Imagine that.
“Harper?” Dave prompts.
“I’m in the process of writing a cupcake cookbook,” I blurt out. My face gets warm, and then my neck and chest follow. It’s not a pleasant sensation.
“If Sadie and I won the bake-off, it would prove that I have the skills to succeed. I could take my share of the prize money and put it toward starting my business.”
Sadie looks at me, apparently surprised by my answer.
“Do you think you and Sadie can win?”
I square my shoulders to the camera. “There are many talented bakers in the competition, but I very much doubt any are as tenacious as I am. Sadie and I have an excellent chance of winning.”
Dave gives me a guilty smirk and reads the next question. “Viewers are speculating that there is something between you and Mason. Could you please tell us about your relationship?”
“There’s nothing to tell.”
“Full answer, please.”
I sigh, resisting the urge to roll my eyes. “I expected Mason to be arrogant and narcissistic, but he seems level-headed and down-to-earth. He’s been kind to all of the contestants, myself included.”
Dave cringes and shoots me an apologetic look as he reads the next question. “Do you think he’s handsome?”
“Seriously?” I demand.
Dave gives me a helpless shrug.
“What kind of response do you want me to give you?” I growl. “Do you want me to say that Mason is even more handsome in person? That his eyes are truly gray—the exact color of storm clouds in winter or some such nonsense? Fine. He’s handsome, all right? At first, it was disconcerting to be in the same room. He’s funny and charming, and when he smiles at you…”
I lose my train of thought, and to my chagrin, I realize I’ve gone too far. Abruptly, I close my mouth and refuse to go on.
Sadie looks at me like I’ve sprouted another head, and I fidget, wishing I had answered differently.
“Uh…” Dave blinks at me and then hurries to read the next question. “Do you think your new friendship with Mason could prove to be your downfall in the competition?”
“No.”
“Full answer, please.”
“My being acquainted with Mason will not prove to be my downfall in the competition.”
Dave doesn’t mention my change in wording. He shuts off the camera and stands. “Thank you, ladies. That’s all we needed.”
If nothing else, I’m sure my interview will make Tammy happy.
I squeezethe very last bit of royal icing out of the piping bag. “Little more,” I beg. I don’t want to make another whole batch for five cookies.
We made it past another elimination. Emery and Davis went home. They had a rough time in the kitchen on Friday, and I know they’d been worried all weekend. The stress is unreal.
“How’s it going?” Sadie asks from her side of the workstation. She’s dipping sprigs of rosemary in a pasteurized egg white mixture and then coating them with a fine layer of sugar. They’ll sparkle like ice crystals when she’s finished.
“I ran out of icing.” I’m already measuring out the ingredients for another batch.
Today, we have to make a cookie wreath. Sadie and I decided to play it safe with a basic butter cookie recipe so we could put more time into decorating. I hope that was a good decision.
Chrissy and Christy went with a gingerbread-house type dough, but I’m not sure that was wise considering we’ve already made ginger cookies. However, last time I walked by their station, I saw the cutest collection of gingerbread elves and one tiny 2D workshop. They’re using their two hours well.
I didn’t expect them to do poorly in this competition though. I’ve seen pictures of the cupcakes they sell in their bakery, and the two obviously know their way around a piping bag.
