I inhale then exhale, centering myself.“The hydrangeas have a lavender buttercream, and the daisy cookies have lemon buttercream for the daisies and lavender for the forget-me-nots.”
Paulie nods.“You made the lavender buttercream?”
“Yes,” I say, dread forming a knot in my stomach.
“It’s the best I’ve ever had.I usually can’t stand lavender because it tastes like soap, but you added the perfect amount—so we get the flavor, but it’s light.”He takes another bite of the daisy cookie.“And this blend of lemon and lavender is so well-balanced.Lemon is a strong flavor, but it’s supporting the lavender, not overpowering it.Good job.”
Now it’s officially Biff’s turn.“You said you wouldn’t pick these flavors, what would you pick for your own shower?”
Finally, an easy question to answer.I smile.“I’m kinda traditional when it comes to sugar cookies.I love our floral designs and would want our regular chilled vanilla sugar cookie dough because it’s a little bit lighter in texture than our no-chill, and I’d want vanilla buttercream.But I’d also have simple cinnamon sugar cookies topped with brown sugar buttercream because they’re my sister Shelby’s favorites.Our grandmother raised us, and she would make them at Thanksgiving, so they’re special to us, and Shelby is special to me.”
I hear Shelby sniffle, but I can’t look her way because then I’ll start blubbering.
“They sound delicious, I hope I get to try them sometime,” Biff says,and the other judges nod.
Dakota steps forward.“Okay, contestants, return to your station while the judges deliberate.”
I go back to our station and look around to see if the cameras are still on.I know our mics are live.
Andie wraps me in a hug.“You did a great job!I’d have gotten so flustered, but you handled it like a pro!A Pastry Pro!”
We giggle at our silliness but stop when Carla steps in front of the judges’ table.
“Contestants, there has been a change in plans.Round one will be a double elimination.”
Gasps ripple through the room like a giant beach ball in the crowd of a concert.
“Round two—at the wedding—and round three—reception ready—are going to be combined into one round that will be held this afternoon after lunch.Our winner will be announced this afternoon, and there will be no competition tomorrow.”
“Holy shit,” Andie whispers.“I wonder what’s going on?”
“No idea.Maybe it was always the plan but they sprang it on us to up the drama?”
Carla turns away from the judges and tells us to come forward as teams.She steps away, and Dakota takes her place.
“Okay, the judges have made their decisions.Are we ready to hear them?”
No.But we nod yes anyway.
Biff must be the head judge because he speaks first.“All of the teams assembled here are so talented and should be proud of their efforts.We considered each team on the quality of their item, adherence to the theme, and frankly, who we wanted to see more from.With that said, the teams leaving us are…”
In the end the bakers with the store-bought puff pastry and unfortunate haircuts and the twin brothers who don’t know what a flower is are cut.Leaving me and Andie, the sorority sisters, and the father/daughter pair.It will be interesting to see how the afternoon goes.But first, lunch.
31
OLLIE
It’s awesome,watching Phoebe do what she loves and what she’s brilliant at.The way she’s comfortable speaking to the judges and keeps her composure with a camera in her face is a skill I wish I had.Even with media training and giving countless interviews, I’ve never felt that level of comfort—or hid my discomfort, at the very least.
I have compassion for the teams that didn’t make it to the next round, but there’s no containing my pride that Phoebe and Andie are advancing.In my opinion, the sorority sisters are their main competition.Samples of the different treats are set out for us to try.Everyone is swarming Phoebe and Andie’s selections like seagulls on the Boardwalk after the last bucket of fries.Lots of “wow” and “OMG, these are so good!”so that’s a good sign.Hopefully, even if they don’t win, this contest will drum up some business for them.
After production removes the microphones from the girls, they join us in the audience.Phoebe walks right into my embrace, and it’s the most settled I’ve felt in days.Between traveling and losing, uncertainty about my future in hockey, and keeping my worries to myself so Phoebe could focus on preparing for today, it’s been a lot.But now that we’re together and she’s okay, I’m okay.Closing my eyes, I rest my cheek on the crown of her head and feel the peace wash over me.It doesn’t matter what else is going on in the world.As long as I have Phoebe, all is well.
“Hey, I want a hug too,” Shelby says from beside me, so I reluctantly loosen my hold.The sisters hug the best they can with Shelby’s baby belly in the way.
Once the hugs are done, we go to the university’s food court to get lunch.We’re the focus of a lot of stares and whispered conversations.It’s unnerving.Of course, I’m used to being watched when I’m on the ice, but I have my uniform and helmet to hide behind.Since it’s Friday and class is in session, the food court is full of a mix of students, faculty, and Pastry Pro-affiliated folks.Everyone is respectfully restrained while we’re eating, but once we start clearing our tables and getting up to go back to the kitchen lab where the contest is being held, we’re approached by people wanting autographs.Not only from the Devil Birds, either.People request Phoebe and Andie’s too.
Daphne, ever prepared for situations like this, pulls out a pack of markers from her purse and hands them out so we’re able to sign what’s put in front of us.Then, like the pro that she is, she expertly wraps up the impromptu autograph session and gently herds us back to where we need to go.
