Comments start flying.
Chef is back.
WE MISSED NAKED BAKING
Is Shay there????
I chuckle and knead the first stick of butter into the sugar. “She stepped out—coffee run. Threatened my life if I started the live without her, but here we are. Living dangerously.”
I glance at the clock.
Perfect timing.
She’ll be home as soon as the cupcakes are done. Hopefully, before she even has a chance to glare at me for starting without her.
“But listen. Today, we’re making a special red velvet dessert and have an announcement. But not until Shay is back.”
I wink.
“So let’s get baking. Because my special someone’s coming home soon, and I need these ready for her.”
The class flies by. It always does. Time bends when I’m baking. One minute, I’m cracking eggs; the next, everything smells like sugar and heat and home.
I finish folding in the remaining dry ingredients until the batter turns silky and glossy. The batter smells like sweet vanilla—just like Shay.
I scoop it into little paper cups and slide the tray into the oven. Timer set, heat rising, golden promise in the making.
I glance at the camera again, winking. “Alright, team, here’s the plan. Shay’s coming home soon, and I need these cupcakes ready before she even knows what’s coming. So we’re racing the clock, making magic, and—” I pause, grinning—“this is an announcement you won’t want to miss.”
Comments explode:
What announcement???
SHAY IS GOING TO DIE!
Spill it, Chef.
I laugh, shaking my head. “Patience. You’ll see. For now—get ready to witness the perfect Saturday class.”
We make the whipped cream frosting as the cupcakes bake. I add a little beet juice to color the whipped cream a blush pink.
When the timer dings, I pull the cupcakes out. They’re golden and sweet-smelling.
“I’m just going to stick one in the fridge to cool down so the icing doesn’t melt off when I apply it.”
My fingers are shaking.
Excitement. Nerves. It all knots tight in my gut.
Fifteen minutes later, the front door opens. The quiet click I know better than my own heartbeat.
My whole body goes still.
Chat explodes.
IS THAT HER??
Hi Shay.
