I lift a finger to cue the commercial cut but freeze when I hear a glorious voice call out my name. Well, not my name, exactly, but something close to it.
“G’day, Lady G.”
At first, I think I’m hallucinating because Jude’s halfway to another country by now. But then I spot him weaving through the crew, tall, certain, that glorious half grin at his lips. He walks up to Patty, pries Jinxy from her grip, and pats Patty’s wilted shoulder. “Off with you, Dove,” he murmurs.
The moment my champion’s eyes meet mine, all is right with the world once more. Mr.Numero Unoon myLove ‘Em Dearly Listshowed up for me. Again. Does this mean he missed his flight?
“You almost forgot to introduce your special guests,” Jude says as he walks around the counter to join me.
“Right,” I say, noting the delighted oohs and awes of the set crew. My confidence kicks back in because, yeah, Jude’s here forme, folks.
“You guys might know him as Channel Foodie’s Culinary King,” I say, “but I simply call him Jude.” My heart nearly bursts because he’s giving me that look. The one that makes me feel safe, cared for, and even adored.
“And let’s not forget this handsome little feline, Jinxy. Doesn’t he look festive?” I lean in to rub his little head, and Jinxy gives my chin a long, luscious lick. “I love you, too,” I say.
I take the cat so Jude can wash up, and we ease into a playful banter as Jude follows my instruction to make the cookie dough.
“That reallywaseasy,” Jude says while sliding the baking sheet into the oven. “When does this pistachio cream come into play?”
“I’m glad you asked,” I tell him. “I’ll hand our little helper over to you and get washed up.”
“I just noticed something,” Jude says as Jinxy lifts his chin proudly. “These booties and matching bowtie are pistachio green.”
“You’re right,” I say. “His grandma made those for him.”
“Eh? Let’s give Granny a wave back at home, shall we?” Jude waves Jinxy’s paw up and down, but suddenly, the smile falls off Jude’s face. He pins his lips over his teeth and turns his nose as far from the cat as he can manage.
Oh yeah,Jinxy has a little problem this morning.
I fight back a grin. “Come over on this side of me,” I say, hoping to give him some fresh air. “That way, Jinxy can get a good view.” I walk through the process of making the buttercream frosting, keeping the mixer on low so as not to drown out my voice.
When it’s time to add the pistachio cream, I note that it can be made from home if viewers can’t get their hands on it. Once the frosting is all but finished, I grab the food coloring and hover it over the bowl.
“I think we’ll come back around now,” Jude says, voice tense as he hurries back to the opposite side. And that’s when I’m hit with the odor I caught in Mr. Bruce’s office.
Oh, no.Jude is gasping for air. The color is draining from his face. Jinxy happily licks Jude’s jaw.
Hang in there,I muse, but suddenly Jude’s eyes grow wide, and he gives into a gag loud enough to startle me.
I stiffen. “Are you all right?” The question comes out in a humorous tone; I know how affected he is by smells, and this one is toxic.
Jude shakes his head. “It’s just uh…I think Jinxy has the stinks-skies.” He chuckles, but it’s cut short with another gag. This one’s louder and more violent, too, causing his shoulders to flinch forward.
I cringe guiltily. “I forgot to warn you about that.” I can’t help but laugh as I drip a few drops of dye into the frosting. The crew is chuckling now, too, which tells me that viewers at home are doing the same.
“Jinxy’s adjusting to a new diet,” I explain. “I’ll switch you out, and you can finish the frosting.”
As he surrenders the small animal, Jude fights back another gag and rushes over to the sink. “I’m okay,” he declares, pumping excess amounts of soap onto his hand.
More laughter spills over the set.
I rub Jinxy behind the ears and explain to the audience. “You might not know this, but the Culinary King has an overactive gag reflex.” I glance over my shoulder. “How you doin’, mate?”
Jude is sniffing the suds like his life depends on it. “Mm hmm,” he manages.
I catch eyes with Patty, who hasn’t moved from her spot. She’s wringing her hands and twitching her face, and I’m pretty sure she’s chanting a spell under her breath.
Not today, Satin.
