"Are you sure we're supposed to be down here?" she whispered.
I shrugged. "We're not going to cook anything and mess up the space. I just want to set up a nice photo. Besides, it's good publicity for the bake-off."
I posed with the giant stuffed gingerbread man that came in the box. I had done my makeup to look like Christine Baranski inThe Grinch,and I struck campy poses.
"These are cute pictures," Nina said. "I'm jealous of how many followers you have."
I didn't answer because I was doing an over-the-top suggestive photo, sticking my butt out and caressing my boobs, which practically heaved out of the too-tight outfit.
"I hope you aren't putting that online," she said with a laugh. "It's a bit much. Your cup of peppermint mocha runneth over."
I adjusted my boobs as someone coughed.
"Jack," I said, my hand half stuck down the front of my dress.
"I don't think you're supposed to be in here," he said.
"I'm just, you know, Instagramming for the debut episode tonight," I said, hastily smoothing down the dress. "We want everyone excited."
"I'm sure they will be," he said, blatantly staring at me.
I adjusted my top again. He made me frazzled. The dress was too tight, and I could see my chest heaving with every breath. Jack’s eyes flicked down to my chest then immediately back up to my face.
"Can I help you?" I asked.
"I'm trying to come up with an idea for an attachment for one of the Platinum Provisions cooking tools."
"More sprinkle shapes!" Nina said. "And more icing tips."
"We have a few of those already in the works," Jack said. "We were looking for one more that could be a Christmas-themed attachment on another device. We're trying to market them for the holidays."
I thought for a moment then said, "I know exactly what I want!"
I dragged him upstairs to my room.
"Let me just find my equipment; I have it under my bed," I said, crouching down on all fours to fish out the box. "Sorry, it's stuck. Hold on."
"I'll wait outside for you," Jack said. His voice sounded ragged.
"I hope you're not sick," I said, my voice sounding slightly muffled. "All that time out in the cold without a coat isn't good for you."
Nina collapsed in laughter as soon as Jack left the room.
"What?" I said, blowing a lock of hair out of my eyes.
"You are such a tease!"
I gave her a confused look.
"Bending over on all fours wearing that," she cackled. "You should have seen his face! If I hadn't been here, I think you two would have been making fondant."
"Oh," I said. I looked down. "Oh! Good gracious, that’s not…I didn't mean to flirt with him!"
"It wasn't even flirting," Nina said. "It was more like foreplay."
I groaned. "I swear that isnotwhat I meant to do."
"We'll give him a minute to get that raging boner under control."
