Page 83 of Touchdowns and Temptations

“Like what?” Cara asks and I smile.

“Next week is a big game for our high school team. It's for the Tennessee high school championship finals. I'll get her a table there and she can sell her cupcakes.”

“That's a great idea!” Cara exclaims and kisses me. “You're the best.”

“I know,” I reply cockily as the young owner sets two plates and a bottle of water in front of us. It's way too much. I certainly couldn't forgive myself for not giving her something in return.

“These are the current bestsellers,” she says. “A raspberry with Oreo cookies and Kinder chocolate. A friend of mine was an au pair in Germany and brought some of this chocolate back. Try it.”

“Before we do,” Cara says. “I'm Cara and this is Noah. And you are?”

“I'm Hannah,” she says, “Nice to meet you. Try it.”

I grab one of those kids' chocolate cupcakes and take a bite. Cara takes the raspberry one.

“Would you... like to try the one with Jack Daniel's whiskey?”

“Sure,” I say and she disappears again. I turn to Cara and grin at her. “And?”

“Wow,” she says, “you have to try this one.” She holds her cupcake in front of me, and I take a bite.

“Eww,” I say, tightening my mouth. “Too sweet.”

“Nonsense,” she keeps eating with delight. “And yours?”

“They're really great,” I reply. “They have some really interesting chocolate in Germany.”

“Do you like it?” Hannah asks excitedly. “Here's the one with Jack Daniels.”

She puts it down and smiles at me.

“How long have you had the shop?” I ask.

“Just three months,” she explains, “I trained as a pastry chef and this was my big dream.”

“That sounds expensive,” Cara speculates and Hannah nods.

“It is,” she says, “the rent for the shop, the loan I had to take out for the kitchen appliances, and finally the weekly groceries. But I'm not complaining. It's my big dream.”

“That means you need advertising, right?” I ask, taking a bite of the Jack Daniels muffin. Hannah nods and takes a cupcake as well.

“Advertising is always good,” she replies, “to make me better known.”

“The Tennessee High School Championship semifinals are in two weeks,” I explain. “I could get you a booth there.”

Hannah's eyes light up, and she looks at Cara. She smiles at her.

“Really?” she asks, “That... that's not necessary.”

“About four thousand people are coming to the game,” I continue to bribe her. “If only half of them buy a cupcake...”

“Oh my God!” she squeals. “But... that... I can't pay in advance. It'll be too expensive.”

“I'll take care of it,” Cara says, and Hannah looks at her in surprise. “Send me a list of all the ingredients and everything you need. I'll pay for it.”

“But ... but I can't accept that.”

“Yes, you can,” my friend continues unperturbed. “I'm happy to do it.”

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