Page 54 of The Accidental Honeymoon

"Okay, Calla,” I tell her once we’re ready. “Teach me your ways."

She dives in, explaining every step with the enthusiasm of a kid showing off their favorite toy while I try to keep up.

With just the cracking of eggs and measuring of flour, it's already clear that I'm out of my depth. When it comes time to mix the batter, I put the bowl in place and turn on the mixer, full speed. A mushroom cloud of cocoa powder explodes into the air.

"I'm making it rain chocolate!" I shout.

Calla bursts out laughing and accidentally steps on a stray egg yolk. She goes flying. The bowl of sprinkles she was holding goes flying too, and the sprinkles rain down like edible confetti.

"Look, Jay! A rainbow!" she gasps from the floor, laughing so hard she can barely breathe.

I help her up. We salvage what we can of the batter and put a batch in the oven, but the kitchen looks like a war zone. I turn off the camera and lean against the counter. "Calla, can I ask you something?"

"Sure." She wipes chocolate from her cheek.

"Do you think people only hang out with me because of my online fame?"

The question arose this morning when I was scrolling through the comments on the last few posts. The posts heavily featured Calla, so there were definitely some haters in the posts saying that Calla only wants me because she knows that dating me will equal fame.

The comments stuck with me. Because in Calla’s case, they’re entirely true.

Calla tilts her head. "I think... that people are drawn to you because you're interesting and cool. The fame is just a bonus. Who wouldn't want to hang out with you?"

I raise an eyebrow. "Are you hitting on me, Mrs. Rustin?"

She laughs and shakes her head. "You wish,Mr.Nikolakis."

She puts the second batch in the oven, and pulls out the first, setting it on a rack to cool. I turn the camera back on and aim it at the cupcakes. "Calla, these look amazing. I didn't think we'd actually make something edible."

"You have so little faith." She smirks. "But you're right. I did most of the work."

I grab a bowl and start making frosting with a spatula. Calla watches, bemused. "You know, for someone with millions of followers, you'd think at least one would've taught you how to make buttercream properly."

I shrug. "I'm a fast learner. Watch this." I take a glob of frosting and fling it at her. It hits her apron with a splat.

"Jay!" she scolds me, but she's smiling. "This is serious business." She starts frosting the cupcakes, her mood sobering. "I'm really glad you came. The bakery... it's been tough. The profit margin on cupcakes and cookies is so slim."

"Is that why you're getting into wedding cakes?"

"Sort of. But also, I just love weddings."

She turns to the camera and explains how to make rosettes with a piping bag. I watch her. She’s genuine. Relatable.

When she finishes, I announce, "You're a great baking influencer, Calla. That's a thing I just made up. Still, you're teaching me a lot today."

She laughs. "Influencer, huh? Maybe I'll steal some of yourfollowers."

"Having tasted your cake, I don't know why you aren't rolling in money. You're the most talented baker I know."

"Flattery will get you everywhere." She says it lightly, but I can tell she's pleased.

"Your cupcakes are so good, they should be illegal. I might have to call the dessert police."

She blushes and thanks me. I make some more buttercream and offer her a taste on a spoon. She takes it and grins, dabbing a bit on my nose playfully. I laugh and grab a frosting filled piping bag. "Time for the grand finale. I'm going to write 'You're Sweet' on this cupcake." I squeeze the bag. The frosting comes out in a wobbly line. I try to control it, but it's like trying to write with a broken pen.

"I think it says 'You're Sweat'," Calla giggles when I show her the end result.

"Well, you do make me sweaty." I wink.

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