Page 74 of Perfectly Grumpy

“I have faith in you,” she says. “You rescued me from a charley horse earlier.”

“You know, a charley horse has absolutely nothing in common with the gluten structure of cake,” I point out.

“I know. But you’re so good at everything. You always have a plan, even when I don’t.”

I finally let her pull me to standing before I step closer, just a fraction. “Oh? And what, exactly, makes you so sure I have a plan now?”

She opens her mouth, but then she blinks—like she just realized how close we are. “I don’t,” she murmurs. “But I know you. You never do anything without thinking it through first.”

“Do you think we can actually avoid total humiliation in the process?” I ask, smirking.

“I don’t know,” she says. “But I think we can have fun.” She takes my hand, fingers sliding between mine with surprising naturalness. “As my boyfriend, of course.”

I don’t pull away. I don’t even flinch. We walk out of the room, her hand in mine, and I wonder how much of this is still pretend—and how much I’m going to regret finding out.

TWENTY-FIVE

lauren

While Tate was busy overanalyzing the chemistry of baking on our way to the kitchen, I had a better idea. Why waste time with science when we could call in reinforcements? So, in a moment of desperation, Tate and I text Jaz and Sloan for a crash course in last-minute baking tips. At this point, winning is a long shot, but if anyone can offer us a miracle—or at least prevent us from poisoning my entire family—it’s those two.

Me

Emergency baking help needed! I signed Tate and me up for some kind of bake-off challenge for my Family Olympics, and I don’t even know how to turn on the oven at the lodge.

Sloan

Please tell me Tate’s wearing an apron.

Tate

Focus. We need actual tips and a recipe.

Jaz

My chocolate peanut butter cake is to die for.I’ll send the recipe.

Me

Last-minute advice?

Jaz

Step one: Don’t burn anything.

Sloan

Step two: If you do burn something, scrape off the top and pretend it was intentional.

Jaz

Step three: Butter. It solves everything.

Tate

That’s it? Butter and lies??

Jaz

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