Page 46 of Third Time Lucky

As we put the finishing touches on our dessert, I can’t help but steal glances at her, admiring the way her brow furrows in concentration and the gentle curve of her smile as she tastes our creation.

‘Oh my god. We made this?’ she asks.

She raises a glass of wine – poured by Audrina – her slim fingers curled around the stem. I watch as a lock of her hair falls over her eyes, interfering with the curious gaze she’s fixed on me. I want to know what’s going through her head – it frustrates me in ways it shouldn’t. Why doesn’t she want me to know what she said to Aaron? Why can’t we explore those feelings?

‘Incredible,’ Lucy moans, the taste test she just did mesmerizing her.

Audrina saunters over to our station, a curious expression on her face.

‘How are we looking here?’ she inquires, peering at our cake mix with interest.

‘Wait until you taste this,’ Lucy declares confidently. ‘It’s to die for.’

‘Yes, I know,’ Audri says. ‘I created this recipe.’

‘Oh!’ Lucy says, suddenly wiping a hand on her apron. ‘I’ve seen your show. You’re amazing. I’ve always wondered how good your food would be and now I know – heavenly.’

‘Remind me to give you a cookbook before you leave.’

‘I’d really be on Mitzi’s good list if you come home with one of those,’ I tease.

‘Then I’ll buy two! One for me and Madi. Perhaps I’ll even ask to learn how to use the oven in the coming weeks.’

Yes, please.

Audrina shoots me an approving nod before turning to Aaron and Madi’s station. ‘And how about you two? Any breakthroughs yet?’

Aaron wipes his brow dramatically and exchanges a sheepish glance with Madi before shooting a glare my way. ‘We may have hit a small hiccup or two, baking doesn’t appear to be either of our specialties – but it’s nothing we can’t handle,’ he replies with a grin, trying to exude optimism despite the setbacks. ‘Because of that, I officially designate Ash as our baker at the restaurant. If you win, I’ll get you a trophy.’

I pour our mixture into a baking pan that Lucy prepped and slide it into the top space of Audrina’s double oven, feeling confident in our creation. Lucy stands beside me, wiping her hands on a dish towel as we wait for our dessert to bake. The scent of chocolate and vanilla fills the air, making my stomach growl in anticipation.

‘I think we nailed it,’ she says, her eyes sparkling with pride.

‘Audrina won’t know what’s hit her.’

* * *

As the timer chimes, signaling that our dessert is ready, I carefully pull it out of the oven. The cake looks perfect – moist and fluffy with a golden crust.

‘You know what frosting is good for, right?’ Aaron asks Madi, not at all under his breath, dabbing a bit on her lips and then sucking it off in a way that feels dirtier than ever.

‘Mmmm,’ Madi moans, licking her lips once they’ve parted. ‘We could use that when you make up for being a bossy asshole later.’

‘Ooh-hoo-hoo,’ Aaron moans gleefully. ‘You hear that big brother, she wants frosting in our make-up se?—’

‘Stop,’ I say firmly. Shutting him up. Is he trying to get bitch slapped?

Lucy glances at me, an awkward grimace on her face. ‘Ew.’

She laughs nervously.

‘Don’t even pretend like you’re not jealous,’ Aaron calls out. ‘We’re adorable.’

‘You’re cringy,’ I say.

He flips me the bird.

After what feels like hours of intense concentration and teamwork, both teams are done and we present our desserts to Audrina for judging. She surveys our cakes with a critical eye, her expression unreadable.

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