Page 85 of Bake You Mine
“You should have gone to bed earlier,” Aubrey said. “I know you didn’t, because I saw your post about the competition going up at ten p.m. last night.”
“Then you were up, too,” he teased. “Worried much?”
“No, I’ve accepted my fate, and I’m just trying not to think about it. I saw it at two a.m. when I posted mine.” She showed him her phone, with a photo of a serving tray covered with a dark cloth, and a question mark drawn on it.
See what #hotchef and I get up to this morning on Sunrise Washington!Tune in at six thirty if you’re up that early, or if you’re a late riser like Liam, catch it on their website after.
Aubrey was better at marketing. Maybe once the competition was over, she could give him some pointers on more than just marketing.
“I got a decent amount of sleep. It’s just not natural to be up this early.”
Thankfully, the conversation turned to someone Gary and Aubrey knew who Liam didn’t know, so he took a nap until they arrived.
Upon arrival, a producer showed them to the culinary stage, far enough from the leading news desk that they could start prepping without interrupting the broadcast.
“I’m sorry they have me on first. It probably makes more sense that way. Savory before sweet,” Liam whispered.
Aubrey’s smile was bright, but false to anyone who knew her. “I’m trying not to think about it. It’ll be over before I know it.” Her eyes were glued to the digital clock above the news desk, the time spinning fast as it counted seconds.
“I believe in you, Aubs.” He glanced around to be sure no one was looking before he squeezed her hand.
She stared at their intertwined hands before squeezing back. “I have to get back to work. That’s one way to keep my mind busy.” She pulled away and walked to the other side of the kitchen set.
It was super weird being here. His mom was a hugeSunrise Washingtonfan, so it’d always been on in his house growing up.
He double-checked to ensure everything was ready for the first step of the recipe while the other parts of the process either chilled in the fridge or waited on the shelf under the worktop. Now, all he needed was for the next half hour to pass quickly.
Shortly before going on-air, Chip and Diana walked over tointroduce themselves. They were consummate professionals, if a little bit too perky for Liam’s taste, especially this early in the morning.
“Try to forget about the cameras. Easier said than done, I know, but keep your eyes on us, okay?” Diana said.
“Why do I feel those words are directed at me?” Aubrey asked.
Diana smiled. “I’ve been on live TV for over a decade. I can always spot a nervous one. You’ll be just fine.”
Aubrey exhaled. He hoped she’d soon see she had nothing to worry about.
“I doubt hot chef is nervous,” Chip said. “With a face like yours, no one will be looking at what you’re cooking anyway, heh?” He gave Liam a good-natured slap on the arm.
Chip was a jovial guy who meant it all in good fun, but his comment underlined why Liam hated all the hot chef BS.
Once the time came, Liam’s nerves settled. Maybe it was his acceptance of the inevitable or that his caffeine had finally kicked in. He aced all six parts of the pasta brain. Only one more part, and the torture would be complete.
“So, you can buy this mold at a craft store or online, Liam?” Diana asked.
The brain had just come out of the oven, and once it had cooled, he needed to remove it from the mold.
“That’s right, Diana. I bought my mold online. You don’t need one as long as you make sure to use the proper amount of noodles to hold the shape and have a good-sized bowl. This mold is big, so you wouldn’t need it if you don’t have a large family like I do and you’re not feeding an army.”
That earned him a well-timed laugh from Diana and Chip.
“And now for the grand reveal!”
Liam put on his potholders and picked up the mold, with acake stand underneath to hold the brain. It turned upside down with no problem, and Liam breathed a sigh of relief.
Until he lifted the mold away, and instead of revealing a brain-shaped tight cluster of udon noodles, a sloppy mess of ingredients slid off the stand and landed on the countertop with an unceremoniousflop.
The sight of Liam’s blank face broke Aubrey’s heart. Mainly because she’d been so worried about humiliating herself, she’d never considered Liam having a mishap of his own. He could still win if he acted quickly. She nudged the producer standing next to her.
