Page 17 of Bake You Mine
“Who has a cocktail party on a Thursday night?” Liam asked.
“The sort who start their weekends on Friday, darling,” Gary said. “I’ll expect you both to be camera-ready then, too.”
“I can only stay an hour or so,” Liam said.
“Me, too.” Aubrey slipped on her chef’s pinks.
“That’ll suffice. Let’s get these photos over before Ben blows a gasket.”
Liam turned to find Ben had gone dead-eyed. It was his default expression.
“Your resting dick face has returned,” Liam said to him. “You’ll never have a girlfriend again if you keep it up.” Liam tapped Aubrey on the shoulder before Ben could volley an insult his way. “Let’s stand back-to-back. Standard competitor’s pose.”
She stayed speechless as she came behind him.
“Move down a little, Liam; otherwise, your head won’t fit in the photo since Aubrey’s so short.”
“I’m not short, he’s obnoxiously tall,” Aubrey muttered.
Liam stretched his legs until they were spread wide apart. He was now closer to Aubrey’s height.
“Smile, Aubrey. You remind me of a deer about to meet its fate in front of a ’96 Camry,” Gary said.
Liam chuckled as he’d thought the same thing. He shuffled toward her on the sides of his feet, with his legs still extended. “There’s nothing wrong with being silly sometimes.”
“And smile, the two of you!” Ben circled them. “That means stop with the death glare, Aubrey.” He circled them a couple more times. “Okay, I think that’s enough. Jenny is the reporter assigned to the story. She’ll swing by or call you both for the interview portion. The article will run in Friday’s paper.”
Ben slipped out the door. Aubrey moved away from Liam, rubbing the back of her neck.
“You all right?” Liam asked.
She cleared her throat. “Yeah, I’m fine. I forgot Ben has all the charm of a New York paparazzo. Can we get on with what the challenge will entail, Gary? I have to get back to work.”
Gary clucked his tongue against his teeth. “Very well. Thisfirst challenge, a dinner for thirty-five, will be the perfect way to kick off the festivities. The people I’ve invited are from the elite of both Port Fortune and DC society. They’re discerning individuals who come equipped with expansive palates.”
“Aw, damn, here I’d hoped you’d just rounded up a group of nobodies from the Arby’s parking lot,” Liam said.
Aubrey snorted while Gary let out one of his rapturous laughs. “Oh, you do make me laugh.” He chuckled to himself again. “I want to see how you work under pressure. The oh-so-tiny kitchen here will throw a lovely wrench into the best-laid plans, don’t you think?”
“You’re enjoying this too much,” Aubrey groused.
His eyes twinkled. “Oh yes, before I forget, I want to see new dishes from you both for each course—ones not currently served in your establishments. Each course will have at least two components—one from each of you. I expect to be wowed!”
Of course, Gary would make them jump through more hoops than a lion in a circus. Liam had agreed to endure this foolishness because he had no choice. Maybe his mom could loan him money to help move or make modifications to the current space? Nah, she’d want her French-manicured fingertips in everything. Besides, he would feel uncomfortable asking his mom for that much money, anyhow. She did okay for herself, but since the death of his father, she relied on her salary as a paralegal, his father’s pension, and meager insurance payouts. The family had been tangled up in a lawsuit with the state for years to get the full insurance payout from his accidental death.
Not that money would bring him back. The struggle of the lawsuit was like rubbing salt in the wound.
“It’s not like it’ll take Aubrey that long to come up withdesserts and a couple of loaves of bread. I’m at a disadvantage here.”
“Proof you know nothing about my profession.”
Her eyes lit up with rage, which, no lie, was kinda hot.
“You two creative geniuses can whip up something wonderful on short notice!” Gary dropped a sheaf of papers on a nearby table and a check to cover the expenses. “This comes from the Chamber’s coffers, so spend it wisely and save your receipts.”
Two of Gary’s assistants entered, each carrying a crate.
“Here’s the wines we’ll be providing. Samples will be dropped off by the end of the day. Use those as a basis to create your menu. Let those creative juices flow. I’m excited to see what you come up with!” Gary released another popper on his way out the door.
