Page 56 of Whisking It All

“I think you guys are onto something,” Gavin said. “I can’t think of anything like what Tessa described ever happening in Aster Bay.”

“But there is precedent,” Tessa chimed in. She recited the facts as though it were a school book report. “There’s a little town near Brighton in England whose beach is a popular tourist destination. People specifically visit in the winter to see the clear views of the bay. They even do yoga on the beach year-round.”

“And you’ve been there?” Jamie asked.

“No, I’ve only read about it,” she said, looking longingly out over the ocean. “Someday I’ll see those white cliffs for myself.” She turned to Jamie, the brilliance of her smile catching him off guard with its warmth. “For now, I’ll settle for a gingerbread sandcastle in Aster Bay.”

“I might be able to get some kids from the art department at the university to take care of that part.”

“That would be great,” Tessa said, beaming.

“I’ll get Baz working on the logistics with Norm and the fire marshal and make sure we’re a go,” Jamie said.

“Perfect. I was just telling Tessa that I was late because I was meeting with Natalia. She’s rallied half the businesses in town to come up with ideas for add-on programs and packages we can offer, all targeted to people in their twenties and thirties, both singles and couples. I think this just might work.”

“Of course, it will work,” Tessa said, handing one of the towels back to Jamie. She shot a conspiratorial glance at Gavin. “Tell him the best part.”

“What’s she talking about?” Jamie asked.

“Those photos of you two that Kyla took last week are getting a lot of attention on social media. They’re even getting some local media attention from some of the outlets that we hadn’t been able to connect with yet,” Gavin said.

“Okay. Why do I feel like you’re about to say something I’m not going to like?” Jamie asked, a weight sinking into his gut when Gavin had the good graces to look abashed.

Tessa laughed, drawing her bottom lip between her teeth. “I hope you’re not camera shy.”

“What is she talking about?” he demanded.

“Sunrise in the City wants to do a feature spot. They’re the biggest morning news show in New England and they’re offering us a prime spot the week before the festival.”

Understanding dawned. “No. Absolutely not. It’s bad enough you’re going to put my face on billboards.”

“Not just you,” Gavin clarified. “You and Tessa both.”

“Why don’t you do it? You’re the marketing genius,” Jamie said.

“They don’t want me, Jamie. They want—”

“Chef Broody McHottie,” Tessa said, practically bursting with barely contained laughter.

“Chef who?” he asked, turning again to Gavin.

“That’s what they’re calling you online,” Tessa said.

Gavin cut in, attempting to soothe Jamie. “Authenticity sells. You can’t get more authentic than the two of you. That’s the deal with the network—you and Tessa on Sunrise in the City. We couldn’t ask for better PR.”

Jamie glanced between Gavin and Tessa. “I’m not getting out of this, am I?”

“Nope,” she said, popping the ‘p,’ and he was momentarily distracted by her lips.

“I’ll take care of all the details,” Gavin promised. “I’ll prep the talking points, help you pick out your outfit, book the hotel rooms—”

“The what?”

“We have to be on set by five a.m. Gavin said it would be easier if we stayed overnight in the city the night before,” Tessa said.

He met her eyes, memories of the last time they’d been in a hotel together racing through his mind. Her eyes dipped to his chest, to where the water had molded his shirt to the contours of his pecs and abs. She swallowed hard and met his eyes again, a question there that he didn’t want to answer.

She cleared her throat and looked away, her cheeks blazing. “You know what? Silly me. I forgot that I’m meeting the rest of my new staff at the bakery to go through the opening day recipes.”

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