Chapter 7 #3
‘Like I said, there’s not much to spill.
It was lovely. We talked for ages, and it turns out we both like Italian food, so went and got some…
The food wasn’t that great, but the company was.
He walked me to my ride, kissed me goodnight, and asked me to message him when I was home safely.
’ She’d messaged Aiden too – but it didn’t seem relevant to mention that to Katie.
‘And was it the perfect Disney kiss with love hearts, tweety birds and fairy lights?’
Mia laughed at her friend. ‘You’re ridiculous.’
‘And you adore me for it.’
‘True.’ Mia sighed. ‘It was sweet.’
‘Sweet? That’s it?’
‘You sound disappointed. What did you want?’
‘Hot. Mind-blowing. Life-changing. Something more along those lines. You deserve all of that and more.’
Mia shook her head, laughing. ‘You’ve been reading too many trashy romances. First kisses aren’t like that.’
‘I think when they’re the right first kisses, they’re just like that… and more.’
‘You know I want to ask now… Was it like that for you and Ophelia?’
Katie was quiet for a while, then looked at Mia.
‘You know what? It really was. I was already falling for her, even though we thought we were “just friends”, but that kiss sealed it for me. It was terrifying, and amazing and sweet and powerful and electric and literally life-changing. The moment my entire life rewrote itself. For the better.’
‘Wow.’
‘Yeah. But I guess “sweet” is a good start.’
‘Well, it’s not a bad one,’ Mia argued.
‘Do you think it’s going somewhere?’
‘I’m seeing him again at the weekend. We’re planning a walk around the hotel grounds.’
‘Sounds very sweet.’ Katie shot her another look.
‘Nothing wrong with sweet. Anyway, I wasn’t the only one on a date last night. Did you have fun with Ophelia? Movie any good?’
‘Yes to the first question, haven’t a clue to the second. I don’t remember much past the first half hour or so.’ She grinned wickedly.
Mia shook her head and went back to her coffee, then fished out her phone when it beeped.
‘Lover boy?’
‘No, just Aiden.’
‘What does he want?’
‘Just asking how my date went.’
She replied quickly.
It carried on going well after the call about Pumpkin Smoochie, thanks. He was very sweet.
Actually it was Pumpkin Snuggles Poochie Woochie. Who is fully recovered, you’ll be pleased to hear.
Mia giggled.
Obviously my greatest concern. Thanks for the check-ins last night.
More than welcome. So, do you think he had Triple D potential?
I’m hoping so. Seeing him again soon.
Sounds like you’re in there, Princess.
She sent him an eye roll emoji – it really was the only appropriate response – before changing the subject.
How’s you?
Pretty good, thanks. Playing with turning my new biscuit recipe into cakes for a job Cheryl’s arranged. It’ll be a busy weekend because it’s a massive job!
You’re a big boy. I’m sure you can handle it. But if you need a hand, I think it’s my turn on the favours front.
Princess sous chef – brilliant!
Another message pinged a minute or so later.
Actually, now you’re dating a Triple D potential, I should probably stop calling you that. Sorry.
It’s fine. But my offer stands if you need help. Even if you did just demote me from tiaras to chef hats.
I think I’m OK, but thanks, Miabella.
Not even close.
Mia giggled.
Damn.
‘He’s got a lot to say for himself,’ Katie commented. ‘Everything OK?’
‘Yeah, he’s just talking baking and winding me up about my Prince Charming hunt.’
‘He’s hardly one to comment. Don’t get me wrong, I adore Aiden – I don’t think there’s anything he wouldn’t do for a friend’ – she shook her head, smiling – ‘but he must be the worst person to date I’ve ever known. And from me, that’s saying a lot!’
‘Hmm.’ Mia looked at her phone again.
Aiden pulled out another batch of cakes from the oven and swore. This was the third tray that had flopped, their golden high points sinking into stodgy lumps of misery.
Getting angry, he turned up his music and dumped the ruined cakes straight into the bin and threw the bowls and trays into the industrial dishwasher to start over.
He was frustrated and flagging badly, and Ophelia’s words about how his energy could – in theory – impact his recipes was a handy excuse to sit down for a few minutes.
But it was a huge mistake. What little motivation he had drained out of him, even though he knew he still had dozens more wedding cupcakes to make.
His phone beeping was a welcome distraction – especially when he saw who it was.
Knock knock.
Not the message he expected from Mia, but he still smiled.
Who’s there?
Winnie.
Winnie, who?
Winnie you going to open the door and let me in?
***
Come to the door Aiden. I’m assuming it’s you, and Cheryl hasn’t developed a sudden taste for classic rock?
Aiden was grinning as he unlocked the door. ‘Hi, what are you doing here?’
‘Just had dinner with my parents and was heading home. Heard the music and thought I’d come investigate. I did try knocking, but…’
‘I guess it’s a bit loud. I should probably turn it down.’ He headed back into the bakery. He didn’t want anyone complaining about him.
‘Oh wow, you’re still baking?’
He hadn’t realised Mia had followed him.
‘The cakes are due tomorrow. I’m bailing out a bride. Hopefully her cake maker is the only one who jilts her!’
‘Got many left to do?’
‘More than I’ve got time for, but what can you do?’
Mia grinned and snapped her hand up to her forehead in an odd salute. ‘Your sous chef reporting for duty. Ready and awaiting instructions, sir!’
‘What?’
‘I’ll help. Tell me what you need.’
‘Haven’t you got anything better to do on a Friday night?’
‘I said I’d give you a hand if you needed it, and from where I’m standing you look like you need it.’ She looked around the kitchen and Aiden grimaced at the chaos. It certainly wasn’t his neatest bake. ‘I could start cleaning. It’s got to be quicker with two.’
‘You might regret offering to help.’
‘Why?’
‘I’ve been having some problems.’ He opened the bin so she could see the carnage. ‘My failure rate has been about a third. They’ve just been collapsing on themselves.’
‘Ouch. What do we do to stop it?’
‘I don’t know. It’s a fairly complex recipe – but that’s more in the herb and spice blend than the bake itself, and I don’t think there’s anything that should cause this…
But obviously something is.’ He felt like his magic was trying to tell him something – that it was influencing his baking and making things collapse – and his shoulder itched like crazy.
But he was too tired to focus properly to try and understand what it all meant.
It was all too new and too weird to try and explain – even in his own head.
‘Could it be the oven?’
‘I don’t think so. Cheryl hasn’t mentioned any problems with it.’
‘Well, it sounds like you need help even more than I thought. Where do I start?’
He should have objected harder, told her to go home, that he didn’t need help – any of his usual lines would have probably worked – but he was so tired and she was already tying up her hair. ‘Some help would be great. Thank you.’
‘You’re welcome.’ She nudged him playfully with her elbow as she headed for the sink. ‘And now I get to learn your secret recipe!’
‘OK. Can you pass the jar marked Sunny Nights?’
‘Do you name all your blends?’
‘Yup. It might be a bit odd, but it makes me smile.’
‘If it makes you smile, I think it’s a good thing.’
‘Bit like me flirting with you then.’
‘Yeah. Used to be pretty good fun.’
‘Right. Phillip. Sorry.’
‘It’s OK.’ Mia nudged him with her elbow. ‘We’re still friends, aren’t we?’
‘Of course we are. You’re stuck with me now… Maudalina?’
‘Glad to hear it. And no.’
‘Dang it.’
‘Have you ever met anyone called Maudalina?’
‘No, but I’ve never met anyone like you either.’
It took them hours, but Mia was still in good humour when the last batch of cakes were put in the oven. She leaned against the counter and rubbed her eyes tiredly. ‘You know, I think the film industry owes me a refund.’
‘I’ve no idea what you’re talking about.’ He yawned, too tired to even hide it.
‘In romcoms with scenes like this, when they have baking montages, it always looks so much fun, with flour and icing sugar being dusted and sprinkled and at least one of them ends up with batter or frosting on their face – in an attractive, cutesy way of course.’
‘You watch a lot of romcoms, huh?’
‘Guilty pleasure. Anyway, I don’t feel at all attractive or cutesy, and I’m certainly not in the mood for giggling and tossing flour about. I mostly just feel sticky.’
Aiden laughed. ‘If it helps, you have batter on your neck.’
‘Of course I do.’ Mia rolled her eyes and grabbed a cloth.
‘I could throw some flour at you too?’
‘Nah, I think I’m all right, thanks.’
They both looked round as the timer went off.
‘I’ve got to admit, I’m a bit scared to open the door.’
‘I’ll do it.’ She opened the double oven and turned to smile at him, almost seeming to glow in the light from it. Every single cake in the tray was perfect: golden, risen into a beautiful dome. Even without being decorated they were Insta-worthy.