AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He couldn’t resist saying what Lauren was thinking. “She brought us burnt coffee when we make the best café con leche in town,” he whispered.
“She was being thoughtful.”
He cocked his head to the side and took another Oscar Award winning sip. “If you say so cariño.”
In the kitchen, Jenny had perched on a stool next to the stainless steel worktable at the center of the kitchen. Lauren smiled. She was every bit the California dream.
“I have something for you to try,” Lauren announced as she strolled across the kitchen.
“How was Pride?” Jenny asked, resting her elbow on the table. “I’m sorry I couldn’t make it. You know I don’t do so well with this humidity and those crowds.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t come over when I finished last night.” Lauren retrieved the covered glass container she’d left on the warming tray. “I was so tired I passed out on the couch as soon as I got home.”
“No worries. I understand.” She smiled and took Lauren’s hand as she approached. “I missed you though.”
“Try this.” Lauren held up a small, air fried croquette. It was one of several new creations she’d been working on for months.
Jenny took a bite and nodded. “It’s good.”
“It’s vegan,” she explained with pride.
“Cool.”
“That’s it?” Lauren chuckled. “All I get is an it’s cool? I made plants taste like a traditional ham croqueta. Aren’t you impressed by my alchemy?”
“Sorry hun.” Jenny winced. “I guess I’m just not a big croqueta person.”
Lauren clutched her chest. “How can you say that? You wound me. Croquetas are the single best food in the world. They can literally be anything. Sweet. Savory. Big. Small. Baked. Fried.”
Jenny pulled her in and wrapped her arms around her waist. “I love how passionate you are about this stuff. It’s so cute.”
“Cute?” Lauren chuckled. “I guess I’ll take that.”
Jenny’s green eyes shone. “So you never told me about Pride. Was it a raging success?”
Lauren pulled back. “It was pretty good. I got a ton of good feedback on my experimental stuff. Even though everybody always asks for the classics.” She popped the rest of the croquette in her mouth and brushed her fingers on her pants to get rid of the crumbs. “If Sylvia Campos hadn’t been twenty feet away from me the whole weekend it would’ve been perfect.”
“You two.” Jenny shook her head as she rolled her eyes. “I don’t know why you’re always at each other. Like seriously. Who cares about some old competition or whatever.”
“It’s not me!” she shot back defensively. “It’s her. She’s the one that can’t let things go. And just for the record,” she started, unable to let her words go uncorrected. “It’s not a competition. Our great-grandfathers were partners until hers betrayed mine and took off with our recipes to become our competition.”
“I know, babe. I’m sorry.” She pulled her back into her arms. “I didn’t mean to be glib.”
Lauren eased into her arms. “That’s okay. I’m so excited about getting into The Whitney Food and Wine Festival. Even having to see Sylvie’s face there can’t ruin it.”
“And yet, here you are mentioning her again,” she replied with a smirk.
“It’s unfortunately festival season. I’m going to see her everywhere for months.” She groaned. “It’s a curse.”
“Why don’t you just send someone else? You don’t have to be out there in the heat getting all gross.”
“It’s my chance to connect with people, you know? No one is going to sell the business like I will. It’s more than just dishing out pastelitos and trying out new things. That’s my chance for people to connect my face with the Pastry King instead of my parents.”
Jenny’s eyes glistened as she gazed up at her. “You’re so freaking hot.”
Lauren laughed. “Oh, yeah? Well, I think you’re pretty hot too.”
“If only I felt as strongly about freelance writing as you do about the bakery.” Jenny rested her head against Lauren’s chest.
Guilt tugged at Lauren’s heart. After a year of long distance dating, Jenny had moved to Florida. She insisted that it wasn’t just for her, but Lauren didn’t believe her. To move, Jenny had given up her job at a local magazine to work remotely.
“Dinner tonight?” Lauren asked before kissing the top of her head. “If you come over, I’ll cook.”
Jenny squeezed her tight. “There’s nowhere I’d rather be.”
