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“Oh, God, no.” Lorelei flicked a hand toward the meadow. “Tonight, the Kitty Kat Rats are playing. Everyone’s dressing up, so I totally blend in.”
Grace hadn’t known that. She’d been so busy, she hadn’t paid much attention to the entertainment, but when she looked around, she could see the singer was right. “I have to get out more.”
With a frown, Lorelei examined the pastries. “Shoot. I got here too late.” She glanced up at Grace with a smile. “We had the best day in the Tetons, though. We saw a grizzly bear.Can you believe it?”
“No, I can’t. That’s amazing. The only wild animals I’ve seen are the bison in the reserve I pass every morning to get here.” Yep. She was definitely taking Jaime up on his offer of help. She had to get out and explore the area.
She softened when she thought of all he’d done for her. Not once had he lied or faked anything. In fact, he’d been surprisingly honest.
Of course he wouldn’t stand near her truck flaunting a date.
Lorelei’s manager came up and peered into a basket. “Ooh, what’s that?”
“That’s a blackberry, lemon, and white chocolate tart.” On top of the lemon curd sat a squiggle of creamy white chocolate and tiny purple and bright blue flowers. “Want one?”
“You bet I do.” The older woman accepted the treat. “It’s so pretty.” She pointed to another basket. “Is that real gold on top of the chocolate ones?”
“It’s edible gold leaf.” And very expensive, so kind of dumb for her to buy it. But she was having so much fun experimenting that she couldn’t help herself. It wasn’t like she’d ever have this opportunity again.
As soon as she got home, she’d be back to churning out croissants, muffins, and turnovers.
Her spirits sank.And here’s the one negative of her summer. What had once been such a joy—working in the family bakery—now felt limited. Stifling.
She didn’t think a special rack in Renzo’s would work, but maybe she could sell them to hotels. Or something. She’d figure it out.
“What should I get the guys?” Lorelie asked. But when her manager didn’t respond, she looked up and followed the older woman’s concerned gaze.
Grace turned to look out the window at the back of her truck. The bassist and drummer from her band were walking to the bus, laughing. Given how the bandmates were together twenty-four seven, it looked normal to her. If shewantedto look for something sketchy, she could say the two stood a little too close. Maybe they had a pinch too much comfort with each other?
“You better watch your back with those two,” the manager said quietly.
“Oh, stop. They’re my best friends.” Lorelei didn’t have a shred of doubt in her tone. “They’re the only reason I’ve kept my sanity in this business.” She turned back around. “Okay, you know what? I’m going to get one of those and one of those. And give me the purple one, too. Wait. Maybe I should try—”
“Hey, can you hurry up?” the woman next in line asked. “I want to hear the lady sing.”
“Yeah, man,” the man behind her said. “You have an awesome voice. It’s even better than Lorelei Calloway’s.”
It took everything she had not to look at the pop star. Instead, she simply said, “Not by a long shot, but thank you.”
Lorelei laughed. “You heard them. Start singing.”
Oh, my God. In front of the biggest pop star in the world?
With everyone looking at her, what else could she do but launch into a song?
The moment her headlights flashed on the cabin, Grace got excited. She couldn’t wait to see him. First though, she needed to shower off the scent of oil, get some dough proofing, and set up her mise en place for tonight’s baking.
She doubted anything was going on with him and the redhead, but she had to bring it up. Because he’d never come to her truck. He hadn’t even looked her way. It was just all so odd.
Her stomach grumbled at the scent of the Mexican food filling the interior of her car. She’d bought it on her way out of the venue, and the whole ride home, she’d been munching tortilla chips. Still, she was starving.
The second after she parked and cut the engine, she unwrapped the burrito and bit into it.Oh, God. Spicy ground beef, creamy, melted Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses, and the heat of diced jalapenos hit her taste buds.
Grabbing her giant canvas carry-all and stack of empty baskets, she took another enormous bite and got out of the car. Mouth full, she came face-to-face with Jaime and a hockey friend. “Oh. Hi.” With her stuffed cheeks, she must look like a squirrel storing acorns.
Meanwhile, Jaime looked like an ad for the NHL. Hair stuck to his forehead, his cheeks were rosy with exertion, and he held a hockey stick. He grinned at her. “Hungry?”
“Guh. I haven’t eaten all day.”
