AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I swallow hard, then remember I’m on a job interview. What was the question again? Celebrities. “Yeah, we did the cake for Ethan and Thea Taylor’s wedding. It was pretty short notice, since they had a quick engagement. But his mom Rhonda was there, and so were Lucas and Amy Carter.” I don’t mention that my best friend is Luna Jones, whose sister, Ivy, fainted on one episode of True Trophy Wives, but he seems impressed enough.
“And why are you here, in Brookhaven?”
“My parents moved here after I graduated from high school.” I smooth my hands over the cover of my notebook, trying to find the balance between oversharing and giving enough information. “They heard about this storybook town and decided it was perfect for them.”
Mason nods, like this isn’t so unusual.
“They had me later in life, so they’re a little older. I wanted to come live with them, so I could spend as much time with them as I possibly could.”
He watches me carefully again, and I try to keep my composure. I don’t know what he sees, or what he thinks, and he’s not giving me much indication. “I wasn’t expecting you.”
I sigh. My one shot at baking in this town, and the interview was a bust. What a disappointing waste of time. “I know, and I’m sorry about the mixup—”
“No,” he says, cutting me off. “I wasn’t expecting someone who was actually so…accomplished. You seem so young.”
I shrug. “I’m twenty-four. And you’re only, what, early thirties?” I know exactly how old he is: thirty-one. I did my research before coming on this interview. But it would be creepy to say that. Just like it would be creepy to say that he smells like chocolate and has the physique of Chris Hemsworth.
“Something like that,” he says. And just like that, the smirk is gone, his hands are back on the desk, and he’s all professional again. “I suppose I could use someone to work the front. But I don’t want anyone messing with my baking.”
I frown. I’m not here to be a receptionist. I want to help in the back, learn what I can from his experience, and maybe show him how much I know. I really want to hone my skills and take my baking to the next level.
Instead, he’s treating me like I have zero baking experience and need to run a cash register for him.
But maybe I can slowly convince him that I’m worth more than that. If I can just bake a couple things for him, or take over small things in the kitchen, then maybe he’ll slowly trust me more.
“Do you accept?” he asks, interrupting my thoughts.
It’s my turn to study him now. This gorgeous man in front of me is about to be my boss. Is that a good idea?
But what other option do I have?
“I accept, under one condition.”
He raises a brow. “And what is that?”
“I want to work in the kitchen. I don’t want to be stuck in the front, working the cash register like someone who doesn’t know butter from margarine.”
The smirk is back. “And I don’t want some inexperienced baker messing with my recipes.”
“Inexperienced?!” The word flies from my mouth before I can hold it back.
“Just because you worked for a few months making fancy cakes for celebrities doesn’t mean you have the finesse it takes to work here.”
“Oh, really?” I cross my arms and sit back in the chair. “I’ll prove it.”
He blinks a few times. “What does that mean?”
“I can prove that I know what I’m doing. Test me. Do whatever you need to convince yourself that I know how to bake. Because I know that I’m the real deal.”
I can see him clench his jaw, then he nods once and stands up. With one hand extended toward me, he simply says, “Deal.”
I look up at his offered hand, telling myself I’m up for this challenge. I stand up and put my hand in his. Wow. Just putting my hand in his sends warmth throughout my body. I hope my cheeks aren’t burning as red as they feel. Rein it in, Madeleine! I look him in the eyes, shake his hand once, and say, “Deal.”
It’s on.
Chapter Two
Mason
