Page 33 of Stealing Kisses

They worked at a steady pace for hours.

When Baylin stood back to determine what needed to be adjusted, tears sprang to her eyes. Her projects, each one a reflection of her creativity and determination, looked interesting and inviting…amazing, really, layered and staged and displayed in their best light.

“I’m too hungry for tears,” Teddy said, wrapping his arm around her shoulder and pulling her in for a comforting hug. “I believe you mentioned turtle burgers the other day?”

“Not turtle burgers,” she said, elbowing him in the ribs. “Burgers at The Three-Toed Turtle.”

“Can we go? What about the booth?”

“It’ll be fine, and as soon as all the vendors finish setting up, they’ll lock the doors until this evening. Come on; it’s my treat,” she offered.

“I’ll arm-wrestle you for the bill,” he challenged, leading Baylin out of the hotel.

He didn’t remove his arm from around her shoulder.

14

The downfall of any leader

in a sport’s team is when he gets

carried away with his own ego.

Toto Wolff

An hour later, Teddy considered himself a Triple T’s fan. He’d devoured his Sweetheart Special: a double cheeseburger with onions grilled into the meat patties, three slices of cheese — Cheddar, Swiss, and Pepper Jack — and a stack of lettuce, tomato, and pickles sandwiched between layers of mustard and mayonnaise on a homemade bun; an order of onion rings still sizzling from the grease; and a strawberry milkshake served in an icy soda fountain glass, with whipped cream and a cherry on top.

Teddy had finished it off with a fat wedge of chocolate cake, an absolute slice of heaven. Baylin had mentioned a few days earlier that her friend baked at The Three-Toed Turtle on the weekends, so Teddy had asked their server who had baked the dessert. A few minutes later, Anita de la Fuente emerged fromthe kitchen with a cake box in hand and headed straight for Teddy and Baylin.

“I hear I have a new admirer,” she said, setting the box on their table as Baylin rose from her bench seat. The girls shared a hug; it was a treat to watch Baylin light up at seeing her friend.

“For life,” Teddy clarified, extending his hand to meet her. “I’m Teddy Gwenn.”

“Are you now?” Anita replied, volleying a sly smile back and forth between Teddy and Baylin.

“Baylin mentioned you’re a magician when it comes to making desserts; I agree! I’ve never had a chocolate cake so moist and spongy. And the powdered sugar on top instead of frosting is going to be my favorite forever more.”

“Are you sure she didn’t say witch instead of magician?” Anita teased, draping an arm around Baylin. “Either way, I’m happy to put my superpowers to good use. I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

“Do you have time to sit for a second?” Baylin asked, sliding back into the booth.

“I’d love to. And I boxed up an extra cake for Teddy here to take home…gotta keep the fans happy. Isn’t that right slugger?” Baylin moved closer to the wall, and Anita sat beside her.

“Whatever it takes,” he said with a laugh. “Thank you! Between your cake, the white chocolate-covered popcorn Baylin made, and my plan to steal a few of her Valentine’s cookies from the festival, I can have something sweet after every meal for the rest of the weekend. I feel like a kid on Christmas morning.”

“I hated to miss the dance, but I had too much baking left to do… The hotel dining room is packed with food vendors, and I rented a double space.”

At Anita’s mention of the night before, Teddy’s and Baylin’s eyes met. A warm glow colored her cheeks; he couldn’t look away. In a bold red dress and dazzling high heels or wearinga plaid flannel with jeans and tennis shoes, Baylin captivated and attracted Teddy in an undefinable way. His feelings for her resembled a fastball whizzing down the pipe, high velocity and full of potential. Place the sweet spot of the bat on a ball like that, and he’d blast it 460 feet for a grand slam home run every time. What an experience, one Coach Hayes called life-defining…one for which there existed no defense…one Teddy hoped would never end.

“Hello?” Anita waved a hand between them. “How was it?”

“Fun,” Baylin answered.

“Pivotal,” Teddy challenged, eyes still glued to Baylin.

“Yes, interesting,” Baylin added.

“I’ve been to a lot of dances around here, and not one of them was interesting and certainly not pivotal,” Anita declared. “Who all was there? Karl said he and his brothers couldn’t make it; they’re down in San Antonio, competing at the stock show and rodeo. I swear, those boys—” She stopped mid-sentence and eyed Teddy and Baylin up and down. Teddy’d been listening… He truly had. But he hadn’t given Anita his full attention, which was rude.

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