Page 14 of Her Rock Star's Dark Secret

Another rap sounded on her door, and she rushed to answer it. Alexis stood in her doorway, holding a beautiful, light-purple cake with white icing dripping down the sides. More purple icing decorated the top. Chase stood behind Alexis, and Lauren’s heart jumped into her throat. Chase lookedgood. Too good. The fabric of his t-shirt stretched across his chest, showing off how much time the guy must have spent at the gym. His jeans sat low on his hips, and Lauren found she had to look away.

“Come on in, guys.”

She ushered them into her house. She looked around. The place was a wreck. Her purse was in the middle of the floor where she’d dropped it earlier, and Penny had her dolls scattered across the floor. She sat in the middle of her toys, sucking her thumb with her favorite blanket draped across her lap.

“Sorry it’s such a mess in here.”

“Long day?” Chase asked.

“Yeah. That’s not entirely a bad thing, considering that Saturday was so dead. But I’m exhausted now.” Lauren had wondered if Mrs. Wheaton had already started telling people that Chase was planning to go to the salon. Lauren hadn’t seen that many walk-ins on a Sunday in months.

“I brought you my newest creation,” Alexis said.

“It’s gorgeous. What kind of cake is that?” Lauren asked.

“It’s lavender peach.”

“You can eat lavender?”

“Apparently,” Chase said.

“I have no idea if it’s good,” Alexis said. “Want to try it out with us?”

“You know I can’t turn down a chance to taste test your creations,” Lauren said. It was one of her favorite parts of being friends with Alexis. If it weren’t for the fact that she loved to run, Lauren probably would have put on weight just looking at all the baked goods Alexis brought to her doorstep.

Alexis set the cake on the table, and Lauren opened the cabinets to find plates.

“Penny? Alexis brought us a cake. Do you want to come try some?”

“Cake? Yay!” Penny bounded up from where she sat on the big, fluffy, blue shag rug.

Lauren produced a long knife, and Chase took it from her. Their hands brushed as she passed him the knife, and goosebumps shot up her arm.

Chase cut into the cake and served a slice to each of them.

“Ooh!” Alexis clapped. “Look how pretty it looks inside.” The lavender layers were separated with creamy white frosting. “I just hope it tastes good too.”

Lauren dug her fork into her slice of cake and took a bit. “It’s different,” she said after chewing for a moment. “How did you get lavender into a cake?”

“I bought the secret ingredient online. It’s called lavender vegetable oil.”

“Very cool,” Lauren said.

“So, yay or nay? Should I sell it in the shop?”

“Yay,” Lauren said. “It’s different, but in a good way. Unique and delicious.”

“Chase?” Alexis asked.

“Yay for me as well.”

“Penny?”

“This cake is yucky.”

All three adults burst out laughing.

“Leave it to a four-year-old to tell you how she really feels,” Lauren said.

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