Page 37 of Her Rock Star's Dark Secret

“I mean, if you plan to come back in town sometime. I know you’re busy with your music.”

He hadn’t thought about future trips to Maple Creek, but he didn’t see why he couldn’t. He’d stayed away to avoid having to see his parents, but he was having such a good trip he was considering making it more of a regular thing.

They sat down to eat, and the dinner was a big hit with everyone, even Penny, who ate all her vegetables.

“What do we have for dessert, Alexis?”

“Let’s take this to the bakery. I have some apple pie cupcakes I need to be tested. I’m not sure how the flavors blend on this one. It’s turning out a bit too much like a muffin.”

“Apple pie cupcakes?” Penny questioned. “That sounds yummy to me!”

“Do you want to go try them out?” Alexis grabbed Penny’s hand.

“Yes!”

“Then let’s go, girly girl.”

“You earned it,” Lauren told her. “I’m so proud of the way you ate your vegetables.”

Penny smiled with all her teeth showing. “Chase cooked them very yummy.”

“I’m glad you liked them.” Watching the smile on her face made him want to cook for her all the time.

They went down to the bakery, and Alexis pulled out the cupcakes from the back. Lauren and Penny sat at one of the round café tables with Chase. Alexis pulled out some plates and set a cupcake on each plate.

Alexis stood in front of them like she was on a cooking competition show, explaining her creation. “Each cupcake features cinnamon and sugar blended with chunks of apples in the batter. They are topped with whipped cream frosting.”

“They look divine.” Lauren rubbed her hands together in anticipation. “Let’s dig in, guys. This is going to be fantastic.”

“I hope so.” A little wrinkle appeared between Alexis’s eyebrows. “I’m not so sure about them.”

Chase bit into his cupcake and chewed thoughtfully, thinking about how the flavors blended. “I give it an eight because I feel like the cupcake is a little too heavy.”

Lauren chewed with a thoughtful expression. “I give it a nine. It’s amazing. The cinnamon and sugar and butter are just right. There’s only one thing I’d change. The whipped cream frosting is a bit too sweet. Maybe try it with less sugar next time.”

“Mine is yummy!” Penny took another huge bite, smearing frosting all over her hands and face. Chase laughed to himself. Lauren would have a time trying to clean all that frosting from Penny.

“This is great feedback. Maybe I’ll chop up the apples a bit more finely next time. And I’ll try it with the sugar cut back. Thanks, guys. This helps a ton.”

They finished up their cupcakes, and Lauren said goodnight to Penny. “Alexis is going to put you to bed tonight. You can play with her for one more hour, and then you have to go to bed. Okay?”

Penny nodded solemnly. “Okay, Mommy.”

“Be good for Alexis.”

“I will. I promise.” She threw her arms around Lauren. “Bye-bye.”

“Ready to go?” Chace glanced over at Lauren.

She nodded, her cheeks turning pink.

“By the way, you look amazing tonight.”

“Thank you.” The pink on her cheeks deepened, and he smiled. It was cute that she was acting all embarrassed. It made him feel better about the butterflies dancing in his own belly.

“My car is parked out back.”

He led her to the Camaro he’d rented.

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