Page 28 of Half Baked

“Of course,” I agree. After all, nothing else would make sense.

Chapter 13

Poppy

Peering at my reflection in the display glass, I scrunch my hair and release. My loose, lived in tresses tumble back down around my face in a way that I finally like. I managed to style my beach waves to look effortless, but nothing about today has been effortless. There’s a new dress clinging to my body, and while I hesitated to spend money that I don’t really have, I do feel more confident now that it’s on.

The pale blue fabric is adorned with a vintage floral print, and the pleated tiers that fall from the waist dance with every move I make. Adjusting the wide strap on my shoulder, I smile at the reflection. Like my hair, my goal for this dress is to look put together, yet breezy.

I want to appear as if this opportunity isn’t going to make or break all my dreams.

Smearing on my favorite peony pink lipstick, I purse my lips. From the outside, I’ve achieved a breezy appearance. On the inside, I’m shaking like a leaf.

We’re scheduled to start shooting in half an hour, and I need to use this time to manage my nerves. For me, the best way to do that is to feel prepared.

I unfold the checklist from my purse and walk along the prep table, ensuring that everything I’ll need is out. Rolling pin, tart pan, measuring cups, I continue down the list until I confirm that each item is accounted for.

Next, I run through the script Tara sent over. She had described the talking points as suggestions. But given that any question is fair game, they feel more like a pop quiz for which I’m about to fail.

“Wow,” a familiar voice breathes.

Hayden stands in the doorway, his eyes wide.

“You’re early,” I reply, frantically checking to see if anything on my outfit is out of place. He won’t stop staring, so I run my hands over my dress again. What did I miss?

Crossing behind the front counter, he comes to a stop before me and tilts his head down until I meet his eyes. “You look amazing,” he assures me softly. His words settle my frantic hands but manage to increase my racing heart.

I take a deep breath and let my attention skate over his off-white, linen button-up, and the top two buttons that are undone. It gives him that patented “refined yet relaxed” look that screams Hayden Thompson. It’s the exact look I strived to attain—yet seems commonplace for him. Surveying his creased, twill pants next, I reply, “And you look like you just stepped off a J. Crew set.”

“Are you saying I look handsome enough to be a model?” He grins, taking another step towards me.

“Save it for your close up,” I snort, dropping my attention back to the script.

“You didn’t deny it.”

I ignore him, flipping to the next page of questions. Was she hoping to ask all of these today? And why are so many focused on the fireman in the room?

“Poppy.” He interrupts my train of thought. “Will you tell me what about this is making you nervous right now?”

“Why are you so sure I’m nervous?” I snap.

“Because you pick at your lip when you’re nervous,” he tells me, reaching for my hand and pulling it down from where I am doing just that.

I didn’t even notice I was doing it. But Idonotice that he’s gentle as he keeps my hand in his.

“How do you know that?” My voice is just above a whisper.

“Because you have a habit of stealing my focus whenever you’re around. I also know that your eyes get a little wild—in a cute way—when you’re working out a new idea. Which is currently happening. Are you getting in your head about what to say today?”

I open my mouth, but no words come out. Instead, my brain is entranced by the way he’s dragging his thumb back and forth across the back of my hand.

I’m not sure what has gotten into him these past few days. And I’m even less sure why it is causing me to grip his hand tighter—as if Hayden is my lifeline.

“My lovely stars,” Tara greets us as she bursts through the door. Her eyes quickly settle on our intertwined hands. “Look at you two,so cute.”

I snatch my hand from Hayden, not wishing to have her playing up an angle that doesn’t exist.

“Good to see you again, Tara. You remember Hayden,” I offer hurriedly.

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