Page 6 of Stolen Goods
“Be just as successful, I’m sure, if a lot less entertained.”
Edie rolled her eyes and opened the door. “Think about the vacation,” she called over her shoulder. “But maybe not until after the summer rush…or the fall rush…winter might work—”
“Good night, Edie!”
“Night!”
The doorclicked closed.
Addy breathed a sigh of relief.
No more questions.
No more concerns.
For the rest of the night, she could be exactly where she wanted to be—surrounded by sugary frosting and sweet daydreams, her favorite combination.
But first—
Addy rushed to the sink and cleaned the dried buttercream from her hands. Then she pulled her phone from her purse, snapped a quick photo of the flowers she was working on, and loaded her ongoing chat with her friends—Jo and McKenzie. During the workday she usually felt too guilty to chat, but after hours was fair game. Addy sent them the pic and tapped out a quick caption.
@Sprinkle-Ella: My happy place! Flowers for days!
Oddly enough, though she’d never met either of them in real life, those two girls felt like the truest, most authentic friends she’d ever had. They’d first started talking about two years ago in an online forum for fans ofThe American Baking Championship, and when it got canceled (way before its time, if Addy had anything to say about it), Jo had started a group chat to keep the conversation going. At first, they discussed the contestants, the items from the show, how the runner-up had been absolutely robbed. After a while, things shifted to swapping recipes, giving advice, and sharing an honest love of all things dessert. McKenzie was a pastry sous chef at a high-end restaurant in New York. Her take-no-prisoners attitude perfectly fit her hometown. And Jo, well, Addy didn’t know much about Jo, except that she lived near the beach, worked for her father, and dreamed of owning her own bakery one day. Really, what else did she need to know?
To Addy, they were a godsend, the only escape she needed from this small town where most of her friends had either packed up and left, or settled down and had families, leaving her in a strange sort of limbo. Jo and McKenzie understood her passion, her drive. They understood her in a way Addy didn’t think anyone else but Edie really did.
@TheGourmetGoddess: So. Much. Pink.
Addy snorted. McKenzie and Grace would get along fine, two peas in a pod.
@Sprinkle-Ella: I know!
@TheGourmetGoddess: I didn’t mean that as a good thing.
@Sprinkle-Ella: I know!
@TheBakingBandit: Your buttercream technique is flawless! I need lessons :)
An image of Jo’s kitchen came through the screen—a mess of flour and dough and sugar. Addy barked out a laugh and then hastily covered her mouth to hide the unladylike sound. Jo’s baking was all creativity all the time—high on the enthusiasm, but low on the precision. She was the complete opposite to someone like McKenzie, a French-trained pastry chef. Addy liked to think she rested somewhere in the middle, the peacemaker between two extremes.
@Sprinkle-Ella: New kitchen? The counters look different.
@TheBakingBandit: OMG, I didn’t tell you guys I moved! No longer by the beach. I’m living in Washington, DC…with a man…who is a neat freak…help!
@TheGourmetGoddess: My condolences to his sanity.
@TheBakingBandit: I’m a great roommate.
@TheGourmetGoddess: Sure…
While McKenzie laid on the snark, a wide grin spread across Addy’s face to match the warmth gathering beneath her skin. There was nothing she loved more than love…and the color pink.
@Sprinkle-Ella: So exciting!! Congrats!
@TheBakingBandit: Thanks! It’s been great! And best of all, I’m working on trying to open my very own bakery! Maybe just a food truck to start…idk, still planning the logistics. But I have a TON of recipes I need you guys to taste test!
@Sprinkle-Ella: Yes! Send them along!
