Page 30 of Selling Out
There are a couple of workers standing over an array of spits. But they’re not roasting meat.
“You can’t come to Prague without havingtrdelník,”Austin says.
“Having what now?”
“Chimney cakes.” We step forward, and Austin orders two. They’re spiral-shaped pastries, cooked to golden-brown perfection over the spits, then filled with any number of options.
I pull out my credit card, but Austin stiff-arms me and gives the lady his instead. Sixty seconds later, we’re both armed with toasted, sugar-covered cylinders full of Nutella and cream.
I strategize for a second before going in for my first bite. Melty Nutella and whipped cream are a standout combination on their own, but with this sugar donut-like thing? My heart is officially off the market.
“Good?” Austin asks.
I lick my lips and nod, feeling slightly sheepish about my enthusiastic dive in.
“Glad you’re enjoying it,” he says, reaching for my face.
I swat it away.
He puts both hands up and laughs. “Whoa. Simmer down. You’ve got a giant daub of Nutella on your nose, but hey, you do you.”
I swipe my fingers across my nose, and sure enough, they come back covered in hazelnut cream. “Did I get it?”
He tries to suppress a smile and clears his throat. “Sure. Yeah.”
“Austin…”
“Would you like my help, Mia? Do you need help saying the words?” He lifts a threatening hand toward my mouth.
I pull away and sigh. “Would you please help me get the Nutella off my nose, Austin?”
He grins. “Why, of course, Mia. I will gladly do that for you.” He steps toward me and uses his thumb to wipe the tip of my nose. It takes more than one try, and I feel like a four-year-old. “You really got in there, didn’t you?” He finishes and takes a step back.
“Do you have a better way, oh Master of the Chimney Cakes?” We start walking again, and he holds histrdelníkout, then tears a piece off his, using his fingers.
Why did that option not cross my mind? I justhadto go in like a ravenous pig.
“But hey,” he says, tipping his head back and dropping the piece in his mouth, “there’s no wrong way to eat a chimney cake. And I like a girl who goes after what she wants.”
“I’m sure you do,” I mutter under my breath, pulling off a section of mine.
“Hey now,” he says, rushing ahead and blocking my way by standing in front of me. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
But my eyes are locked on the view behind him.
11
AUSTIN
My heart kicksinto high gear. Mia’s staring at me like I dropped out of her dreams.
Wait, no. It’s something behind me. I turn.
Ah, right. Old Town Square. Understandable. It’s a pretty amazing place.
But still… dang. Got my hopes up there for a second.
I take the opportunity of Mia’s focus on the square to look at her. She keeps her guard up around me, but right now, she’s all wonder and amazement. I’m not on her mind at all. If she was an emoji, she’d be star eyes.
