Page 20 of Finally
“I…” Jack’s normally smooth voice cracked and he cleared his throat. “I don’t—” Before he could finish his sentence, the instructor spoke.
“Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome back to Baking for Beginners. This is our last class: Elegant Desserts. Let’s get started!”
An hour later, they were both bent over their workstation counter, staring at what looked like a round brownie.
“How much longer?” Jack asked.
Gray glanced at his phone. “We’re halfway there.”
“So thirty more seconds?” Jack adjusted his oven mitts. “You put the plate on top and I’ll flip it over.”
Laughing at Jack’s exuberance, Gray set his phone face up on the counter, picked up the white plate, and hovered it over the cake. “Ready.”
“Okay good. We don’t want to wait too long or the lava will dry.”
“I’m pretty sure that instruction isn’t warning about a delta of point five seconds.”
“Grayson McClellan, take this seriously. I’m hungry.”
“We need to remember to feed you snacks before this class. That metabolism of yours is something else.”
“It has to have been a minute by now.”
“Go time!” Gray said, playing along. He placed the round plate on top of the cake and held both hands up. “Make sure you don’t drop it when you do the flip.”
One hand on the side of the baking dish and the other pressing on the plate, Jack shifted his gaze up to Gray’s. “Why would you say that? Now I’m worried about dropping it.” He glanced down at the plate and bit the side of his lower lip. “Let’s switch jobs.”
“Nope.” Gray shook his head and smiled at an adorable Jack. “Too late. I’ve already done my part. It’s all on you to get us past the finish line. Don’t let us down.”
“Gray,” Jack said, his tone a warning.
“I don’t want to worry you, but I’m pretty sure we’re over by at least thirty seconds at this point. If you don’t get to it right now, we’ll be eating a rock.”
Jack glared at him.
“No pressure though.” Gray grinned.
“Fine.” Jack took a breath and then raised his hands, flipped the baking dish over, and set the plate on the counter. “Done!” he threw his arms up in a flourish.
“You have to take off the hot pan, otherwise it’ll keep cooking.” Gray picked up his phone and held it out to Jack, showing the timer. “Tick tock.”
“I’m going to retaliate for this harassment,” Jack warned.
“Doubtful. You’re sweeter than this lava cake.”
Jack carefully wrapped his mittened hands around the cake pan. “Don’t underestimate me, Grayson.”
“I’m the last person who’d ever do that. I know you way too well.”
“Uh huh. Likely story. You’re just trying to avoid my wrath.”
“Make sure you pull it straight up or the cake will crumble,” Gray said. “No pressure.”
“That’s it. You’re not getting any.” Jack peered down at the dessert and slowly wiggled and raised the baking dish.
“Are you talking about the dessert or…” Gray arched his eyebrows meaningfully.
“Gray, I swear to God.” The pan cleared the cake and Jack let out a relieved breath. “We did it.”
