Shoot. Why was I always doing that? I needed to get a grip.
Hunter didn’t seem to notice my discomfort. He gave my waist a gentle squeeze before dropping his hand. “Don’t tell anyone, Char Char, but I’m rooting for you.”
I giggled nervously as he walked away, warmth blossoming in my stomach. Apparently, my nerves about this contest were getting to me. It was a good thing I was already set up and ready to rock this thing. But as I went to test my mixer, it wouldn’t start.
“What the...?”
It had definitely worked at home before we packed it up. I followed the cord down to the ground and found it laying uselessly next to the power strip.
“Oops, was that yours?” Sarah plopped a bag of flour heavily on the table next to me, sending a white poof into the air. Her dark eyes glittered as she gave me a sugar-sweet smile. “I would’ve asked before I unplugged it, but you were too busy colluding with the judges. I guess that’s what you have to resort to when you’re in dead last place.”
I ground my teeth and narrowed my eyes at her before reaching down to plug my mixer back in. Sarah couldn’t talk about colluding. She had been the one shamelessly flirting with Hunter just last night. It was nice to know it had gotten her absolutely nowhere. Apparently, Hunter was smarter than that. He could see through her fake eyelashes and plumping lip gloss.
And yes, I was in dead last. Ms. Gentry’s nervous-nelly son had passed out score sheets this morning. No surprise to anyone that Sarah had dominated the little sheep-washing demonstration from yesterday. Perfect points for poise and helpfulness. The only thing that gave me a little pleasure was seeing Geminia’s score coming in right after Sarah’s. But I was going to have a lot of ground to make up for if I wanted to stand a chance in this competition.
And that all started with this brown sugar pie.
“Thank you, everyone, for attending.” Ms. Gentry stood in front of the tables to address the dozen or so people who’d come to watch. She wore a floor-length black dress that was only slightly different from her previous two. I imagined her closet was full of them. One after another. A closet full of disapproving darkness that would swallow you up just for looking at it wrong. “We’ve got seven young ladies here, creating seven different recipes. I’m sure today’s winner will prove to be worthy of the Rodeo Queen title. Our prestigious judges are saddled up and ready for a feast. Ladies, you have two hours, so let the baking begin.”
Hunter sat at a rectangular table facing the contestants. Graham was on the other side, with a big, burly guy wearing a permanent scowl in-between them that Ms. Gentry introduced as Rhett. Hunter grinned at me and then rubbed his belly as the contestants began to rush to open their ingredients. I returned his smile and then redirected my attention to the recipe. No more getting distracted by boys.
First up was the crust. I could handle that. I’d mastered the art of crushing graham crackers in preschool.
This was going to be easy.
The butter, brown sugar, and graham cracker crumbs all combined together to make a gorgeous crust that came out of the oven smelling like heaven. After that, I poured the batter that I’d carefully mixed into the shell and then popped it back into the heat for another half hour. When I’d said Mom’s recipe was foolproof and quick, I hadn’t been lying. Even better, it gave me time to check on the competition.
It seemed that I’d picked one of the simpler recipes to make for the contest. A girl at the other end of the row was wrestling with a rolling pin and looked about ready to burst into tears. Geminia had flour all over her face and hair. Two other contestants hadn’t even finished making their filling. Only Sarah looked as cool as a cucumber, carefully placing hearts on top of her apple pie that she’d cut out of the pie dough, not a speck of flour or dough on her frilly black apron.
Perfect, once again.
“Done so soon, Lottie?” Sarah asked, her dark eyes glinting as she glanced up and caught me watching her.
I grinned and lifted myself up to sit on the clean table. At least I had speediness on my side. “Perfection doesn’t have to take all day. That’s why I only spend five minutes in front of the mirror each morning.”
The slight disapproving purse of her lips was almost funny. That was, until she looked up at me and smirked, murder in her eyes. “Do you also put your makeup on in the dark? Because that might explain why you look like a drag queen today. You really should let me teach you how to do your eyeshadow someday. I’d be happy to help.”
Heat filled my cheeks. I wrapped my arms around my waist, trying not to give in to the desire to wilt under her insults. Sarah was a master at mental sabotage. She’d spoken just loud enough for me to hear her clearly, but not loud enough to alert Ms. Gentry standing only two tables over. Not that Ms. Gentry would do anything if she found out. I had the feeling she was a grown-up version of mean girls like Sarah Claiborne. She’d probably take her side.
There was no use sticking around to take her verbal assault. Sliding off the table, I wandered around the perimeter of the arts and craft building to eventually join my mom, Lexi, and Beth still sitting in folding chairs in the audience. Lexi and Mom were engaged in a very animated discussion about the art of hair teasing. Beth had her air pods on and was still glued to her phone.
“Done, baby?” Mom asked as I took the seat next
