Tyson elbowed him in the arm. The veteran player's eyes were brimming with humor. "Relax. Most people wouldn't expect a pro athlete to be good at baking."
"Exactly," Mr. Mills agreed. "This is an easy way to hopefully grow our fan base and help you gain exposure for your charities and foundations."
His teammates were all signing on and saying yes. And a side bet between a few of them was already taking place. No one else seemed worried. But then again, no one else in the room had experienced clawing their way back from nearly ruining their reputation and their football career. "All right. Let's do it."
Mr. Mills passed out sheets of paper. "The network also thought it would be, and I quote, fun if each player would either call their bakery partner or show up at their stores to surprise them with the news that they're a finalist. You'll find their contact information on this list."
Xavier scanned the list for his name. "I'll be working with Ashley Yates of Bliss Bakery."
Cute name. After the season they'd had, he could use some bliss.
"If you can, make the call or stop by today or tomorrow. The network will be contacting them as well with an official statement. All information will be on Food TV's site by the end of the week." Mr. Mills stood, signaling the end of the meeting. "Thank you, gentlemen. Your commitment to this team hasn't gone unnoticed."
Pocketing the paper, Xavier walked out with Tyson and Everson. "Well, I wasn't expecting that at all."
"I know. I'm just glad Mills wasn't chewing us out for something." Tyson palmed his keys, confident as always. "What's the worst that could happen? We could win some dough, and we get to play with dough for a few days."
Xavier wasn't convinced. "Or we could burn what we're making and set fire to the Convention Center."
Everson tossed a friendly arm over his shoulder. "No publicity is bad publicity, right?"
"Not sure about that." He followed them out of the building and into the spring sunshine. The contact information for Bliss Bakery burned a hole in his pocket and discomfort pricked like a needle along his skin. He wouldn't feel better until he learned more about the baker selected as his partner. Or how she felt about having an extra cook, namely him, in her kitchen.
More than anything, he needed to do well. A win would be a big success for his foundation. That prize money would go a long way, and he needed all the help he could get.
Time would only tell whether taking part in the competition would be a recipe for success or end in disaster.
CHAPTER TWO
The smoke alarm's ear-splitting wail jolted Ashley out of her office. She tore into the kitchen. Smoke billowed out of an open stove, and the choking fog filled the cheerful yellow room. Her sister stood below the alarm, fanning the air with an olive green oven mitt.
Wincing at the deafening chirp, Ashley clambered onto a nearby stool and yanked the batteries from the device. Quiet surged into the room. She peered down at her sister and accepted a hand as she hopped to the floor. "Katie? What's going on? You're supposed to be operating the register."
Katie pushed the bakery's heavy back door open and gulped breaths of fresh air. "There's been a lull for hours, and since the bells hanging on the door will alert us to customers anyway, I came back here. I wanted to surprise you with a new recipe."
Nothing smelled as bad as burnt cookies. Ashley squinted at the charred circles lining the baking sheets. "You succeeded in scaring five years off my life."
Her sister's brown eyes rounded as she studied the mess. "Looks like the jam in the centers ran out of the cookies and dripped onto the oven's coils."
Swallowing a sigh was easier than swallowing her frustration. Of course, this would happen right after she'd finished cleaning the ovens earlier in the week, and right as she was in the middle of trying to pay bills with a dwindling bank account. Stress on top of stress on top of stress. "Fabulous. Scrubbing away this mess will absolutely make my day."
Katie rolled her eyes and then waved Ashley away from the oven. "Relax. I'll do it. I'm the one who didn't keep an eye on the cookies. You need to leave soon anyway."
The reminder shifted Ashley's focus away from the burned bits and worries of needing to purchase new baking sheets. "Did you finish boxing up the cake?"
A nod, followed by a smile, and two thumbs up. "Boxed, bagged, and ready to go. I think the senior center's baking club will appreciate all the sugar flowers. You did a great job."
The image of the baking club elevated her mood. "I love visiting them for deliveries and demonstrations, it's an entire room of instant grandmas."
The phone's ringing interrupted the quiet and set her stomach on edge. The ring used to signify excited customers, but the past few months, it rang less and less, all thanks to the brand new bakery that opened two blocks away. But the finalists for Cakes Against Cancer were due to be announced any day now. If she could get in... and win... she could save her mother's legacy. She raised her brows at Katie and dove for the phone.
But her sister was closer and snatched the receiver. "Bliss Bakery... Hi, Mrs. Somerton. Have you decided on an idea for Chrissy's sweet sixteen party? Yes, I understand... I hope we'll be able to help you out next time. I know you've got a big anniversary coming up... I see... Goodbye."
Ashley clutched the counter. Their customers were dropping faster than a hot pot from an uncovered hand. "Seriously? She's been talking about having us make Chrissy's sweet sixteen cake for years."
Katie sighed and set the receiver down. "All of Chrissy's classmates are using Blackstone's Bakery for their parties, so Chrissy
