For the Love of Cake (15 page)

“Why is that?” Maya toyed with a Styrofoam cup still half full of lukewarm coffee. Though she didn’t want to drink it, she was grateful to have something in her hands. Otherwise, seeing Shannon’s nervous expression, she might give in to her urge to reach across the table and cover Shannon’s fidgeting hands.

“You won your season. And I can’t even begin to list all of your accomplishments since then.”

“None of that is new since we last spent time together,” Maya said a little too sharply, disappointed that Shannon focused on her professional achievement.

“I know you’ve been judging my work for almost two weeks now, but without the others as a buffer, it feels more personal.” Her voice shook a little as she said
personal.

“It could be,” Maya said without even thinking.

Shannon leaned back in her chair, and Maya could feel her withdrawal in proportion to the increased distance between them.

“What’s wrong?”

Shannon shook her head slowly. “Sometimes it feels like you’re so focused on
me
that it’s almost too much. But then you say something like that and it doesn’t seem genuine—like it’s all a game and I could be any woman sitting across from you.”

Maya leaned even farther forward, stretched her arm, and brushed Shannon’s knuckles with her fingers before pulling back. “You’re not any woman.” She suspected the tingle in her fingers could be soothed by touching Shannon again and nearly did, but she wasn’t sure the caress would be welcome. And since they could be interrupted at any moment, she didn’t trust herself to stop at a touch. When Shannon didn’t respond, she waited a beat longer to let the tension between them ease a bit, then changed the subject. “You took a big risk scrapping that first batch of icing.”

Shannon shrugged. “It wasn’t good enough.”

“You’re right. But your end product really was amazing.”

“Thanks. I needed to sell the most, desperately.”

“Why’s that?”

“I wanted you.” The openness of Shannon’s statement contradicted the distance she’d purposely put between them moments ago.

“Desperately?” This time she dropped her voice, letting her own desire infuse the words so Shannon couldn’t doubt her sincerity.
I wanted you.
Maybe Shannon hadn’t intended it to sound like a come-on, but the visions her words brought forth could easily seduce Maya. She imagined Shannon whispering them to her in a darkened room as they moved against each other.

“I mean—I wanted to learn from you.”

If not for the tremor in Shannon’s voice that matched the one vibrating within Maya, she might have believed Shannon’s hasty correction. Desire made her honest when she said, “I didn’t think you’d pick me.”

Shannon lifted one shoulder in a half shrug. “Maybe I want to win more than I want to avoid you.”

“Wow, if you keep up the glowing compliments, I’m going to get a big head.”

“Seriously, you’re an amazing chef. I would have kicked myself later if I’d chosen anyone else.” Shannon’s expression grew serious and she said, softly, “It had to be you.”

“Shannon—”

Though she wasn’t certain what she wanted to say, she wouldn’t get a chance as Hugh strolled into the room whistling to himself. “Okay, ladies, you’re up.”

As he walked them back toward the kitchen, Hugh told them to relax and interact naturally. Several cameras would film them and the editors would cut something together later, but the producers wanted it to look like a casual conversation rather than something rehearsed. He asked only that Maya demonstrate an advanced technique and Shannon ask a lot of questions.

Maya stood beside Shannon, their shoulders close enough to touch, though very carefully not making contact. She rolled her eyes at Shannon as Hugh described his desire to have her come off as a starry-eyed amateur to Maya’s seasoned-professional status.

“So, how would you like to spend our time together?” Maya asked once they were in front of the cameras.

Shannon blinked, as if completely caught off guard by the question. Maya replayed her words in her head and wondered if Shannon’s mind had gone someplace intimate. She enjoyed the idea that Shannon might have sexy images playing in her head at that moment.

Shannon recovered, clearing her throat, and said, “When I found out I’d—for lack of a better term—won you, I thought about your strengths versus my weaknesses.”

“And what did you come up with?” Maya struggled to focus on the scene, for she certainly was playing a part. But the little twist in Shannon’s voice when she said she’d
won her
made her think about submission in ways she never had before. She managed to stop from actually shaking her head in an attempt to clear the visions.

“I would love some pointers on sculpting. You’re brilliant at it.” Shannon actually batted her eyes, obviously enjoying playing the fresh-faced fan.

“Okay.” Maya went to the area of the kitchen they referred to as the pantry and retrieved several pieces of modeling chocolate. “What should we sculpt?”

“You’re the
artist,
surprise me.” Shannon grinned.

Maya shot her a warning look, lest she think she could push this little game too far. She picked up a piece of the dough-like chocolate, then rolled it between her hands. “It’s one thing to have a vision. The important thing is how you translate it to your medium. What does your customer or, in this case, the judges or the audience, see?” She worked the chocolate like clay, pressing and pulling quickly.

“Hopefully, they see what’s in my head.”

“It’s not enough for them to see it. They have to buy into it.”

“Is that really what it’s about—business? What about the art?” Despite the bitterness in her tone, Shannon kept her eyes on Maya’s hands.

“Once you start getting paid to do it, it’s never purely art again. On any level from a small-town bakery to a five-star restaurant, it’s about getting return business. Otherwise, who’ll ever get to sample your art?” Maya paused to gesture in the air and their eyes met briefly. When she returned to sculpting, Shannon once again watched her work. Maya slowed her hands, in part so Shannon could study her technique and because the scrutiny made her nervous and she didn’t want to get sloppy.

“That seems jaded. Isn’t there a balance?”

“Of course there is. I’m not suggesting you compromise your quality or originality.”

“So, how do you hold on to your creative energy?”

“Well, that definitely becomes more work. Decorating doesn’t feel as pure as when I first started out. On the other hand, success isn’t all bad. I’ve met and worked with so many talented, passionate chefs, that I often get inspired by what I see others doing.”

“Yeah? Like what?”

“Wayne Neighbors, for example, is a master in sugar work. That’s an area I haven’t trained much in. I fully intend to pick his brain about technique before this show is over.” Maya smiled. “Actually, if I’d been in your shoes, I probably would have bid on some time with him instead of me.”

“With three very talented mentors, it was a difficult decision for sure.”

“That’s a diplomatic answer.” Maya leaned closer and winked at Shannon. “But it’s just you and me here, you can tell me—I’m your favorite, aren’t I?”

Shannon turned her head, just the tiniest bit, before she stopped herself, but she’d obviously been about to look at the nearby camera. Maya laughed and Shannon jerked her eyes up to her. She smiled and tapped her shoulder to Shannon’s. “Relax. Let’s have a little fun. You won a challenge today. The competition is stressful enough. Enjoy this small victory before you throw yourself back into it.”

“Okay.” Shannon nodded, but she didn’t seem convinced.

“Okay. I can see you’re not going to take my advice on that. So, if you don’t hear anything else—this show is a blessing for the competitors. You each have your talents, and you get the opportunity to explore areas you might never be brave enough to expand into in your daily lives.”

“Because, as you said, it’s all about business in the real world. And no one is going to buy my cakes if they look like I spent the morning practicing but not quite perfecting new techniques.”

“Exactly.” Maya set her finished figurine on the cutting board in front of her.

Shannon bent and examined the miniature woman, who wore a chef coat and had her hair pulled back in a tight bun. Though she had tiny features, the lift of her brows and the jut of her chin as she stared back bore a resemblance to Shannon.

“Wow, she’s great,” Shannon said.

“Your turn.” Maya grasped her wrist and pressed a ball of modeling chocolate into her hand.

“I can’t possibly do anything like that—”

“Haven’t you been listening? You don’t have to do it like I do. Take what I did and do it your own way.” She released Shannon, then shoved her hand under the hem of her chef coat and into the pocket of her jeans, hoping to ignore the tingling Shannon’s skin left behind.

*

“So, you have a daughter.”

Shannon nodded. “Regan. Actually, she’s about to give me my first grandchild.” She glanced down at the lump of chocolate in her hand that, so far, she’d been unable to manipulate into accurately reflecting her vision. She raised it in a helpless gesture. “I don’t think I’m much of a sculptor.”

“You think too much. Just keep working and talk to me about this incredible revelation that can’t be true. You’re going to be a grandma?”

“Yeah. I can just now say that without wincing.”

“I wouldn’t have guessed you were old enough.” Maya grimaced. “Wow, did that sound as much like a cheesy line to you as it did to me?”

“A little maybe.” But apparently she was a sucker for a cheesy line, which was completely out of character for her. Now, for some reason, Maya’s self-deprecating grin and the sparkle in her eyes charmed Shannon. Whereas she’d chastised her earlier for being insincere, now she practically melted under Maya’s attention.

“Sorry, that was beneath me. I’m usually so much better at this.”

“At this?”

“Never mind.” Maya diverted her eyes, and though she never looked directly at the camera, Shannon got the impression she’d just become aware again that they weren’t really alone.

Apparently, Shannon needed the reminder as well. She didn’t want to be known as that woman who flirted with the mentor presumably to get ahead on the show. She knew Maya’s reputation, so why did she suddenly feel so ready to be another in the line of people, both men and women, who had fallen for her beautiful face, amazing body, and unattainable magnetism?

“Tell me about your daughter,” Maya said.

Shannon took a breath to adjust to another quick subject change. “She’s smart, beautiful, funny—”

“And you’re not biased at all.” Maya smiled. “So obviously she got all of those traits from you. What did she get from her father?”

Shannon narrowed her eyes. “Another line?”

“Only if it works.”

“I’ve never met her father so I don’t know what she inherited from him.” Discussing Regan’s biological parentage was only slightly less uncomfortable than examining the disappointment Shannon felt realizing Maya was probably just playing a familiar role.

“How does that work? It seems like you must have met him at least once.”

“Regan is adopted—from foster care when she was eleven.”

“Now that you mention it, I think that was in your application file.”

“I, uh—I couldn’t have children.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

“It was ages ago.” She glossed over the shadow of loss that snuck in whenever she talked about the past. “Anyway, I guess that’s why I’m so excited about my grandchild. I missed out on the cool baby stuff with my daughter—all the firsts. I’d come to terms with never experiencing them. Do you know what I mean? Ah, you’re so young. You’ve got plenty of time to have your kids.”

Maya nodded stiffly, her lips pressed in a tight line. Though she didn’t move, Shannon could feel her withdrawing, and the stories about Maya’s abortion last year flooded Shannon’s mind. Anger rushed through her, making her own body go rigid—that someone could throw away a child as if it were nothing, that the Maya she’d been getting to know could do such a thing.

She set her piece of chocolate down next to Maya’s. The little statue of a dog didn’t come close to the quality of Maya’s, but measured against any of her previous sculpting attempts, she saw some improvement.

“Well done.” Maya sounded polite but detached.

“Thanks.” She kept the same careful distance in her voice while wishing their time together hadn’t been studded with reminders of who Maya really was.

*

“Okay, ladies, we’ve got what we need. Maya, there’s a car out front to take you back to the hotel. Shannon, your driver is having car trouble. I’ll let you know when we get another one here.”

“She can ride with me.” Maya didn’t really want to spend any more time in Shannon’s company tonight. But she could hardly leave her waiting here for a backup car.

Hugh shook his head. “We’ve called for another transport.”

“Come on, Hugh. She’s got to be here early tomorrow. Who knows when that other vehicle will get here.”

“Maya—”

“Fine. Let her take mine. I’ll wait for the next one.”

“I can wait. It’s fine,” Shannon said.

“Hugh.” Maya lifted her chin, watching conflict scatter across his expression. He wouldn’t make her wait, but he didn’t want to let them ride together. “If you’re worried about unfair advantage, I’ll promise we won’t talk strategy.” If the tension that had fallen between them was any indication, they might not talk at all.

He sighed.

“It’s a five-minute ride.”

“Fine. I’ll cancel the other car.”

“Thanks.” She barely glanced at Shannon before she took off toward the door. “Come on. Before he changes his mind.”

In the parking lot, she held open the door to the SUV and waited until Shannon climbed in. Though she was irritated she didn’t have to forget her manners. She circled and got in the other side.

“All set,” she called to the driver as she clicked on her seat belt.

Shannon stared out the opposite window as the vehicle rolled out of the lot and onto the street. The tension in the car filled the space between them, pushing Maya toward her side of the seat until her shoulder pressed into the cool metal of the door. She wanted to ease the strain but didn’t know how without explaining why she’d shut down. She’d seen the judgment in Shannon’s expression and could guess what Shannon assumed she’d done. But as usual, when faced with an unfair assessment of herself, she fell into a defensive posture. Only, now, with Shannon, she wanted to explain—wanted to see if the truth would change Shannon’s mind about her. But despite that desire, the words remained locked in her throat behind a dam of fear.