Meet The Coach

Lesson 8: Make A Recipe For Love

Lesson 8: Make A Recipe For Love

The Clara incident didn't repeat itself after that day, not with her or any other of Carter's flings. It had been a week since then and it was one day before the fundraiser. Nearly everything was done. Today was the last day of preparation. Two of us will bake. Two will go to the printers and check if all the applications and leaflets are ready. And two will go down to the location of the fundraiser and pick out our station. We were allowed a day off school because of the preparations but to be fair school had practically finished anyway.

I tied my hair back into a bun. It felt weird, after a couple weeks of not wearing it, it almost felt that without the bun I was someone else. Or maybe just more myself.

I gathered all of my cooking utensils. I had already made a list of ingredients to be bought, I just had to go to Sandy's and wait for them to arrive.

I waved my Mom goodbye and made my way to the Cohen residence. I pressed on the doorbell and within 30 seconds the door opened. "Ah, Bree! What a pleasant surprise darling! I'm guessing you're here to bake?" Lee greeted. I nodded and smiled in response.

"Yes, Lee. I suppose company whilst baking helps. Are staying or...?" I said politely. Lee shook her head and glanced at her watch.

"I'm due to go to work soon hun. Just waiting for a friend to pick me up," she answered. I nodded once again. I entered the house and went towards the kitchen. It was empty. I placed my equipment on the island and waited. I examined the room. It was surely at least twice the size of my kitchen, a big enough space for two bakers to not clash. There were dark table tops and pine cabinets with perfectly placed bits and bobs that made the place feel like home.

"Oh, Bree you're here! I was sure I heard your voice!" Sandy greeted. She came into the kitchen, not at all looking as if she was going to bake.

"I am here with all my cooking utensils, ready to cook. Why don't you look ready?" I replied. Sandy smiled a smile which insinuated that she was going to say something we both knew I wouldn't like. "Please Sandy, don't tell me that..."

"Sorry, Bree but it had to be done and if I was being honest out of Carter and me, he's the better baker." You know how your life is supposed to be a big canvas and you're supposed to paint yourself a whole lot of colourful, happy days? Well, it looks like Sandy has the palette and she is the artist because I don't see a lot of colourful, happy days.

"But that's not fair. I thought you said the arrangements were convenient for everyone!" I whined.

"It convenient for everyone," Sandy said. "I'm with Hudson, Jack is with Hailey and you are with Carter."

"I'm beginning to think you hate me."

"Bree calm down. It's only a couple of hours... I'm sure it says somewhere that baking can strengthen the bond between two. And you know he's not that bad. You went to the same camp. You have something to talk about." I didn't want to consider Sandy's points and we both knew that I’d be spending a lot more than a few hours with Carter.

What happened to say that I should try and be his friend?

"Fine."

"See. You won't regret it and I'm sure you'll have fun. Just don't get into a food fight. We need every Patisserie we can possibly have," Sandy informed.

"Right," I looked at the kitchen door, wondering when Carter would come in. I just hoped he didn't smell of booze. "So before you spring it on me... what is today's lesson? I know they'll be one... but I suppose I'm spending time with him, that was lesson 5..."

Sandy pondered for a moment. She clicked her tongue and flicked a lock of her hair over her shoulder. Suddenly her eyes lit up and she smiled maniacally. "Awww, I've thought of a really cute one. You're not going to like this."

"I don't like a lot of things you say to me," I replied blankly. "Fire away."

"Lesson 8: make a recipe for love."

"Yeah that's not going to happen," I assured her.

"Oh c'mon Bree. I'm not telling you to kiss him or anything. Just have a moment. Dazzle him. And you're baking together, so I guess the recipe will make itself," Sandy tried to convince. I frowned thinking of what I could do; I sure as hell wasn't going to touch him or flirt.

"If a moment comes... I'll see what I could do," I told her, knowing that Sandy would convince me - somehow.

The kitchen door opened and Carter strode in like he owned the place, well he did live here but he's the baby of the family.

"Hello ladies," he greeted.

"Hey Carter," Sandy replied. I frowned at him; he smirked. Sandy nudged me.

"Hello," I said and plastered a massive smile on my face that everyone could tell it was fake.

"Wow Bree you seem so enthusiastic to spend a whole day with me," Carter said sardonically.

"It's just going to be the best day ever," I replied back with an identical tone. Carter rolled his eyes but smiled.

"See I knew you two would get along. Anyways it's edging to 10. Where are Hudson and Jack?" Sandy spoke.

"Well, Sandy they do have a big shopping list. It's going to take them a while," I told her.

"Well, then that's you two cooking til midnight. What are you two making again?" Sandy asked.

Carter answered first. "Well from your orders, I'm making cookies, gingerbread people and cake."

I wanted to 'awww' at the gingerbread people part but refrained.

"I'm making macaroons, cupcakes and doughnuts," I said. I looked at the clock, each second took its time. A part of me wanted today to be over already but another part of me just couldn't wait to get icing.

The doorbell rang, Sandy sighed in relief and rushed to the door, Carter followed - probably to help. Soon enough Jack and Hudson came in holding six bags each and gently placed them onto the island. Carter followed through with at least another six bags.

"I feel sorry for you two. Maybe afterwards you'll never want to see a cake again," Hudson said. I smiled at him.

"Maybe," I agreed. He then looked at Sandy, you could clearly see in his eyes that he loved her without a shadow of a doubt. They linked hands. I felt a pang of jealousy course within me. "I think we should put all the spare ingredients in another room so the place doesn't get clustered. And we can bring them in when we need them. Milk should go in the fridge. Eggs and butter need to stay at room temperature anyway."

"Alright well, I'll leave that to you too. Hailey's going to be at school deciding a location. I'm going to catch her before she makes a decision," Jack said hurriedly. He waved goodbye and left. Sandy and Hudson did too - they had to go to the printers.

I moved towards the bags, completely disregarding Carter, and started to take out the milk bottles. There were only 3, I juggled them in my arms, opened the fridge and slipped them inside. I returned to the bags, Carter suddenly not in sight and took out everything I needed for the cupcakes. Eggs, flour, butter, baking powder, vanilla extract and caster sugar.

Carter came back in. I moved my ingredients towards my bag full of utensils and pulled out my weighing scales. I also pulled out a wooden spoon, a big mixing bowl, a hand whisk and measuring cups. I placed the bag safely on the side and remembered to start off by washing my hands.

At this point, Carter started to move around the kitchen. He pulled out his ingredients and started to carry the spare ingredients to another room. I grabbed the butter putting a whole chunk onto the scales and used math to multiply the recipe I had memorized by three, knowing that I'll have to make another batch afterwards. Little by little I added the butter to the bowl and mixed it using my wooden spoon until it was fluffy before I added more.

Once most of the butter was mixed I paused to measure and add sugar and vanilla extract. Happy to see a nice fluffy, sweet smelling mixture at the end of it, I added eggs one by one but I was careful to add flour to stop the mixture from curdling. I added baking powder and gave it a good mix before putting it aside so I could fetch some milk.

All of this was done in silence. Carter was making - from the looks of it - gingerbread people. I grabbed a bottle of milk, I used a measuring cup to ensure the right amount before giving one last final mix - this time with a whisk.

I took out cupcake cases I had purchased earlier on in the week from my bag and remembered that I needed a couple of baking trays.

Instead of looking through the cabinets, I asked Carter. "Carter? Could you please tell me where the baking trays are?" I asked.

"Sure." Carter turned around and starting to look through the cabinets. After a few get found three baking trays that had cupcake case indentations.

How sweet. He got them for me instead of telling me where they are.

"Thank you, Carter." I grabbed the baking trays, Carter then kindly went to preheat the oven - something I had forgotten about and then he continued his baking. I frowned, realising that Carter wasn't bad and instead of wasting the day in silence, I might as well spend time getting to know him.

I started to place a case in each indentation when I took a deep breath and spoke. "Sandy told me that you're better at baking when it's out of you two. I'm guessing that means that you've baked quite a bit in the past?"

"And there's me thinking you talk with purpose. What's driven you to start a conversation?" He said he glanced at me momentarily.

Dude. You can just answer the question. "Would you rather spend the day in silence or appreciate the company you have?" I asked.

"Okay I'll agree with the latter and to answer your question, my Aunt used to come down every summer when we were kids. As well as writing she likes to bake, so she taught Sandy and I a couple recipes. I just turned out have a better outcome."

"Oh right," I said not knowing what else I could say. With my wooden spoon, I started to add a moderate amount to each case making sure that none of the dough would slip off and fall onto the baking tray or table.

"What about you? You obviously have experience," Carter said. I paused for a moment.

"My mom loves to bake and I used to join her as a child. It's a favourite past time I guess," I said. I continued with the filling, thinking of another thing to say. Sadly, I was failing, my mind was blank apart from the recipes in mind.

I finished with one tray - 20 cupcakes - and moved towards the oven which was rather big. I opened it, and slipped it in, without a glove and altered the temperature. Quickly, I took out my timer and set it for 25 minutes before moving back to my station.

"Are you going to ice the gingerbread people?" I asked randomly.

"Maybe, it depends on the time if I was being honest. I suppose they would sell better if I did," he said, his voice sounded like a sigh.

"Well I don't mind helping you, if I get done," I offered. He turned and gave a sceptical look. He clearly didn't believe me. "You could just say thanks?"

He rolled his eyes and said, "thank you." At this point I had finished another tray, I slipped it into the oven, this time I used a glove because of the increase in temperature. I noted it had been five minutes since I put the first tray in.

"I was thinking," Carter started.

"Ooh that's dangerous," I commented instantly. "Sorry."

Carter cracked a smile and continued. "Have you done the splat with anyone else? Or am I your first victim?"

"You're not a victim as such and no I haven't. Apart from you, I haven't seen a guy attract so much female attention."

"Why thank you." Gee, it wasn't much of a compliment.

"No problem. Though I suppose there are exceptions to that."

"You're not the only girl who has resisted my charms, Bree," he muttered.

My eyebrows furrowed at the cupcakes but I didn't question Carter instead I remembered what Hailey had told me. His first love isn't wasn't successful. It may have caused him to break in ways and made him the player he is. Even though really, he didn’t have the right to treat people the way he does.

I decided to change the subject. "I have a feeling that one of the nights our parents are gone. You are going to throw a wild party."

"That's because I am."

"Well along as it's at yours, I'm alright with that," I said.

"Well I wasn't really asking for your permission Bree," he said.

"I know. I'm just saying. Oh and just so you have a heads up Sandy and I are going to have a slumber party on the Thursday night. She says that you don't like them very much."

Carter cursed. I smirked, I might be off duty but maybe annoying the bajeebas out of him would be fun regardless. "As long as you don't decorate my face when I'm sleeping..." he trailed, he winced probably because of a bad memory or memories.

I bit my lip to stop myself from laughing at the mental image of Carter being a candidate for America's next top model. "I suppose you wouldn't be a very good looking girl, would you?"

Carter turned and glared at me. He said nothing.

'I wonder if Sandy has pictures..." I pondered aloud and then gave Carter a wicked smile. I picked up the tray and slipped it into the oven. This one had been put in ten minutes after the first.

"You wouldn't dare," Carter warned dangerously, he had a pinch of death in his voice but it was nothing that frightened me. I bit my lip to stop smiling. Carter's gaze weakened.

"Carter you clearly don't know me," I told him. His face lost some of its colour. He gulped.

"Is your life dedicated into making my life into a living hell?" He asked.

Oh, Carter... I am currently dedicating my life to making you fall in love with me. No biggie.

Of course, I didn't say this aloud instead I said, "that'd be a waste of life. I have so much to live for."

"Your personality changes every time I meet you. You're being goddamn cheeky now."

"Awww... can't Carter keep up?" I cooed. Carter didn't reply instantly, he turned to the island and picked up two cutters, one a girl and one a boy.

"That's the Bree I know."

*

As much as it would pain me to say this but I did have a good time with Carter. I wasn't anywhere near being infatuated and we didn't make a recipe for love but we got on, we smiled and we had a good time.

"And that is the final gingerbread person iced. You can thank me later," I announced. Carter peered at it and picked it up to put with the rest.

"Thank you," Carter said mockingly grudgingly. I looked around the kitchen, it was heaven for anyone who loved desserts. There lots of different colourful macaroons, iced or glazed doughnuts each one with a unique design, colourful, sweet-smelling iced cupcakes, 5 different kinds of cookies, heart melting, cute gingerbread people and 3 kinds of cake.

"We deserve a prize," I said.

"No, we deserve that trip to Hawaii. We definitely will be successful with this," Carter said. I thought I was blowing our trumpet, Carter is having his very own parade.

"Your Aunt is coming tomorrow, right?" I asked.

"That's the plan. She hasn't given a time but I know if she did, she'll be late."

"Well, I hope she doesn't come by the time the fundraiser finishes. That would suck."

"Nonetheless we're just going to have to give her the applications and tell her to go back home."

"That's mean," I remarked.

"That's life," he countered.

We were talking comfortably like this when Sandy earlier stepped in. Carter and I were discussing which movies we wanted to watch when she came in. I don't know if Carter acknowledged her, but I did - in my peripheral vision - she looked confused at first but then she smiled and winked at me.

"I guess we should clean up now." I frowned not really wanting to follow my own words but knew that it would be the right thing to do.

I looked at Carter, his face indicating that he didn't want to do that either. I noticed something. "You have pink icing on your cheek," I informed him.

He faced me and I pointed on my face to wear the speck was on his face. He wiped it with the back of his hand and it smeared. I rolled my eyes at him. "Oh Carter, you're so helpless at times. Here, let me do it," I offered. I turned to the side and picked up a tea towel, dabbed it with a little water and stepped in front of Carter, closer than I usually would.

Due to his height, I had to tiptoe slightly, I wiped away the smear off his cheek and tried hard not to look into his gazing eyes. He was looking at my face, tracing each and every feature almost as if he wanted to memorize it. Once I had done I lowered my hand and stepped back but my gaze crossed his in the process.

I looked into his eyes and saw part of his soul, I didn't see what I saw when I had seen him with Clara neither did I see what I saw when we first talked about camp Sycamore.

To be fair, I wasn't sure about what I saw and a small, stupid part of me wanted to see more.