asked Delaney. âThat would be so cool! Then we could hang out all the time!â
Lexi interruptedâshe had to change the subject fast. âThis next order is for Red Hot cupcakes. What does that mean? We donât have any recipe yet for that.â
âI was thinking Red Hot candy hearts on top and a spicy cupcake and frosting,â Kylie said.
âWe could do a Mexican Chili Chocolate Cupcake,â Jenna suggested, âand top it with a cinnamon cream cheese frosting. But weâll need chili powder and ground cayenne pepper.â
âWe should have all those spices from our family taco nights,â said Kylie. âYou get working on the batter with Delaney. Sadie and I will tackle the frosting.â
Jenna put all the ingredients on the counter. âWe want the cupcake to have a kick,â she explained. âA pinch of cayenne should do it.â
Delaney looked at the small container of orange powder. She gave it a shake into the dry ingredient bowl. âA pinch of cayenne! Check!â
About twenty-five minutes later, the cupcakes emerged from the oven a deep, dark chocolate color. âThese look perfect,â Jenna observed. She opened one wrapper and took a taste.
â Dios mÃo! â she cried, fanning her tongue. âWater! I need water!â
Sadie raced to get her a glass, and Jenna gulped it down and asked for anotherâ¦then another.
âThat cupcake is way too spicyâmy mouth is on fire! Delaney, how much cayenne did you put in there?â
âA pinch, just like you said,â Delaney answered.
âA pinch is about one-eighth of a teaspoon,â Kylie explained.
âOh,â said Delaney. âI kind of sprinkled in a little more than that. Like maybe three or four tablespoons?â
Jenna was still gulping down water. âYeah, you sure did!â
Lexi felt bad for Jennaâ¦but she couldnât help chuckling. âI guess Delaney still has a lot to learn about baking cupcakes.â
Delaney looked sad and embarrassed. âIâm really sorry. I didnât know.â
âItâs okay,â Kylie said, putting an arm around her friend. âWeâve all made tons of mistakes. Right, Lexi?â
Lexi shrugged. âI guess,â she replied, and went back to decorating.
In seven hours, the girls had managed to bake, decorate, and box half the Valentineâs Day orders. They were all covered, head to toe, in flour and frosting.
âThis is hard work!â Delaney yawned. âWeâve been at it all morning and afternoon! Iâm exhausted!â
âSo I guess you wonât be joining PLC,â Lexi said hopefully.
âIâd have to think about it,â Delaney replied. âIâm on the swim team at my school and we have a lot of weekend swim meets.â
âThatâs okay, Delaney,â Kylie answered. âI understand. Maybe you could help us when youâre not swimming.â
âThat would be great!â Delaney untied her apron and handed it to Lexi. âI guess I wonât be needing this?â
Lexi felt a little bad. Delaney had been very helpfulâ¦
âYou can keep itâ¦for next time,â she said.
âThanks, Lexi!â Delaney said, suddenly hugging her.
âYeah, thanks, Lexi.â Kylie smiled and walked Delaney out to the door where her mom was waiting to drive her home.
âI guess Delaney wasnât so bad,â Lexi said helping Jenna and Sadie sweep up the mess of flour, sugar, and candy all over the floor.
âShe was super nice,â said Sadie.
Jenna agreed. âKylie does have excellent taste in friendsâ¦â
Lexi was too tired to be jealous or angry anymore. Her fingers ached from piping frosting and rolling fondant. And tomorrow they had a ton more work waiting for them; they hadnât even discussed what theyâd be making for the Blakely Valentineâs Day party.
Since the Romeo and Juliet
Crystal B. Bright
Kerrie O'Connor
J.C. Valentine
Margrett Dawson
Tricia Stringer
Stephen Leather
Anne Kelleher
Nigel Jones
Darran McCann
Esther And Jerry Hicks