Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 49490 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 247(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49490 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 247(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
“Yes. I didn’t think of it as an enterprise, necessarily. Just something I wanted to do.” I gave my spiel about my grandfather’s bagel shop in Pennsylvania, my college experience at Haverton that had made it possible for me to play pro football, and my desire to give back to the community. “But the bake-off idea was my partner’s. Amber’s a genius.”
“And what about Mateo Cavaretti? Are you still feuding? Hang on! I’ll ask him myself.” Marissa clasped Mateo’s elbow and dragged him into the frame…as if magically pulling a rabbit out of a hat rather than literally reaching for the guy who’d been waiting off camera for his cue. “Mateo! Hi, it’s great to finally meet you in person. I’ve been following this bake-off journey, along with the rest of the world, for weeks. I had my first slice of Boardwalk pepperoni pizza and it was delicious.”
A lazy, sexy, lopsided smile transformed my boyfriend’s handsome features into something godlike. “Thanks.”
Marissa might have been a professional, but she wasn’t immune. She fluttered her lashes and licked her top lip. “You were quarterback on the same team as Rob in college. Were you two friendly?”
“No, but I respected his work on the field and followed his career after college.”
“You played in the pros too. Did you ever run up against Rob in the NFL?”
He shook his head. “Just on the pizza-bagel front.”
Marissa twittered appreciatively. “Boardwalk Pizza has been around for decades, but I understand that pizza bagels are new on your menu. Is that right?”
“Yeah.”
“How do you think you’re going to do today?” she asked, leaning closer to him than necessary.
“We’re gonna crush ’em,” Mateo deadpanned.
Marissa giggled as she spun toward me. “And what do you have to say about that, Rob?”
“Bagels are too well-rounded to panic.”
Mateo snorted. “Is that a bagel joke?”
“Yeah.” I grinned.
“It was terrible.”
“Oh, really. Do you know any pizza jokes?”
Mateo looked straight into the camera. “Don’t get saucy with me, Vilmer. In crust we trust.”
Marissa burst into laughter and held her hand up to Mateo for a high five. “Love it! Good luck to you guys. And thanks for bringing a piz-za, well-rounded joy to the world. You’re both winners in my book. This is Marissa Martin. Back to you in the studio, Chet.”
I shook her hand and stepped aside to speak to Bill while Marissa gushed all over Mateo.
I didn’t realize Bill and his wife were chatting with Amber until I approached. I set a hand on her shoulder and greeted the group.
Amber beamed and hugged me, standing on tiptoe to kiss my cheek. “This is a home run, Robbie.”
I nodded in agreement and opened my mouth to respond just as I overheard Marissa say, “Yes. Get a shot of her too. I think she’s Rob’s girlfriend. Or are they married?”
Bill was speaking now. Something about how impressed he was. “This town is a gem.”
“So cute,” his wife agreed. “You did a wonderful job with this event. There’s a little bit of everything. But I’m afraid I’m going to miss out on those ocean-breeze candles if I don’t buy them now. I’ll catch you later, hon.”
I had a feeling that was a rehearsed line to give Bill and me some privacy, and I might have jumped at it if I hadn’t been distracted by Marissa’s comment.
Rob’s girlfriend. Rob’s wife.
“I’m gonna join her in a sec. You got one interview out of the way. The gal from ESPN is here, and that guy in the plaid getup is an influencer. Supposedly famous. I don’t think you need my two cents for this part, but you know how to reach me when you’re ready for the rest.”
I shook Bill’s hand and waited till he’d walked away to address Amber.
“This is nuts.”
She snickered good-naturedly. “Absolute bonkers. Pizza and bagels…who knew?”
“You did. Thank you for this. Thank you for everything.”
Amber punched my biceps. “You’re welcome. But it’s not like you didn’t help. No one would have shown up if it weren’t for you and Mateo.”
“I don’t mean just today. We’ve been a team for a long time, Am, and I don’t think I tell you enough how important you are to me.”
She pushed a wayward curl behind her ear. “Are you trying to make me cry or something?”
“No, nothing so devious. It just seems important to let people know how you feel about them. That’s all.”
My best friend knew me well. Amber’s lips twisted as she glanced at Mateo who was standing with Sal, Vanni, and Jimmy by the judges’ table.
“I’m happy for you,” she whispered. “Under that crusty crust, he’s a good guy.”
“Yeah, he is.”
“So are you. The best.” She dabbed a tear at the corner of her eye and growled. “But if you ruined my mascara, I’m going to hurt you, Robbie.”
“You’re beautiful.” I tugged one of her curls and checked my watch. “Shall we get this show on the road?”