“Sir! Sir! Where are you going with the paperwork?! Sir!” Luke called for Nicholas’ attention as Nicholas made his way down the road.
But Nicholas was running at full speed by now, his thoughts racing in time with his every step.
Chapter 34
Molly
As Molly walked into Sweetness & Light, she was greeted by the sight of several boom mics, cameras, and TV staff all scattered around the bakery. She had to show her ID to a man outside the door just to get in.
There was no sign of Hannah, but Molly did spot Liam setting out a tray of sugar cookies on the counter. The cookies were descended upon by members of what Molly assumed were BakeTown’s filming crew before they each returned to
their respective workstations.
“Hannah?” Molly called out for her friend as she approached the counter. When she didn’t hear a response, Molly then turned towards one of the people holding onto a large camera.
“Hi. Sorry, if I’m, um, in the shot?” Molly waved at the camera-person.
They shook their head in response. “We’re not rolling yet. Don’t worry about it, ma’am.”
“Oh. Good.” Molly nodded with a smile. “Have you seen Hannah Johnson around anywhere? I wanted to make sure I was here for the big shoot.”
“Yeah, she’s in hair & makeup in the back.” The camera-person pointed towards the back of the bakery. “Should be finished in about half an hour or so.”
“Thanks,” Molly said with a grin and headed toward the back herself.
When she spotted Hannah, Molly’s eyes went wide with surprise. Her best friend was surrounded by no less than five women, all primping Hannah’s hair and lining her face with makeup.
“Ooh, your cheekbones are going to pop once we get you on set!”
“Would you like to wear some purple-green eyeliner? Just to be festive? Or would that be too much?”
“I have a pair of Louboutin’s in my carrying case. Are we going for Hamptons chef or down-home girl from next door?”
“Pink is definitely your color, Ms. Johnson! The contrast is gorgeous.”
“Are you hungry yet, Ms. Johnson? We can have one of the PAs go get you something to eat. Do you have any dietary restrictions?”
Molly coughed in an effort to introduce herself to the room.
Hannah turned towards Molly with a huge smile on her face. “Molly! You came!”
“Of course, I came. I wouldn’t miss this for the world,” Molly told her, cautiously giving Hannah a hug, but not wanting to ruin her best friend’s hair or makeup.
She pulled away from Hannah with a grin. “So is this what it’s going to be like all the time for you now? Since you’re going to be a famous person?”
Hannah groaned, resting her hands in her lap. “Me? Famous? First, I have to survive shooting the segment. You’re assuming that I’m not going to completely blow my chance.”
“Oh, please. You’re not going to blow your chance. You’re going to do great and by this time next year, I’ll be pointing to the cover of a magazine and going, ‘that’s my friend. She made me spaghetti once,” Molly said, looking wistfully up at nothing.
Hannah laughed. “Really? That’s what you’re going to say about me? That I made you spaghetti once? Not anything about my baking?”
“Everyone on planet Earth is going to know about your baking. How many people are going to know about your spaghetti skills?” Molly asked her with a grin. “I just want to make sure everyone knows how talented you really are, superstar.”
Hannah looked as if she was about to say something in return, but she was interrupted by another Hair and Makeup person,who was now holding up two bottles of glitter. “Okay, this may be a little out there, but I was thinking it’d be kind of cute to throw some glitter in your hair? Since it’s Christmas and all. Ooh, and the glitter will really stand out under the set lights, too—”
“NO. THIS WON’T WORK!” A man’s voice cut through the room, even though the voice’s owner was nowhere to be seen.
Hannah began to rise from her chair, but Molly pushed her down by her shoulders. “Stay right there. I’ll handle whatever that is.”