For the Love of Cake by Erin Dutton

the others go first, then shuffled along behind, gathering a sandwich, a scoop of cold pasta salad, and a bottle of apple juice.
    She found most of her team seated together. Damien had settled with a group of the guys, but her women had claimed a table with one remaining chair.
    “Mind if I join you guys?”
    “Of course not.” Alice jumped in and answered for the group. “Do you mind if we pick your brain? There’s obviously so much we can learn from you, and it seems like we have so little time. I mean, it’s only three weeks until the break. And that’s if we get all the way to the end, which would be amazing.”
    Maya had paused halfway through Alice’s rambling answer, still holding her lunch, and instantly regretted her decision.
    “Alice, let’s not talk about work right now. This is supposed to be a break from the madness to regroup before we start again.” Shannon jumped in so quickly that Maya gave her an appreciative look, then let her gaze linger as an adorable flush colored her cheeks.
    Maya pulled out the chair next to Shannon, which unfortunately put her directly across from Alice. She nodded at Lucia and received a warm smile.
    “Sure, okay. What should we talk about then? Perhaps we could share some stories about our hometowns. Since we’re all from such different backgrounds.”
    Beside her, Shannon sighed, then seemed to try to cover it with a cough.
    Undeterred, Alice continued. “I imagine my rural Georgia upbringing was very different from yours in New York City.”
    “Actually, she’s from Albany,” Shannon muttered, then blushed even deeper.
    “That’s right.” Maya met Shannon’s eyes and smiled, hoping to ease whatever was making her uncomfortable. Maya’s bio was quite accessible on the Internet or any number of interviews she’d done over the years. She’d grown used to fans of the show talking to her about childhood, her education, and even her personal life. For some, nothing was off-limits. While Maya was quick to shut down inquiries that became too personal, she’d learned to accept a degree of curiosity. Shannon’s knowledge of where she was raised wasn’t nearly as surprising as Alice’s obvious ignorance of it. She recalled from Shannon’s application that she’d grown up in the Nashville area. “I suppose that makes you the big-city girl at this table.”
    “Hardly. Despite where we were born, anyone could look at us and tell who has more life experience.” Shannon scoffed. “I got cast on a national television show and still couldn’t get out of this town.”
    “Is it weird living in a hotel in your own hometown?”
    “A little. But I’m sure it’ll give me a different perspective on the city. I typically only come downtown to go to work, then go back to my apartment in the suburbs. I don’t like crowds.”
    “There sure weren’t many crowds where I’m from,” Alice said, obviously eager to get back into the conversation.
    “Mmm hmm.” Maya angled her chair slightly away from Alice and spoke to Shannon. “You seemed uncomfortable during the challenge today.”
    “I was nervous. And out of my element. The cameras and lights don’t simulate my usual environment for being creative.”
    “And what would that be?”
    “Well, these days I work in a little bakery about seven blocks from here. When we don’t have any customers in the shop, I like listening to music while I decorate. I try to pick songs that set the mood I’m trying to convey.” Shannon’s voice lifted with passion for her work, and her eyes lit up as if she could actually hear the music in her head.
    “Your theme today centered around me. So what songs would you pick?”
    “I thought you didn’t want to talk about work?”
    “Actually, those were your words.” She’d initially thought avoiding shoptalk was a good idea but found she was interested in hearing more about Shannon’s work. After culinary school, Maya had worked in restaurants for a very short time, then