The Gossip File by Anna Staniszewski Page A

terrible that I got away with the lie.
    â€œIs she really that bad?” I ask.
    Taylor shrugs. “She’s always kissing up to Mark.”
    â€œAnd you should see what it says about her in the Gossip File,” Carrie says. My ears perk up, but before I can ask what she means, she adds, “That was a good idea about the free samples, Ava. Of course, now we actually have to go around and give them out.” She groans.
    â€œMaybe we’ll see Kai,” Taylor chimes in.
    â€œOkay, ladies,” Carrie says, reaching under the counter, “let’s see which one of us is the ultimate cupcake champion.”

Chapter 11
    Halfway through the lunch rush, I realize that Carrie put our cupcakes in the display case. Even though they’re hideous, Carrie convinces people to buy them. And one man, after trying the first one, buys two more. Even if we’re technically breaking the rules, I have to admit that seeing people enjoying my work makes me feel good. At least that’s one thing I have that Ava doesn’t. Or maybe we both do. How do people who lead double lives do this? It’s so confusing.
    When the lunch rush dies down, Carrie holds up some coffee filters and says, “Who wants to play a game? Maybe Floppy Frisbee?”
    â€œShouldn’t we go give away samples?” I ask.
    Carrie’s face falls. “Oh right. Okay, you two go and I’ll keep an eye on the café.”
    I nod and get to work cutting up some of the pastries I baked this morning. Then we put them on plates and head out the door.
    â€œWhile you’re out there, see if you can find anything good for the Gossip File,” Carrie says. “We’re expecting your five bits of juiciness by the end of the week!”
    I hurry outside. Maybe if I’m lucky, Ellie will have found someone to take over for me before then and the girls will forget all about it.
    â€œWhere to first?” says Taylor, following after me.
    â€œHow about the gym?”
    â€œYou really think people going to the gym will want pastries?” says Taylor.
    I laugh. “Why do you think they’re working out in the first place?”
    She smiles, and we head in that direction. After we get set up, Taylor starts chatting with anyone who walks by, even the landscaping crew. I try to smile and hand out pastries. Talking to strangers is so not my forte. But then again, I’m not me. I’m Ava. Maybe she’s better at this kind of thing than I am.
    â€œExcuse me,” I say to a friendly looking man who’s hurrying toward the bistro. “Would you like to try a cinnamon chip scone?”
    â€œSorry,” he says with an apologetic smile. “I’m not a big fan of the café food.” Then he rushes past and heads into the bistro.
    So much for trying to improve our reputation.
    I scan the area and am surprised to see my dad heading in my direction. “Dad!” I call, waving.
    When he spots me, his face lights up. “Hey, Roo,” he says. “What are you doing out here?”
    As he comes up to me, I realize that he’s wearing a red shirt that perfectly matches the one Ellie was wearing this morning. That has to be a coincidence, right? They can’t be one of those disgusting matchy-matchy couples.
    â€œI’m giving away samples,” I tell him. “Want to try one?”
    He smiles and pops one in his mouth. As he swallows, though, his smile fades. “Hmm, this kind of tastes like…parsley. Not one of your creations, is it?”
    I shake my head. “The café won’t let us make anything from scratch.”
    â€œThat’s too bad. I’m sure they have a reason for it.”
    â€œSo what are you doing here?”
    â€œBringing Ellie some lunch.” He holds up a takeout bag. “Like I do every Tuesday.”
    Date night on Monday, lunch on Tuesday, and pizza night every week? “I thought you were really busy with work,”