Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 60487 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 302(@200wpm)___ 242(@250wpm)___ 202(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60487 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 302(@200wpm)___ 242(@250wpm)___ 202(@300wpm)
Carl and Sage did a twirl showing off their identical wraparound dresses. Carl’s shorts and t-shirt fit nicely under it, which would make getting out of costume take a matter of seconds. “Poppy, throw us some hairnets?”
Sage added, “And face masks. There’re some under the counter.”
With the nets completely covering their hair and the face masks on, at a glance—and a glance was all that would be needed—they looked rather similar. They were even the same height.
“Is there a particular purpose for this getup?” Grayson asked, eyebrows still up around his hairline.
Carl snuck over to him and whispered in his ear. “Will you help me? If the mums ask where ‘Sage’ is, vaguely point in my direction and tell them I’ll join the meeting in a jiffy?”
“If he won’t help, I will,” Poppy said, shooting a pick-me hand in the air.
Grayson grabbed the neck of Carl’s wraparound dress and squared it neatly over his t-shirt. “I’m familiar with both the school and these mums. I’ll do it. You hold the fort here with all your baking experience.”
Leo kept looking between Carl and his laughing mum; Sage swatted him gently over the back of the head, turning it into a fond rub that had Carl swallowing.
He shook off the sudden tender longing, but not before Grayson caught a glimmer of it. He seemed to understand in a glance. Carl shot into the kitchen, in case Grayson murmured anything reasonable in his ear. He was in a volatile mood this morning, and he didn’t want to appear any more foolish than he already was.
“Let’s get this show on the road.”
“But suppose we cannot?” said the girl.
“Then I shall never have courage,” declared the Lion.
“And I shall never have brains,” added the Scarecrow.
“And I shall never have a heart,” spoke the Tin woodman.
“And I shall never see [home],” said Dorothy, beginning to cry.
L. Frank Baum
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Chapter Twelve
They transported the cupcakes in Sage’s car, which certainly helped the disguise Carl was trying to pull off. On the two-minute ride, Carl side-eyed Grayson. “What was all that about? You and Poppy.”
Grayson stared out the windscreen to the traffic light they’d stopped at. “He was competing against me. For your . . . approval.”
It took Carl a few moments to process that. “All that was for me? Why? Did Sage tell him I’m one of your groupies? He got it all wrong. And you”—Carl banged a chastising fist against Grayson’s upper arm—“You’re mischievous, you know that?” Carl replayed the morning and laughed. “All those poor cupcakes. All to tease him.”
“Teasing?” Grayson mumbled. “I was acting the part of jealous suitor.”
Carl patted his shoulder with a nod. “You made him work for it. Good friend. I’ll go see him once we’re done here.”
Grayson came to an abrupt halt inside the school gates. “You’re going back to him?”
“To clarify it all.” And turn him down gently. Even for a fling, Poppy didn’t feel right.
Carl gazed at Grayson climbing out of the car. The grace. The gorgeousness—
He gave himself another sharp slap on the cheek.
“You all right?” Grayson asked.
“Bug.” Love bug. That he must squash immediately!
Inside, bowed over three dozen cupcakes in the hall kitchen and only partially visible to the teachers and volunteer mums strolling in, they got the show on the road.
It was easier than he’d thought. Grayson, playing the role of Sage’s helper, didn’t even need to throw out the line about ‘Sage’ making her way into the main hall soon. The witches beat him to it.
“Sage is here already!”
“Must be eager to impress.”
“Let her have her moment.”
In fact, hearing that, Carl nearly gave them away. His head shot up, fury blazing in his eyes, and only Grayson whirling him into a dance saved the show. They twirled to the beat of Mariah Carey’s “Almost Home” crackling over Grayson’s phone until Carl calmed himself and folded into the steps, like Sage would’ve done. He couldn’t stop glaring over Grayson’s shoulder, though. And he held Grayson’s hand so hard the heat was starting to make them stick.
Once the witches passed the kitchen, Carl stopped dancing and said in Grayson’s ear. “Can I put laxatives on their cupcakes?”
Rumbling laughter vibrated through Carl, making him realise how snug he was against Grayson. His pulse kicked up a gear and a shiver slunk through him.
Hurriedly, he peeled himself away and turned back towards the plated cupcakes.
He checked the time. Already quarter past. Sage should arrive in the next five to ten minutes, and to stall the meeting out there . . . He made sure no one could see him and quickly unwrapped the dress, pulled off his mask, and uncovered his hair. In an instant, he was Carl again. Correction: he was Jason Lyall.
“What are you doing?” Grayson said as Carl headed towards the main hall.
“Stalling. Sage wants to be properly involved. That means the meeting will start when she arrives. Bring the plates to the tables?”