Lara stood on the brightly lit set of Baking with Love, a new TV show, her hazel eyes wide, her curly brown hair tucked under a chef's hat, her pink apron swapped for a sleek black one with the show's logo. Ethan was beside her, his green eyes nervous but warm, his black hair neatly combed for once, his white shirt crisp under a matching apron. The TV producer's offer (Chapter 25) had brought them here—a baking couple with a viral story, competing against other pairs in front of a live audience, cameras rolling, the smell of sugar and competition in the air.
"Welcome to the first episode!" the host, a bubbly woman named Tara, announced, her smile wide, the audience cheering. "Lara and Ethan, our viral baking couple—tell us about Sweet Haven!"
Lara's heart raced, her hands sweaty, but Ethan squeezed her hand, his voice steady as he spoke, "It's our dream—built on love, cupcakes, and a lot of frosting fights." The audience laughed, and Lara relaxed, her hazel eyes shining as she added, "We're here to show the world what we're made of—together."
Their first challenge was a "Love at First Bite" cake—bake a dessert that tells their story. They got to work, Lara mixing batter, Ethan decorating with heart-shaped sprinkles, their chemistry electric. "You're hogging the frosting again," Lara teased, nudging him, her smile playful, the cameras catching every flirty glance. Ethan grinned, swiping a bit of frosting on her nose, his green eyes sparkling, "Can't help it—you're too sweet." The audience "aww'd," teens in the crowd snapping pics, their hashtag #LaraAndEthan trending online.
But fame came with pressure—tight deadlines, harsh judges, and a rival couple, Mia and Leo, who smirked from their station, their cake a perfect tower while Lara and Ethan's was a messy, heartfelt creation. As judging neared, Mia whispered to a producer, loud enough for Lara to hear, "I heard Ethan's got a shady past—drunk yelling, right? Not so perfect." She was referencing Claire's leaked video (Chapter 19), stirring drama on set, the rumor spreading fast, teens online starting to question Ethan again, their perfect moment at risk of crumbling under the spotlight.
To be continued…