Fresh Meet

by Miller, Jasmin

  After folding each piece to form an open tube, I place them neatly next to each other on a baking sheet. Since the oven is still occupied, I put the baking sheet on the counter and move on to the next bowl of ingredients that’s already waiting for me. I love days like today, where I can just bake one thing after the other. It calms me down while also allowing me to think clearly about what the week ahead will bring.

  Since I’ve decided not to rush things with the bakery, I still have a few months until I’m going to open it here in this small California town. Not only is there a lot of preparation that needs to be done, but I’ve quickly figured out that trying to raise an infant at the same time isn’t the easiest thing—even with all the help I’ve been getting.

  The song on the radio ends, and the host interrupts my thoughts. “Sources claim that our very own Brooksville citizen, rockstar Hudson Mitchell, was spotted at the airport this early morning. If it’s true, and he’s really back in town, please be kind, folks. Remember he’s one of us.”

  “Rockstar?” I snort to myself. “I’ve been here for several weeks now, and no one has mentioned anything about a rockstar living here—not that I’ve been out much. And here I thought we could have a quiet life in this place. Thank goodness Monica didn’t move with us, she’d be all over this.” My best friend is the worst celebrity gossip, even though she knows to keep it to the bare minimum with me.

  I shake my head, as I realize I’m talking to myself, a habit I don’t think I’ll ever stop—something Sebastian wasn’t very fond of.

  Stop it! No thinking about him, he’s not worth the time.

  The oven timer beeps, successfully distracting me from my thoughts. I take out the baking sheet with the Danish bread, and after carefully placing it on the stove, I put the next sheet in. The sweet smell of baked goods drifts into my nose, and I let out a loud sigh just as my stomach lets out a growl. I put my hand on my belly absentmindedly, immediately noticing Hannah might have been right about us having to up our workout routine.

  Focusing back on my work, I lose myself in the bread dough once more. Swaying gently to the music coming from the radio, I startle when the front door shuts with a loud bang.

  “Weird.” I stop, my hands still deep in the soft dough, and listen. “Maybe Hannah forgot something.”

  “Gosh, what smells so good in here? I would’ve come back earlier if I’d known this was waiting for me.” The voice—male, and definitely not Hannah—gets louder with every spoken word, indicating the person is coming closer to the kitchen. A man is coming closer to me. A stranger.

  I’m frozen in my spot—certain I look like a deer caught in the headlights—and I’m afraid my heart will burst out of my chest in a second if it keeps beating this wildly.

  Who on earth could that possibly be?

  Hannah and I have been living here for the past few days while her kitchen gets renovated. All she’s ever said was that it belongs to a family member who doesn’t use it right now. She didn’t mention anyone else would be here with us.

  “Seriously, so good. I’m starving.”

  Before I can even think about running or hiding, the person walks around the corner and into the kitchen.

  The man’s wearing a pair of black basketball shorts and nothing else—I repeat, nothing else.

  What on earth?

  To complement the set of wide-open eyes that are practically jumping out of my sockets, my mouth hangs slightly open now too. Perfect.

  The smart and rational side of my brain seems to be on a break because all I’m capable of doing is raking my eyes over Mr. Basketball Shorts. He’s tall with broad shoulders and the most pronounced abs I’ve ever seen up close. The baseball cap on his head is turned backward, and he’s currently wiping his face off with what I assume to be his shirt. That is the only reason he hasn’t seen me yet, and why I haven’t seen his face yet either. But I’m going out on a limb here and say it’s probably as gorgeous as the rest of him.

  My eyes drift back to his magnificent chest, following the beads of sweat that are slowly running down his torso to the V-shaped lower abs until they disappear into the pair of shorts that sits low on his hips.

  Sudden heat shoots through my body, making my cheeks tingle from the force of it. My brain uses that moment of distraction to finally kick back in again, reminding me of the situation at hand.

  A total stranger is standing in my kitchen.

  Half-naked.

  And we’re all alone in this house.

  He could be anyone.

  “Aaaaahhh!” The strangled cry rips out of my throat, startling not just me but my drool-worthy intruder too.

  He removes the shirt from his face in one swift motion, his brown eyes immediately finding mine—not that it’s a hard thing to do after the war cry I just let loose.

  The noise of blood rushing through the veins in my ears is loud and distracting, and my body seems to have a mind of its own, doing things I’m not even realizing until—

  Smack.

  I look down at my now empty hands in utter shock before slowly looking back up to take in the crime scene I just created.

  The big ball of dough I just threw—without any conscious thought of it—landed square in his face.

  Oops.

  I hope you enjoyed the first chapter of Baking With A Rockstar. You can get your own copy or read it for FREE in Kindle Unlimited right here.

  Also by Jasmin Miller

  Brooksville Series

  Baking With A Rockstar - A Single Parent Romance

  Dancing With A Hot Nerd - A Friends to Lovers Roommate Romance

  The Best Kind Series

  The Best Kind Of Mistake - A Workplace Romantic Comedy

  The Best Kind Of Surprise - A Surprise Pregnancy Romantic Comedy

  The Husband Checklist - A Brother’s Best Friend Romance

  Kings Of The Water Series

  Fresh Meet - A Single Dad Sports Romance

  Secret Plunge - A Surprise Pregnancy Sports Romance (Ryan and Harper’s story)

  *Up for preorder - only 99 cents*

  (included in The Romantically Ever After Romance Collection)

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  Acknowledgments

  This book. These characters. Gah. Jace, Em, and Tanner have made my heart so incredibly happy. Telling their story was a bit memoir-ish in some places (kids scenes) and constantly tugged on my heartstrings. And they made me smile a lot. I like smiling. :)

  The biggest thanks goes to my husband. I couldn’t have done it without him. He had my back, as usual, making sure I was able to keep my deadlines. His support has reached new levels, as has my appreciation for him. His constant encouragement keeps me going. Then there are our little monsters, providing me with plenty of inspiration for my books. Maybe we can tone down the accidents a bit though, okay? Regardless, my heart is yours. Always and forever.

  Suze and Alicia. I have so much love for you two. You’re the icing on my cake, the cheese to my crackers. Thank you for helping me work out the kinks in this story and for being there for me when I need you. Which is a lot. I’d be lost without your help and guidance and constant encouragement.

  Kristen and Stephie. Thanks so much for the extra eyes on my story. I appreciate your time and support so incredibly much. Your feedback always helps, and I’m beyond grateful to have you.

  Marion, this baby wouldn’t be what it is without you. Thanks for the honesty and love you showed this story. And for believing in me. You helped make this story shine the way it was supposed to. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

  Judy, as always, I’m beyond grateful for your fantastic proofreading skills. It soothes me to know you have my back.

  Najla, thank you so much for dea
ling with my fussy self! I adore you and your work! The cover is absolutely stunning.

  Courtney and Lynn, thanks so much for all the teaser help!

  My lovely ARC and promo teams. I have so much to thank you for. The wonderful reviews you write. The kind messages you send me. The beautiful pictures and posts you create. Spreading the love about my stories. I appreciate you guys so very much, and you’re incredibly special to me. Your support means everything.

  Awesome Peeps, you’re my favorite place online and for good reason. I’m so lucky to have so many of you fantastic peeps in my group, and you never fail to put a smile on my face, and that means the absolute world to me.

  My readers. You guys. Goodness. You make my heart so incredibly happy. Thank you for picking up my books, for reading my words, for giving me and my stories a chance. I won’t ever be able to tell you just how much that truly means to me. You make me believe in myself. You keep me going.

  ♥︎♥︎♥︎

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Jasmin Miller is a professional lover of books and cake (preferably together) as well as a fangirl extraordinaire. She loves to read and write about anything romantic and never misses a chance to swoon over characters. Originally from Germany, she now lives in the western US with her husband and three little humans that keep her busy day and night.

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