Read Macarons at Midnight for Free Online

for about three minutes or until everything is incorporated and smooth. Add egg to butter and sugar mixture and beat until blended. Gradually mix in flour mixture in three batches, alternating buttermilk mixture between each cup of flour, and mix until smooth. You’ll need to scrape down the sides of the bowl while mixing. Spoon batter in ¼-cup-size servings onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake on middle rack for about 15 to 17 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and spring back when touched. Makes big cookies! Put the cookies on a cooling rack and allow to cool completely before icing unless you want a big old mess!
    Stir together icing sugar, corn syrup, lemon juice, vanilla, and ½ tablespoon of water in bowl until smooth. Place half of mixture into a separate bowl, and add cocoa powder and remaining water bit by bit until it is the same consistency as the white icing. If the icing is too runny, add more icing sugar until it is smooth and spreadable. Turn cooled cookies flat side up and spread icing with pastry spatula or butter knife. White over one half, chocolate over the other. The icing does not set solid on these cookies and does not harden, but it dries enough to be wrapped as they are sold in the city. They can be wrapped individually in cellophane or sealed in a plastic container.

Chapter 3

     
    E VEN THOUGH he’d just stepped over a threshold into what seemed to be a very crowded kitchen and nothing more, Tristan felt like he was in a different world. Something settled in him, weird as that might sound, but lifted at the same time, like his belly was trying to float clear out of his body. He giggled a little like a gawky year nine with a crush, and then clapped his hand over his mouth.
    The beautiful man, who, even covered with flour and sweaty from his ovens, was refined and elegant enough that he looked regal, as though if he were to don armor, he could easily be gallant Lancelot or a beautiful king. Tristan found himself thinking that, and shook his head. Perhaps America was making him lose whatever faculties he had left. He realized the baker was speaking again. Tristan found himself blushing, his cheeks heating with the lightness in his stomach and the embarrassing stars in his eyes.
    “Here, have a seat on this section of the counter. It’s clean. Sorry it’s a disaster in here. I’m trying to get a really big order out.” He was gracious and sweet. How could anyone that beautiful be so nice?
    Tristan smiled at him. He knew he looked like a shy, awkward school mouse who hadn’t quite grown into his oversized legs and feet. Of course, he was graceful and lean, average height but perfectly formed. He had eyes that matched his voice, golden brown and mellow, long lashed and sleepy, lush lips, high cheekbones, and waving dark hair that was pulled back into a tiny short stub of a low ponytail that would tug out easily and be thick and cool and silky running through Tristan’s fingers when he— Fuck me sideways . Tristan wanted to groan out loud.
    “It, um, looks like a lot of work what you’re doing there. Lovely, though.” Quit babbling. You sound like a moron.
    The baker smiled. “I like the way you talk.”
    Probably wouldn’t find it so charming if you knew what I was thinking about you right now. Tristan didn’t answer with anything more than another awkward grin. If he opened his mouth, who fucking knew what would come out? Any number of potentially humiliating things, most likely. He thought he might be imagining the appraising look that was shot his way. He hoped he wasn’t. Beautiful baker guy could look all he wanted. Especially if he paired the look with a kiss or two. Or some naked cuddling among the baked goods. They stood there for a moment, smiling at each other silently before the baker finally started moving again. Tristan jumped up onto the counter and watched.
    He looked around curiously. The kitchen was messy, but nothing close to what he’d call a