Page 133 of The Flirt

Scarlett was on the edge of her seat, eyes trained on Bella. Fucking hell, I couldn't let this woman walk out of our lives.

I kept my eyes glued on the stage, though, as they announced third place, then second place. My girl kept looking at us, and I smiled at her reassuringly. I always made sure to tell her that I loved her no matter what. Her winning first prize wasn't going to make me love her more.

But still, I understood how important this was for her. She'd worked hard.

"And the first prize goes to Bella LeBlanc for a completely perfect pie."

My girl instantly jumped up from her chair, and so did we. It looked a bit like a wave as all thirteen of us rose to our feet, clapping like there was no tomorrow. Scarlett was grinning from ear to ear. Bella was looking at me. No, wait, she was looking at Scarlett, sending her an air kiss.

We only stopped clapping when the presenter gave us a side-eye.

"Now for honorable mentions," he said, and we all sat down quietly.

A few minutes later, they dismissed everyone. Bella came down the staircase on the right side of the stage with the other kids.

"I did it, Scarlett! I did it!" she exclaimed, running straight for my woman, who didn't miss a beat. She lowered herself to Bella's level, taking her in her arms. I couldn't believe that she cared about my girl so much. "Did you see me making that frosting?"

"Yes, you did it perfectly. It's even better than mine."

Bella wrinkled her nose. "That's not true. You're buttering me up."

Scarlett barely stifled a chuckle. "I mean it. I'm not a pastry chef, and you've been practicing so diligently. I'm so happy you won."

She held the medal for me to see.

"All right, everyone," Isabeau said. "Let's head out and celebrate, LeBlanc style."

"Who decided on that? Why isn't it Broussard style?" Celine asked, making us all laugh.

I looked straight at her. "Because I've got the LeBlanc name, don't I, Celine?"

"Yes, but you've both our blood. So does this little one," she said, squeezing Bella's hand lightly. "You did so well. We're all so very proud of you."

"Thank you, Gran. Did you see me when I almost dropped the eggs on the floor?"

"Accidents can happen," Scarlett said in a soothing tone.

"Yes, but not during a competition!" Bella sounded horrified. "Everything has to be perfect."

She looked around at the group and then back at me, smiling. I was so fucking happy that she didn't seem to be upset at all that Sarah wasn't here tonight. Then again, my girl had gotten used to that, as had I.

"We've got a feast waiting for us at home," Dad announced.

"Of cake?" Bella asked, making us all laugh.

Everyone could take their own pie with them, but I knew my girl's priorities. Pie was for the morning, whereas cake was for celebration. And I quite agreed with her.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Chad

Things were even crazier than usual in the LeBlanc-Broussard mansion that night. We ordered enough food to feed a small army, and yet we somehow managed to finish it all. Bella was the center of attention, of course, replaying every moment of the competition for us. And we all listened intently even though we'd witnessed it firsthand.

But the whole time, my mind was on Scarlett. I needed to talk to her tonight. I didn't want to postpone it any longer, but I had to wait until after Bella went to sleep.

After dinner, Bella pulled Scarlett and me to the couches even though everyone was still at the table, waiting for the cake. As Scarlett sat down, Bella climbed onto her lap.

“Scarlett, did I do okay today?” she asked.

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