Page 96 of The Baking Games

It seems like the bell rings for the end of the competition five minutes after it starts. I can’t believe how quickly the time went. I like how my opera cake came out; it looks like Rhett’s is good, too. I can’t really see what Lainey made, and Connor is further down, so it's impossible to spy on him.

The judges come out and start walking around. They start at Rhett's station. He explains his caramel and hazelnut opera cake. The judges each take a bite and nod.

Chef Alain speaks first. "This is a very beautiful opera cake with a wonderful, rich flavor. Well done, Rhett." The other judges seem to agree.

Then, they make their way over to Connor's station. Connor is smiling as if he's won the whole thing.

"And what did you make?"

"I made a raspberry pistachio opera cake," he says. His is not as pretty as Rhett's, or maybe I'm just biased. The judges try it.

"It's good. Definitely has some unexpected flavors," Tessa says. She's always flirting with Connor, so I can't tell if she really hates his dessert and just doesn't want to tell him or if she actually likes it.

Then, they move over to Lainey. Now that it’s sitting on the counter, her opera cake looks very strange. It has a vibrant green glaze and looks like something that just came from a nuclear power plant.

"And what do we have here?" Marco asks, eyeing it carefully.

Lainey smiles. “I really wanted to think outside the box, so I made a matcha and black sesame opera cake."

The judges' mouths drop open. "Tell us how you made that," Chef Alain says.

"Well, the sponge cake is infused with matcha powder, and then I soaked it in a light matcha syrup. Then, I used black sesame to make a buttercream and white chocolate ganache. I topped it with a matcha glaze, which is giving it this really cool green color." She seems quite proud of herself, but the judges don't seem impressed.

Tessa takes a bite and almost spits it out. "Did you taste this, Lainey?"

"Well, no. I was too busy making it."

"Yeah, this is not good. It tastes like the sesame seeds were burned, and there's a very bitter flavor."

Marco takes a bite at the same time as Tessa and looks like he's having trouble swallowing it. "Yes, I agree. This is not good, Lainey. Not good at all.”

Lainey's eyes fill with tears. I think she knows what's about to happen to her, but she's probably hoping that my dessert is terrible. I hope she's wrong.

They walk over to my station.

"And what did you make, Savannah?" Tessa asks, taking a sip of water to try to get the taste of Lainey's cake out of her mouth.

"I made a raspberry and white chocolate opera cake. I lightly soaked my sponge cake in raspberry syrup, made a raspberry buttercream and a white chocolate ganache, topped with this vibrant pink raspberry glaze."

I stand there with my hands behind my back, waiting for them to taste it.

Tessa is first, and when she tastes it, an immediate smile spreads across her face. "This is lovely. So light and refreshing."

Each of the judges nods as they take their bite. Thank goodness. I know I have passed this round.

A few moments later, they give Lainey the unfortunate news that she'll be going home. I see tears streaming down her face. I actually feel bad for her. A week ago, I couldn't have said that. I walk over and give her a quick hug, the only one of the contestants who does that, and then she disappears out of the room.

"Well, congratulations, contestants," Dan says. "The three of you have made it to the next stage of the finals. I'll see you tomorrow for your next competition. Go rest up."

With that, we turn to walk out of the kitchen. Rhett walks over and takes my hand, which is becoming the most comfortable thing in my life. Connor glares at us and walks out. He can't stand to see it, which makes me laugh whenever I see it bothers him. One of the best things about leaving this house is that I'll never have to see Connor again.

SAVANNAH

Being in the house with just Connor and Rhett is like watching a before-and-after presentation. Connor is the before. The ugly thing you’re trying to make pretty. The terrible thing you’re trying to make good. The only problem is that Connor never changes. He has steered clear of me and Rhett, for the most part, staying in his room. He has now switched to a totally separate room from Rhett. The quicker we can get him out of this house, the better.

On the other hand, Rhett and I have spent lots of time together. We sat in the hot tub, played pool, and played checkers and chess. He’s taught me card games, and we've cooked almost every meal together in the kitchen. It's like a very domestic thing we're suddenly doing, and I can't say that I'm not enjoying it.

For the first time, as much as I miss my sister, I feel a connection to another human being, and I will miss him too. It seems like no matter what I do in my life, I'll be missing someone. But I have to focus on the prizes: the cookbook deal, the wedding cake for the celebrity couple, and the $200,000 that I desperately want to see in my bank account.

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