Page 39 of Winner Takes All

“Oh, yes, Nik has had that Wonder Woman doll since she was about eight. We weren’t allowed to play with it. It’s never come out of the box. I’m in awe she’s giving it away. You really are incredible,” Sia says.

“Knock it off, you guys. Victor was the hero of the plane,” I say. For a woman who wanted to be the star of the show for the cookoff, I’m really uncomfortable with all of this attention. “I just did what anyone would do.”

“Clearly that’s not true as you were the only one to step up,” Sasha says.

“How about we agree that you are both equally great?” Sia says, knowing I’m about to run out the doors. “We’re very proud of both of you.”

“You better accept that we love that one of our own saved the day. We’re proud of you,” Mrs. Jones gushes.

“Now you have to join the volunteer firefighters,” Chief Mitchel says.

“You just take all the praise,” Amelia says. “Lunch is on the house. We have a fresh blackberry pie from the bakery.”

“I’ll take some pie,” Victor quickly says.

“Make that two slices,” I pipe in. “With ice cream.”

The entire café is buzzing with energy, the locals crowding us, everyone wanting to say hello and tell us they’re proud. I’m thrilled when that part of it is over and things settle down, or at least, they seem to settle. That is until Dale walks over with a wicked grin on his weathered face.

“You two are looking awfully cozy. I do have to say you make a mighty cute couple.”

These are words I’d never expect to hear from our most famous fisherman in town. My cheeks once again flush. I’m sure the matchmakers are all thrilled we’re together, thinking they had everything to do with it. I’m not so sure they didn’t have a big hand in it.

Victor looks at me and grins before giving his attention back to Dale. “I think we’re pretty amazing together,” he says.

“You should’ve heard how much this boy was moaning about how much he wanted you not that long ago,” Robert says as he winks at me. This time it’s Victor’s cheeks flushing.

“There are some things that aren’t supposed to be talked about,” Victor tells him, making Robert laugh.

“Ignore him, Robert. You go ahead and talk all you want,” I say, making everyone laugh.

“I won’t embarrass my buddy too much, but I’d love to hear how the trip was,” he says.

“Absolute perfection. We had sun, sand, cooking, made new friends, drank a lot of rum, and talked a whole lot,” I say. “Turns out when we aren’t fighting we get along pretty good.”

“We all watched your cooking videos on the vlog. It sure looked like fun,” Martha says.

“That was my favorite part,” I say.

Aunt Eileen steps in. “We all loved those videos. You two sure seemed to be doing a lot of touching while filming.” Just like that my cheeks flush again. They might as well stay red, as much ribbing as we’re getting. I knew it would happen. Hopefully it settles down soon.

Victor leans against me and whispers in my ear, sending shudders through me. “They’re right, you know. We’re perfect together.”

“I think so too,” I say, my heart fluttering.

“We won’t forget feeling this way. That’s how we make it last,” he tells me.

I decide I don’t care who’s watching. I lean against him and give him a soft kiss on the lips, causing everyone to cheer all around us. I pull back and shake my head as I laugh. Never did I think I’d get applause for kissing someone. This town can be strange sometimes.

I might’ve loved the Bahamas, but this really is home. As much as all of this drives me crazy at times, I know all of these people have my back, and there’s nothing they won’t do for the people they love. We’re a real community.

We sit with our friends, hand in hand, surrounded by the people we love, and I feel peace and a stirring of excitement. We have so much to do now that we’re back home again. The sky’s the limit and nothing will hold either of us back. We’re writing a story right now, and it’s happening one chapter at a time.

Chapter Twenty

Nikki

We get home and barely make it in the door before I give Victor a look he’s sure to read. I’ve never felt this intense desire for any other man... only Victor. I should be exhausted after traveling, but my desire for him outweighs anything else I feel. I’m enamored with him, with his scent, his voice, his beautiful eyes. There’s nothing I don’t find desirable about the man.

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