Page 111 of Fire and Icing

I could say it now. I could open the door and give him unlimited samples. But what if that backfires? No. I can’t. After today, I can. When we’re on the way home from the contest. I will have won or I will have lost. Then, when he knows I don’t need him to fake anymore, I’ll tell him. I’ll give him so many samples Costco will be taking notes.

I reach over and turn on the radio. Dustin eases back into his seat. I don’t even ask when I pop off my shoes and put my feet on his dash. Everything about the drive to the estate feels familiar and easy between us. We don’t have to talk. I’m more comfortable than I’ve been in days.

When the driveway of the estate comes into view, my heart starts to race. I’d nearly forgotten the whole reason I asked him to pretend to be my boyfriend. Or … Syd asked him … or he volunteered. It’s all a blur. But now, looking up at the main house, I almost feel dizzy.

Today, I will either win or lose.

I will walk away with enough prize money to stabilize and secure the future of the bakery, or I will not. The bakery won’t fold. Not for a while, at least. And I can always try again—enter another contest or … Who knows. But if I win—if we win—I won’t have to stress over finances for a while. I can focus on baking. I can let Vanessa scoop up all the contracts in town. I can breathe.

“You doing okay?” Dustin asks as he kills the engine.

“I’m good.” I shrug. “I mean, I might puke. But otherwise, yeah …”

“I’ll hold your hair.” He hops out of the truck without another word.

Before I have a chance to think, he’s at my door.

“That’s gross,” I say, hopping out and landing inches away from him.

“You’re the one telling me you’re going to lose your muffins.” He smiles playfully. “I’m just saying I’ve got you. Even in that.”

I stare up into his dancing blue eyes. “You do. Thank you.”

“My pleasure.” He winks. “Now, let’s go claim your prize.”

He’s so convincing, I accidentally say, “Our prize,” instead of refuting the idea that we won.

Cathy approaches us, her heels clicking on the pavement. “Here you are!”

We greet her and are whisked into the estate, Dustin is taken somewhere while I’m brought into one of the bedrooms on the first floor to have my makeup and hair refreshed.

“Final episode,” Cathy explains. “We want things to be a little more polished. Viewership was at an all-time high watching the footage of you two cooking your dessert last night. Everyone is on pins and needles to see who won.”

“Pins and needles describes it well,” I say.

“Nerves are normal,” Cathy assures me. Then she presses her headset and says, “Yes. Yes. I’m on my way.” She turns back to me. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a fire to put out. Ah! Fire! And you’re dating a fireman! Well, too bad he can’t extinguish this one!”

She scurries out of the bedroom, chatting into her headset as she goes.

An hour later, Dustin and I have been reunited with the other couple under the hot lights of the set. It feels like months since we were here, living on site, baking together. Only, today there’s a live studio audience in the rows of seats that have been set up just behind the cameras.

The cameraman counts down. Someone shouts, “Quiet on the set!” and one of the crew snaps the clapperboard before darting out of frame.

Then we’re live.

Kamela speaks into the camera while the judges file into their six seats behind a raised judging table. Our competitors stand across from us, facing the camera and looking as nervous as I feel.

I think they’re going to get right into announcing the winner, but instead, the screen behind us lights up with a montage of our week at the estate. First it runs through the experience of the other couple. Then Kamela says a few comments about their time at the estate.

We pause for a commercial break. When we return, there’s a montage of Dustin’s and my week. We’re shown competing, walking together on the grounds, even working out at the gym the one time he talked me into it. I knew there were cameras in all public spaces, but I had no idea how much footage they had captured.

After the montage ends, Kamela turns to Dustin and me and asks, “Are you ready to find out if your creation won the entire competition?”

“We’re ready,” Dustin answers for both of us.

He slips his arm around my waist and I lean into him.

“Alright. Let’s go to our judges for their impressions. Remember, you will be judged on the harmony of the components, technical execution and creative interpretation of the theme, which is Unity: The Ultimate Shared Dessert.”

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