Page 94 of Fire and Icing

“Unusual, huh?” She bumps into me playfully.

I pretend to reel sideways from the impact. She laughs and something settles deep inside me.

Emberleigh spends the rest of our walk to the fitness center telling me about this cloud-like dessert made of merengue and filled with a cream filling. My stomach growls even though I had breakfast less than an hour ago.

This contest day is different with only three of us in the mix. It’s quieter, but the tension is thick. Every one of these couplesdeserves to be here. And we all have our eyes on the prize. By the time the three hours are up, we’ve presented our desserts and all three couples are standing side-by-side. One of us will go home as soon as the judges announce their decision.

The judge who keeps smiling too often at Emberleigh, that man with the real French accent, Jeff, or Geoff, or whatever his name is, addresses us on behalf of the panel of judges.

“All three of you have created masterpieces. We expect nothing less from you at this point in the competition. Only two of you will progress to the finals. The first couple going through is Mateo and Cassidy.”

My arm is around Emberleigh’s waist. She bends forward and says, “Congratulations” to Mateo and Cassidy.

The on-set director motions for Mateo and Cassidy to step to the side so they are off screen.

Emberleigh and I remain next to Daniel and Emily. We’ve shared meals with them and gotten to know them a little as the week has progressed. Emily owns a bakery in Connecticut. Daniel is a tax accountant.

Geoff expounds on the qualities that stood out in each of our desserts.

“The pavlova,” he says, looking at Emberleigh. “Truly gave a sense of your dynamic. The combination of heat and sweetness. Structure …” he glances at me. “And a hidden softness.” He smiles at Emberleigh.

I fight the urge to roll my eyes. Yeah, we get it. Geoffrey’s all about Team Emberleigh.

He continues with his compliment, eyes fixed on her. “We were impressed with the complexity of flavors and the execution of the texture. Therefore, Emberleigh and Dustin will be the other couple progressing into the finals.”

Emberleigh’s hands fly up to cover her mouth. She looks up at me, eyes wide.

I pull her into an embrace and she holds on to me.

“We made it!” she says, looking up at me.

“You did it,” I tell her.

“I couldn’t have done it without you.” Her words are quiet and sincere, her eyes fixed on mine.

I smile down at her, hoping she can read through my expression. I’m silently telling her I never want to do anything without her again.

Chapter 20

Emberleigh

Chase your dreams but always know

the road that will lead you home again.

~ Tim McGraw

I wake surroundedby pillows to the left and right of me. I snuggle into my bedding. I’m not exactly wrapped around Dustin like I was on our first night together, but his arm is casually draped over my torso like a weighted blanket. I allow myself to indulge in staring at his scruffy morning stubble. His lashes fan out on his cheekbones. His hair is a rumpled mess on his pillow.

We’re friends. Friends who kissed like we were on fire.

In another life, if I weren’t so skittish and realistic, I’d choose him.

I’ve never been so tempted to throw caution to the wind and chase after someone as I am with the sandy-haired giant sleeping next to me. He’s everything I never knew I wanted in a partner: kind, funny, easy-going, protective, thoughtful, and sexy.

But he’s not from Waterford. He’s here because the fire station offered him a job. And he’s a country singer. We all know what happens when country singers get within a hundred-mile radius of Nashville. They start dreaming. And those dreams tug at them like an electromagnet until they’re no longer able to resist.

People who had valid reasons to stay in Waterford have left as soon as better opportunities called to them. Dustin’s got nothing keeping him in our small town. He’ll leave too. It’s only a matter of time.

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