Page 144 of A Very Merry Enemy
“Shall we?” Lucas asks, and I grab two spoons. We tap our utensils together.
Lucas takes a bite and closes his eyes. “This is it. It’s incredible.”
I taste mine and have to agree. There is just enough richness from the ice cream without overpowering the other flavors. The shortbread and fudge with the ice cream makes it melt in my mouth. The combination of textures is perfect.
“We’re ready,” I say, but my anxiety about competing twists in my stomach. I know how cruel Dominic can be, how particular he is. He will not go easy on me.
“Hey.” Lucas turns me to face him. “We’ve got this. Stop overthinking.”
“I can’t help it. It’s what I do.”
He kisses my forehead. “We’re going to walk in there Saturday, bake our asses off, and win.”
I want to believe him.
We clean the kitchen together, and I gather my things. “I should go. Don’t want to be late.”
“You sure you don’t want to skip?” His hand slides to my hip. “Come back to my place instead?”
“Tempting.Very tempting.But they’ve barely seen me this week. I should probably show my face.”
“Fair enough.” He steals one more kiss. “Text me later?”
“Of course.”
Lucas watches me with that soft expression.
I love you.The words sit on my tongue, desperate to come out.
But what if it’s too soon? What if he thinks I’m rushing things? We just started this—really started this, even though it’s been decades in the making—a week ago. So, I swallow the words down and just smile. “Great job today.”
“You too.” Something flickers in his eyes, like he can sense what I’m not saying. “See you tomorrow?”
“See you tomorrow.”
We lock up the bakery and leave at the same time.
As I drive home in the setting December sun, I should feel accomplished and proud. Instead, I feel like I’m standing on the edge of a cliff, waiting to fall.
When I pull into the driveway, the first thing I notice is the black Mercedes parked next to my mom’s SUV.
My stomach drops.
No. No, no, no.
I sit in the driveway for a long moment, gripping the steering wheel, trying to calm my racing heart. Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe it’s just someone else’s Mercedes.Maybe?—
Through the window, I see him. Dominic Laurent, standing in my parents’ kitchen, laughing at something my father just said.
Rage floods through me.
I get out of the car and walk up the driveway on shaking legs. After a deep breath, I walk inside. Dominic sees me and his face lights up with the charming smile that used to make me weak. Now, it just makes me want to throw something at his head.
“Ma chérie!” He opens his arms like he expects me to hug him. “What perfect timing. Your parents and I were just having the most delightful conversation.”
“What are you doing here?” The words come out harsher than I intended but I don’t care.
“Holiday!” My mother appears behind Dominic. “Look who stopped by! Isn’t this a lovely surprise?”
