Page 168 of A Very Merry Enemy
Patty Morrison approaches the microphone.
“If I may,” she says, “I just want to add that what we witnessed today went far beyond baking. We saw courage. We saw someone stand up for themselves. And that matters more than any competition.” She looks directly at me. “Holiday, you’re not just a talented baker. You’re aninspiration.”
I’m crying so hard, I can barelysee.
Marcus, Mary, and Thomas join us, congratulating us individually. Mary pulls me into a warm hug.
“You were exceptional,” she says.
“Thank you so much. I own both your cookbooks. You’re one of my heroes.”
“And I’m honored to call you a colleague.” She smiles. “Actually, I’d love to talk to you privately before I leave today. Do you have a few minutes?”
“Of course! Absolutely.”
“Wonderful. Find me when things settle down.”
She moves away, and I’m pulled into another round of hugs. Jake lifts me off the ground. Hudson kisses the top of my head. Emma is crying almost as much as I am.
Lucas and I are posing for photos with the trophy when I hear shouting from the entrance.
“Fuck you!”
My blood runs cold.
Dominic.
Everyone turns toward the commotion. The security guards who escorted him out are struggling with someone at the tent entrance.
Dominic’s voice is hoarse, raw.
He’s charging into the tent. His chef’s whites are disheveled. His face is red and blotchy, and he looks completely unhinged.
“This is bullshit!” he screams, pointing at the judges’ table.
Mayor Thompson steps forward. “Sir, you need to leave?—”
“She belongs to me!” Dominic’s voice cracks.
“Nah,” Lucas says, shaking his head. “She doesn’t.”
His eyes land on Lucas, and something in his expression shifts to pure rage.
“You!” He charges toward us. “You ruined my life!”
Everything happens so fast.
Dominic lunges at Lucas with his fists raised. I scream. Lucas pushes me behind him. But before Dominic can reach us, two bodies intercept him.
Jake and Hudson.
Hudson catches Dominic’s fist mid-swing, his face cold and terrifying. Jake has Dominic’s other arm twisted behind his back in a hold that makes Dominic cry out.
“You’re fucking done here,” Hudson says, his voice deadly calm.
“Get off me!” Dominic thrashes against them, but it’s no use. The Jolly brothers are huge. “She was mine! He stole everything from me!”
“Holiday was never yours,” Jake says, tightening his grip. “And you need to leave before I break both your legs.”
