Page 171 of A Very Merry Enemy
She walks away to rejoin the other judges, and I’m left standing with the folder in my hand. My mind is blank.
My own bakery in Nashville. Partnering withtheMary Carter, one of the most respected names in southern baking. I’ll have creative control, my name on the door, and equal ownership.
It’s everything I’ve ever dreamed about. She’s my baking hero.
I look across the tent and see Lucas laughing with Hudson and Jake, probably talking about the fight. His family surrounds him, celebrating. Mawmaw is showing the trophy to anyone who will look. My family is mixed in with his—my mom talking to his mom, my sister chats about Sammy, and everyone is together like they’ve always been.
I can’t stop watching Lucas. This is his home. His life. His family’s business spans generations. His roots go so deep here, they’re practically part of the soil. And he’s my home, too.
“Holiday?” Bella appears beside me. “How are you?”
“Just…processing.”
“Yeah, Sammy punching Dominic was the most badass thing I’ve ever seen. Your brother is going to be a knownlegend.”
“Yeah.” I clutch the folder to my chest. “He already is.”
“But you won!” She gives me a hug. “You actually won! And Dominic’s career seems to be over. Everything worked out!”
“It’s a day I’ll never forget.”
“Come on, everyone’s going to Mawmaw’s to celebrate. And apparently, to plan Sammy’s breakout of jail strategy. You coming?”
“Yeah. I’ll be right there.”
She walks away, and I’m left standing alone with a folder that might change everything.
Lucas catches my eye from across the tent and gives me that dimpled smile that makes my heart skip.
He mouthsYou okay?
I nod, forcing a smile.
But I’mnotokay because I just got offered my dream job. Everything I’ve worked toward my entire career, everything Dominic stole from me, I can finally have for myself. My own bakery in a big city with my name on the door alongside Mary Carter’s. It would be my recipes, my vision, and my reputation restored.
The only problem?
Nashville is twelve hundred miles away from Merryville. That’s twelve hundred miles between Lucas and me. It’s an eighteen-hour drive away from this life we just started building together. And I have ten days to decide.
I watch him laugh with his brothers. I could never ask him to leave everything he’s built. He’s made it very clear he won’t move away from his family, the home he built, his entire career. Merryville is in his blood.
But how can I turn down this opportunity? Especially after everything Dominic took from me.
I tuck the folder under my arm and plaster on a smile as Lucas walks over and pulls me close.
“Ready to go celebrate?” he asks, kissing my temple. “Mawmaw’s making a feast.”
“Yeah. Let’s go.”
He doesn’t notice the folder, doesn’t comment on how my hands are shaking. Lucas has no idea how much things have changed in the span of five minutes.
But tonight, we will celebrate our win and each other.
CHAPTER 35
LUCAS
The caravanto Mawmaw’s house is ten vehicles long. Cars are honking, people are hanging out of windows, shouting congratulations, and someone—probably Jake—is blasting Christmas music so loud, I can hear it from three cars back. We won. Today should feel perfect.
