Page 34 of The Autumn We Fell in Love

If I’ve got her, I’ve got everything.

I lean forward in my seat, elbows on my knees, and watch my girl defy all the laws of time and space to get her cheese sauce entry done in time. She’s practically doing four things at any one moment, hands flying above her cook space like a busy flock of birds.

She’s so beautiful, and I can see from the way she cooks that she’s talented too. Brie has shown more confidence for the entirety of this competition than most of the other contestants that I’ve observed. There’s no hesitation in her body, no question on her face as she hauls ass to get her fondue finished.

I think of my Croque Madames cooling at my cook space, almost complete. I know my sandwiches are damn good — but from the way Brie handles herself, I wouldn’t be surprised if she beat me out, given the chance.

A camera dives in for a close-up of me, blocking Brie from my view. Saffron and Basil accompany it. I try not to straight-up growl at them in my frustration at not being able to see my girl in the final minutes of the competition.

“How do you feel about having stepped out of the competition to assist Brie?” Saffron says.

“Pretty damn good,” I say shortly. Maybe if I give them what they want, but not too much of it, they’ll go away.

“Do you know her outside of this competition?” Basil asks, genuinely curious.

I shake my head. “We ran into each other in the hotel yesterday, but we didn’t spend more than a few minutes together.”Thanks to Gretchen, I grumble silently, wondering if she’s in the audience.

I spin around in my seat, and sure enough there she is in the middle of the crowd. She makes eye contact, scowls, then looks quickly away.

I guess I got through to her after all.

“Then why did you do it?” Saffron asks, cutting through my thoughts. “Why sacrifice your chances for the benefit of a stranger — and a rival?”

Whipping back around, my answer is out of my mouth before my mind has caught up. “Because I love her.” I stab a finger at Brie. “I’m going to marry that girl, if she’ll have me.”

Saffron and Basil’s shock mirrors my own.

And then I start grinning like a damn fool. Because I mean every word. Brie is mine and mine alone, if she consents. I’m not going to let any other guy get his hands on her. I’m going to make my love for her official at the soonest possible opportunity.

Basil’s mouth is dangling open. “But . . . you just said —“

“I know what I said,” I snap, hating that he’s questioning my love for Brie, “and I stand by it, every syllable.”

“So you’re a man that believes in love at first sight?” Saffron says, eyes glowing.

I think for a moment. “You know, I don’t think I was before. But now that I’ve met Brie, she’s changed that.”

“Well, that’s a first for this competition, Basil,” she says, turning to him. “A real romance.”

“I hope it’s not too cheesy for your taste,” he quips.

Saffron opens her mouth to respond, but the audience suddenly drowns her out. Everyone’s counting down from ten. Eyes flying to the clock, I see there are only seconds left for the competitors.

Brie hasn’t slowed down, but she’s focused and calm. When the buzzer sounds, signaling the end of the competitors’ cook time, her eyes laser straight in on me, a triumphant smile spreading over that gorgeous face.

I can tell just from that look — she did it. She beat the odds and fucking nailed her fondue.

My chest fills with pride and happiness and so much respect for this woman that I’ve only just met but somehow already know is my future.

Basil and Saffron direct the cooks to step away from their stations while they begin assessing the entires. Exhausted, the competitors move to claim the empty seats reserved for them near the audience.

Except Brie.

She runs straight to me, eyes dancing, face more dazzling than the brightest star. Standing, I open my arms to her and she throws herself into them.

Nothing has ever felt so right.

I clutch her close, feeling how fast her heart is beating, knowing that mine is racing at a similar clip. Because I have her. She’s here, in my arms, my fingers buried in her blonde hair.

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