Page 102 of The Baking Games

“Your driver? So fancy, Savannah Greene, winner of The Baking Games.”

She smiles. “Thank you for helping me get through this competition, Rhett. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

“Sure you could have, Sunny.” I walk over and pull her into a hug, pressing my lips to the top of her head.

“I bet you’re relieved,” she says, her face pressed to my chest.

I pull back. “Why would I be relieved?”

“Because you don’t have to pretend anymore, right?”

Then it dawns on me. Pretend to be in love with her. Pretend that we’re in a relationship.

“Right. No more cameras to worry about,” I say, looking around the room. Production is packing up just like we are.

Suddenly, I freeze. To her, it was all make-believe. I can’t admit my feelings and get shut down. It would shatter my already fragile heart even more than it’s shattered right now.

“Well, I’d better get downstairs. Thank you so much for supporting me in this competition. Take care of yourself, Rhett. ”

“You too, Sunny. Enjoy all that money,” I say, forcing a smile. Why is this so awkward?

She walks down the stairs, opens the front door, and disappears.

SAVANNAH

I’m alone outside in the hot Georgia summer sun.

My car is here, but Rhett isn’t beside me. He didn’t say he cared about me. He didn’t ask me to be with him. He just agreed with me that it was nice not to have to pretend anymore.

This really was all a fantasy, and most of it was created in my own mind.

It was all for the show. He told me that, but I guess a part of me wanted to believe that he was falling in love with me.

I refocus myself and remember that I did this for Sadie and for me. Now, our lives can finally start. Sadie is probably online filling out college applications already, and the thought makes me smile.

I did it. I made it happen.

Sure, the audience probably kept me around longer because they were obsessed with Rhett and me. But most of it I did myself. After all, I didn’t agree to the fake relationship until last week. It was just the cherry on top.

“Ready?” my driver asks as he exits the dark SUV.

“Yep.”

He loads my luggage into the back before opening my door. “Your chariot awaits, ma’am.”

I climb inside and take one final look at The Baking Games house. This is the place where my life changed. Where I learned I’m worthy of being called a great pastry chef. Where I felt my heart open for the first time and where my heart was broken by the man I swore was my rival.

RHETT

I run downstairs, determined to catch Savannah before she leaves. All I see is the back of a black SUV turning at the end of the road.

I missed her. I missed my one chance.

I didn’t tell her how I felt while she was right in front of me.

What kind of an idiot am I?

Now, she’s about to be on a plane headed for home, and I’m heading to my next cruise ship. I don’t even have her phone number!

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