Page 47 of The Interception
“Our judges have been wowed by this contestant before, so we’re happy to announce Lori Marks and John Christenson as our second-place winners with their bacon-wrapped burger!” I break from Ender’s grasp long enough to offer Lori a big hug.
“Thank you so much for helping us. I appreciate you being so kind during this experience,” I say.
“Sure thing, honey. I’m praying you two took first.” We part and she almost knocks her partner over hugging him. The crowd gives another round of applause and shouting when the judgescommend them for their comaraderie with Ender and me. They didn’t have to help us, but they did so out of the kindness of their hearts.
I spy Sarah Beth, Lula, Leo, and…Andrew and Lottie in the stands. My mouth falls open and I wave at them. I’m not sure how they got seated together, but it looks like Lottie and Sarah Beth have already hit it off. They wave back and I nudge Ender.
“Look! That’s my brother and sister-in-law with your sister.”
His grin spreads wider. “I didn’t think my sister would make it. I’m glad Leo got her out of the house. No clue how he managed to get home, get her, and get here, but…man, I’m glad he did.”
“I don’t think your sister would have missed this for anything.” I’m surprised my brother made it, but so, so glad they’re here.
Oh my gosh, my brother saw me kiss Ender. Live. In person. My cheeks burn but there is no time to ponder what might happen after the competition is announced. The crowd has quieted enough for the announcement.
“Now the moment you have all been waiting for…the winner of the Thirtieth Annual Bay Bridge Cook-Off is no surprise to anyone.”
Ender squeezes my hand again and the world falls away. It’s just us and the announcer.
“Ender Langley and Layne Rossi!”
I burst into tears in front of God and everyone, fall to my knees, and sob. Ender kneels beside me and scoops me into his arms. He thanks God for this opportunity as we’re surrounded by other contestants. Cheers rise up out of the stadium, and I am in complete shock. Our family members manage to rush the field and make it into the circle of celebration.
“I’m so proud of you, sis!” Andrew lifts me up and spins me around, hugging me tightly. I can’t help squealing even though this has been his go-to hugging style with me since I was a toddler. I’m barely on my feet before Lottie goes in for a hug.
“I told you you’d win. I knew it!”
“Dinner is on me tonight. Everyone, all of you,” Andrew says, motioning toward Ender’s family as well.
“I know this is all so exciting, but if I could have everyone’s attention one more time.” The announcer works hard to wrangle everyone in. One glance at the monstrous trophy he’s holding, and I can see why. He’s probably tired of holding the thing! “It’s time to present the trophy and prize winnings to our beloved Timberwolf Ender and his lovely partner Layne.”
Ender accepts the trophy with our names engraved on it while I accept the big, fat check that is, hopefully, the answer to Sarah Beth’s financial woes and a nice start-up for my restaurant…that may or may not be in Savannah. I don’t know yet, but I pray God makes it clear to me before it’s time for me to head home.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Ender
I had not anticipateda celebratory dinner including Layne’s brother and sister-in-law, but when I discovered they’d driven down to watch, I realized they probably saw every tender moment Layne and I shared when I arrived. She’s a grown woman. She can make her own decisions about life and love. So, it shouldn’t bother me that her brother—her protective, hulking brother—has stared me down more than once. Fortunately, her sister-in-law, Charlotte, is a sweetie who easily smooths over tense moments. She and my sister seem to have hit it off well, so our cramped table of seven is finally beginning to feel like family instead of a bunch of strangers awkwardly eating a subpar dinner.
“I doubt this is anywhere close to as good as what you two made tonight. That was truly inspiring,” Charlotte says.
“I have to agree,” Sarah Beth adds. “You’ll have to recreate it for me sometime, En.” Lula crams a few more French fries into her mouth and grins. She doesn’t care what she eats as long as it’s French fries slathered with ketchup.
“Maybe when I get my restaurant opened, it can be the special,” Layne says, glancing my way. “You’re still going to come and eat there, right? I’ll name the sandwich after you.”
When we were leaving the stadium, she told me she was heading back to Savannah in the morning because the owner of the house was coming back to town tomorrow afternoon. She’s leaving.Tomorrow.
She nudges me, but there’s something different between us. It feels like an ending I never anticipated, which doesn’t make sense. I’ve known since the beginning that she lives in Savannah and I live here in Charleston. Of course, she’s going back home. She has plans, big dreams of opening her own restaurant in the heart of the historic district. I was a fool to think I could fit into those plans.
“Uh, yeah, that would be cool.” I push my food around on my plate a bit.
“The Ender,” Sarah Beth says. “Has an ominous ring to it if you ask me. Like it might just end you if you’re not careful.”
Leo chuckles.
“Hey, do I get a sandwich named after me?” Andrew asks. “I mean, I kind of did put you through culinary school.”
“Andrew!” Charlotte swats her husband’s hand. “Just because you paid for her to go to culinary school doesn’t mean she has to name food after you. Besides, the Lottie sounds much better than the Andrew.”
