Page 46 of Building Romance
We both look at him. “You won’t fit on a cot,” I say with a laugh.
He narrows his eyes. “Don’t question me, Tanner. We’ll make it work.”
“OK, phew. Good. Now, go win this competition,” she whispers as she looks around. “Don’t tell the other team, but I’m rooting for you.”
“Thanks,” I manage.
Felicity leaves us to finish prepping and Fletcher places his hand on my arm as I go to turn. I look back at him.
“It’s an omen. Something good will happen now,” he says as if he’s some kind of psychic.
“I hope so,” I say as the show’s director yells out directions and we steady ourselves for the last competition.
I’m silent as the judges stand at our station tasting my candied cranberry cupcakes with orange frosting. I’ve told them my inspiration story. Fletcher has stood silent, watching me do my thing.
I honestly can’t tell what they’re thinking. They asked similar questions of our competitor team, and now, I have no idea.
The head judge who is some celebrity chef on television sets down the remainder of the cupcake and looks at us and then at his two fellow judges.
“We’ll be right back. We need to compare notes,” he says and they all step outside the area to talk.
I feel sweat dripping down my back. I’ve never been so nervous in my life.
“I think I might die from anxiety,” Fletcher mutters.
I laugh nervously.
I’m about to say I feel the same when the judges walk back inside.
“That was fast,” I mutter under my breath.
They stand in the front of the area and look at both teams.
“It was a tough decision. Team Benson’s Bakery, your chocolate mint cupcakes were delightful. They really brought out the peppermint flavor that many of us nostalgically remember at the holidays. And, Team Cam’s Café, your candied cranberry and orange-frosted cupcakes were the perfect combination of flavors so many of us remember at holiday meals. But one team’s cupcake stood out for its unique blend of flavors and textures. And so I am happy to announce the winner of this year’s City Bake-Off is…Team Cam’s Café,” the head judge says.
I try to process what he’s saying but I think I’m in shock. I stand there with my mouth falling open, my eyes wide.
“We did it!” Fletcher says excitedly as he picks me up and hugs me, spinning us both in a circle.
I laugh and throw my head back as I realize I did it. I might just be able to keep my dream café.
Fletcher sets me down and we grin at each other like fools.
“Congratulations,” the head judge says as all the judges walk over to see us.
The next half hour is filled with congratulations and celebratory drinks. My head is spinning by the time we finally get back to our suite.
We walk in and I immediately note the cot in the living room. Shit. I completely forgot about that.
“You can have my room,” Fletcher insists.
“No, I…Fletcher, that cot is so small. It’s fine. I don’t care,” I state. I’m still riding the high of the win and I honestly couldn’t care less if I slept on the floor.
“I care,” he says and I turn to look at him. That heat is in his eyes again, the one that makes it feel like he’s going to eat me alive.
I shiver under the intensity of whatever is happening between us. I haven’t wanted a man this bad in…well, forever.
“I…” I swallow because I don’t know what to say.
