Page 134 of Going for Gold (Sweet Cravings 3)

Oh my God. "Wait, Kristen, did you know that Bryce was in Wilmington?"

"Yeah, but I couldn't ruin the surprise."

I laughed and walked over to Tim. "I don't want to hit you." Instead I gave him a huge hug.

"I knew it," he said, once I released him from my hug. "You did appreciate the perfect men I found. I was telling Bryce that you'd like their above average length and girth. You're welcome, Alina." He beamed at me.

"Yeah...don't push it."

"I told you it would work out, my love," Tim said and slapped Bryce on the back, completely ignoring what I had just said.

Bryce laughed. "Now when I tell you to stop saying that you should actually listen, or Kristen will get jealous."

"Nonsense. Kristen is fine with our relationship."

Alex cleared his throat. "You should listen to Bryce, man. Oh, and Alina, this is Isadora."

"It's really nice to meet you," I said and shook her hand.

"Nice to meet you as well," she said in English with a Brazilian accent. "And you never have to worry about Rodrigo again. I killed him. I love your bakery! It is so cute."

"Aw, thanks. Wait, what?" Did she just say she killed Rodrigo?

Alex laughed awkwardly. "English is her second language. I'm sure you didn't mean that, right Isadora?"

"No, that's what I mean," she said. "I shot him in the face."

We were all silent for a second.

"You're so funny," Alex said. He turned to Isadora and whispered something in her ear. "Anyway, back to painting."

She shrugged. "Sure...I'm just kidding," she said and grabbed a paintbrush. "That's what you all say when you make a lie?"

"Mhm. See, she was just joking." Alex picked up a paintbrush too.

When they were out of earshot, I turned to Bryce. "You don't really think..."

"I'm pretty sure she was serious. Look it up. Rodrigo was shot at Copacabana Palace the day of the tiebreaker."

I put my hand over my mouth. "Oh my God, I saw a news report about that."

"Anyway, let me show

you the new ovens." He grabbed my hand and pulled me behind the counter. "Aren't these great?" he asked.

My phone started buzzing. I pulled it out of my pocket. It was my agent. He probably wanted to terminate our contract. There was no point in delaying it. I lifted up my phone.

"Hey, Scott."

"Alina! The phones have been ringing nonstop. Why haven't you been answering my calls?"

"I've been out of town."

"Yeah, well, we need to talk. I know you wanted to retire after the ITAs, but you have a ton of offers for pro teams."

I looked over at Bryce. He was examining the new oven. He turned to me and put his thumb up. There was no way I was going to drop everything and move to some other city to play pro. I had never wanted to do that. And with Bryce right in front of me, the thought was even less appealing.

"Scott, I haven't changed my mind. I'm officially retired."

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