Warren.
I look away from his sour face, addressing the group. “Addison had something important to take care of. When she learns she won the competition, you will probably hear her celebration from wherever you are in town.”
A collective chuckle rolls through. I don’t look at Warren, because I don’t give a shit how he’s feeling right now.
“On behalf of Addison, thank you to everyone who came out today” —I sweep my arm behind me— “to the judges for being willing to make what was undoubtedly a tough choice, and to the fellow competitors who worked hard and gave my girl a run for her money.” I step away from the front with a nod and a smile.
There is more applause and a few claps on my back as I make my way into the crowd. I offer polite smiles and thank you’s, but my focus doesn’t stay on any one person for long. I want to find Addison.
People move past me, surging forward, ready to sample the trays of treats now that the event is over. I’m tall enough to see over the heads of three quarters of the people here, and when I look up to the judges table, I see a certain someone surreptitiously swipe a blueberry muffin from the tray Addison baked.
Beatrice.Her thick eyebrows draw together as she takes an angry bite from the top of the muffin, not bothering to peel off the wrapper. Her features soften and her eyes close. The look of enjoyment lasts for only a second. Her eyes snap open and her gaze darts around, checking to make sure she hasn’t been caught. She doesn’t see me.
I can’t wait to tell Addison about Beatrice. But, of course, first I have to find her.
I slip onto the sidewalk. I’m going to start my search at Sweet Escape, and if Addison isn’t there, I’m going to look every place I can think of.
“Brady,” a deep voice behind me says my name.
I’m slow to turn around, mostly because I don’t have time for this right now.
“Warren.” I tip my chin down in greeting.
“You’re an asshole, you know that?”
My eyes look fixedly over Warren, considering his position. Maybe I am an asshole. But I’ve been the nice guy my whole life, never making waves.
I want Addison, and if I have to be an asshole to get the girl I plan to love until I’m old and wrinkled, then so be it.
“Yep,” I say to Warren. “I know that. And I also know what it feels like to be in love with someone and not be the guy they choose. But I got over it. And you will too. I wish you the best man, I really do. But this happily ever after belongs to me, not you.”
I leave him open-mouthed and walk away, and when I get in my truck I point it toward Sweet Escape.
* * *
“I’m sorry,Brady, she’s not here. She hasn’t been home since this morning when she left for the bake-off.” Louisa’s apology floats through the air in the open doorway.
With a pang, I realize it’s not only Addison I’ve missed, but Louisa too.
I back up a step. “Would you mind if I explored the woods a little? There’s a spot we went to once…”
“Have at it, Brady.”
I thank her and head down the front porch steps, stopping only when Louisa calls out to me.
“Did she win?”
I turn back, beaming with pride. “She won.”
“I knew it!” Louisa pumps her fist into the air.
I continue on around the side of the house, over the slope of the backyard, past my cabin, and onto the path. I keep going, winding my way deeper and deeper, until I reach my destination.
But my hopes of finding her at the amphitheater are dashed. I stand at the top of the steps and look around. Nothing is here but dirt and pine straw.
Disappointed, I walk back through the woods and out to my truck. Louisa stands on the front porch, and we lock eyes. Her raised eyebrows ask the question, and the shake of my head answers it.
I get back in my truck and pull onto the main road.
