“I think it's a special-occasion thing,” Holly told him, ruffling his hair.
“It's definitely a good activity if it's day five of Christmas vacation and it's sleeting outside,” Anu said. “You could keep kids occupied for hours!”
*
“And?”Nick asked when the last contestant had presented. “Who do we like as the winner?”
“I think the guy who made the little pudding cups is definitely out,” Anu said. “Not only did they look like alien eggs, they also tasted mealy.”
“Holly should win,” Davy piped up. We were now on hour seven of him being glued to me. There was not an adult Svensson in sight.
“That works for me,” Anu said. “I loved the flavors in her cake. And the height was impressive. It had structural integrity. Also it seemed fun for kids without being condescending.”
Holly and the boys jumped up and down and high-fived when we told them they'd won. I forced myself to keep my eyes on her face and not on her tits when they threatened to spill out of the low-cut bodice.
I tried calling Walker then several of his brothers while interviews were being done. None of them answered their phones. The filming was done, and the Svensson brothers were milling around in the studio when Walker finally responded.
Walker:Just take them to your apartment. Someone will come get them in a little bit.
Owen:I've been babysitting them all day.
Walker:Think of this as a test for when you and Holly have a million kids.
Owen:Two, maybe three max.
Walker:Have you even asked her out yet?
Owen:She's a contestant. I shouldn't.
Walker:Ah yes because we don't want to corrupt the integrity ofThe Great Christmas Bake-Off, now do we?
Holly was laughing with the Svensson brothers. They were all sampling the cakes.
“I'm hungry,” Henry complained when I walked over.
“But there's all this cake!” Holly exclaimed.
“I want macaroni and cheese.”
“Your brothers aren't ready to come pick you guys up,” I told them, “so you're going to hang with me.”
“They're not?” Holly said, shocked.
I shrugged. “The Svenssons leaving their little brothers just lying around is pretty standard.”
“But it's dinnertime,” Andy complained.
“Can we order pizza?” Isaac asked me.
“I know Mace doesn't want you eating garbage for dinner.”
“Are you going to cook?” he asked incredulously.
I looked around helplessly. I could barely cook for myself, let alone twenty kids.
Holly was clearly struggling not to laugh. “Why don't I come up and cook?”
25
