“Thank you.” Alex inclines his head in deference.
“Tell us about it.”
“Like Taylor’s, it’s inspired by where I grew up.” He clears his throat. “For my showstopper, you have a maple spice sponge layered with brown sugar butter cream and apple compote.”
Magnolia’s eyebrows lift. “That sounds lovely.”
Garrett slices into the cake, revealing flawless, identical layers. “The technique here is exceptional.”
“Oh yeah, that’s good.” Theo lets out a low whistle while Judy nods enthusiastically, waiting her turn to take a bite.
“These flavors are incredibly sophisticated.” Magnolia studies the design again. “And the design is something totally unexpected from you.”
Alex’s shoulders relax as Garrett sets down his fork. “This is the work of a highly trained baker.”
Alex gives a small nod, but Garrett continues.
“I would have liked to see just a touch more risk in the flavor profile. Don’t get me wrong, it’s beautifully executed. But very safe for a baker of your caliber.”
Disappointment flashes but he recovers quickly, offering the judges a solemn, respectful nod. “Understood.”
Magnolia turns to the final cake and Diane steps forward with a hopeful smile playing on her lips. Her cake is absolutely extraordinary.
Five tiers of delicate pastel buttercream rise in a spiral toward the sky. Intricate sugar flowers cascade down the sides like a waterfall. Tiny edible fireworks burst across the top tier in shimmering gold and silver.
Garrett circles the cake, examining every detail. “This is incredibly ambitious for a competition show like this, with the time that we gave you.”
Diane smiles faintly, nodding once. “I wanted to go big.”
Theo laughs. “Well, you definitely did that.”
Garrett slices carefully into the lowest tier. Inside, the layers are immaculate. I was proud of how even my layers were but Diane’s set the standard.
He takes a bite, then immediately reaches for another.
Magnolia’s eyes widen in delight as she chews her bite of cake longer than necessary, savoring every second of it.
Judy covers her mouth with her hand mumbling between her fingers, “Oh, wow.Diane…”
My stomach sinks just a little at their reaction. I steal a glance at Alex, and his eyes are trained upward, slightly glazed.
Garrett finally sets down his fork. “The flavors here are extraordinary.”
“Every element in your cake complements the next. I genuinely don’t know how you pulled this off.” Magnolia praises.
Diane shrugs lightly. “Lots of practice.”
Garrett steps back, folding his hands behind his back again. “All three of you should be incredibly proud of what you’ve accomplished here tonight.”
“Now comes the hard part.” Theo nods and Judy’s face falls. She looks paler than usual, like she might be sick.
“We need to deliberate.” Magnolia declares.
My pulse races again as the judges step away from the table, reconvening at the far end of the tent.
Guests have been arriving throughout the day in clusters, voices rising in excited bursts. Family and friends mingle with the eliminated contestants like a reunion unfolding across the lawn. We drift out to join them, stepping into the hum of conversation and movement as we wait for the judges to deliberate.
Kara stands near the dessert table, talking animatedly with my mom, both of them holding drinks and laughing. My chest fills with something warm and a little overwhelming.
