I lean back on the bench, tugging her closer until she has no choice but to look at me.
“Diane baked a better cake.”
Her brows knit, eyes narrowing like she’s planning to argue with me. “You still deserved it.”
She means it. I can hear it in her voice.
“I did win,” I say.
She blinks, confused. “What?”
I shift closer, bracing my hands on the table behind her, caging her in without touching her. I dip my head just enough to hold her gaze.
“Just not the show,” I murmur.
Understanding flickers across her face as I close the space between us again, our noses brushing in a quiet, almost hesitant nuzzle before I kiss her—slow, deep, intentional.
For the first time all summer, the future feels uncertain in a way that has nothing to do with baking or prizes or restaurants.
The girl who showed up late and made a mess of everything somehow turned into someone I can’t imagine my life without. Didn’t see that one coming. Wouldn’t change it either.
Now I just have to figure out how to make eighteen hours feel a whole lot smaller.
CHAPTER 28: TAYLOR
Less than twelve hours ago, I was tangled up in Alex for what could be the final time. I did my best to hide the way my heart was crumpling over what happens next for us, but I’m pretty sure he saw the tears building as he opened my car door for me to slide into the driver’s seat.
He brushed a thumb over my cheek and kissed me softly, murmuring against my lips, “I’ll see you later.”
Not goodbye, just I’ll see you later, like a promise that this isn’t the end for us.
God, I hope it isn’t the end of whatever we are.
Never in a million years would I have thought that a carefully controlled storm cloud would fit into all the hollow places inside me. But maybe that’s what people mean when they say opposites attract—all the places where you dip, they rise naturally to meet you.
Nothing explains Alex and me better than that strange, perfect balance.
A warm ocean breeze whips my hair into a frenzy as I cross the parking lot. I take a steadying breath as I step through the doors of the same mundane office building that I’ve spent far too much time in over the last five years.
Against every rational thought, I know what I need to do. If I don’t give my resignation today while I’m still riding the buzz of the finale, I’ll get trapped in the cycle of my old life before I realize it's happening.
“Morning, Sunshine!” Kara chirps, expression shifting as she takes in my squared shoulders and determined pace. “Oh shit, it’s go time.”
My steps don’t slow as I stalk down the hall to The Trunch’s office and knock on the door, sharp and loud. The timid girl whoused to cower at the thought of confrontation is nowhere to be found.
I don’t wait for a response. My hand immediately finds the knob, twisting and pushing the door open to find Karen staring back at me, startled.
Karen sits at her desk, a breakfast sandwich halfway to her mouth as she takes me in. Her eyes sharpen, and she smirks at me. “If it isn’t Little Miss Hollywood. Oh wait… you didn’t win, did you? Such a sh—”
For five years, I swallowed comments like that and told myself it was normal. No more.
“I quit.”
My expression is carefully neutral as I cut her off. There’s no need to play nice if I’m quitting. She’s a terrible person who thrives on making others—namely me—miserable.
I don’t have to stand for it.
Not anymore.
