Kelly’s mind reeled in an attempt to rewind to what they’d said. The show had been quite open about filming and recording throughout the whole process. She hoped she hadn’t said anything she’d regret. Over the past few days, she’d gotten so comfortable she’d kind of forgotten the cameras were even around.

The big screen suddenly filled with footage of the two of them talking in the green room.

Martin led Kelly and Andrew off to the side of the stage where they could see better.

She watched the two of them talking. His body language echoed her feelings—leaning in toward each other. Him touching her hand so gently. Her giggling as he pushed her hair back from her face. The tilt of her chin as she looked at him. There was still something there, and it wasn’t one-sided.

As they got to the part where she said they might get disqualified, her hands clenched.

“Don’t you two worry,” Martin said. “There’s no disqualification, but we are going to get down to a winner. Only one of you can win the hundred-thousand-dollar prize.”

Kelly’s lips quivered as she smiled.

Andrew probably wanted the money to open his restaurant. She just wanted validation. She hoped he won.

“We were going to have you both bake something, but instead we’ve decided to let the audience help choose the winner of this round. After all, we do have two huge desserts here.”

Whoops and whistles poured from the audience as a team of twelve people dressed in white chef jackets made their way out on stage to begin serving cake.

They split into two teams, six on each of the cakes.

Martin explained how things were going to be decided. “Our team of bakers will begin passing out cake to everyone in the audience. While they’re getting that going, everyone will find a controller under their seat. Once all of the cake has been distributed, we’ll have a countdown, and you’ll select your favorite pastry chef.”

The white-coated bakers carried trays with plates of cake out to the audience, making short work of it.

“Those who choose Andrew’s as being the most creative, most applicable to the proposal theme of Marry Me, and of course, taste, will choose A. Simple, A for Andrew. If Kelly’s entry meets those three points—creativity, theme, and taste—then you’ll be voting B on your controller.”

The two cakes on stage had quickly dwindled, the beautiful creations now reduced to what looked like the aftermath of an earthquake.

Excitement built in the room as the audience took to the task with fervor.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Chapter Thirty-Four

As they stood there next to each other on stage, Andrew reached for Kelly’s hand. She smiled and let him take it.