He gave it a squeeze. His heart pounded so loud he wasn’t sure if she’d said anything when he’d taken it. As the cake was distributed to the audience members, the noise level rose significantly.

Andrew said to Kelly, “I don’t think any of the original recipes I’ve created since I left have been as good as anything we created together.”

“I know that’s not true. You’re a culinary artist,” she said. “I’m just doing what I love.”

“I want to do what I love too.” He never took his eyes off her. “With who I love.”

She rewarded him with a smile broader than the one in his heart. “Me too.” She moistened her lips. “So much,” she whispered.

“Are we ready?” Martin asked. “Help me count down from ten…nine…eight…seven…six…five…four…three…two…one. Cast your votes.”

The audience held their controllers, and on the big screen a graph began calculating votes. The bar chart shifted as the votes were counted. Andrew’s votes jumped higher, and then Kelly’s overtook the lead. The numbers stayed close, but as the last few votes registered, the winner was Kelly.

She stood there dumbfounded.

“You won,” he said, and with all his heart he was happy for the outcome.

Martin walked over to her. “Our winner of the Four Square Cooking Show Valentine’s Day Bake-Off! Kelly McIntyre.”

Like a Miss America beauty queen, her eyes filled with tears and her hands went to her face. She looked, wide-eyed, toward Andrew, shaking her head.

He stepped over and pulled her into his arms and swung her around. “Congratulations!”

Confetti in red, pink, and white began falling from the ceiling.

Her hands shook as Martin held a huge cardboard check in front of her.

“Our one-hundred-thousand-dollar prize winner.”

“Thank you,” Kelly said. “Thank you so much.” She turned to Andrew. “I can’t believe this.”

He pulled a macaron from what was left of his entry and handed it to her. “You deserve this.”

She read the word Yes on one side, and then turned it over and saw I Do. “Was that a mistake, or were you hedging your bets?”

“It was no mistake.”

“I know, I know. Everything you do is intentional.”

He pulled her into an embrace. “Except when I broke your heart.”

“Let’s never talk about that again.”

He tilted his head back. “Best thing I’ve heard all day. I really am the winner. You can have that check and title.”

She laughed. “I worked hard for that. You were tough competition.”

He reached for her hand and laced his fingers through hers.

“Best day ever,” she said.

Dawn rushed over to them. “I knew you two were perfect for this show. I’m forgiven, right?”

“Yes, I can’t believe you did all of that,” Kelly said.