Chapter 34 #2
“Good.” She glances around to make sure no one’s listening. “I don’t want to add to an already overwhelming day, but I have a time-sensitive opportunity I’d like to discuss with you.”
My heart starts beating faster. “Okay.”
“I’m opening a new bakery in Nashville in February. It’s going to be a flagship location. Very upscale, innovative, and focused on elevating southern baking traditions.” She looks at me intently. “I want you to be my partner.”
The words don’t register at first. “I’m sorry, what?”
“Partner. Equal ownership. Your recipes, your creative control, your name on the door alongside mine at Adorable Bakery.” She pulls out a folder from her bag.
“I’ve been following your career since Paris.
I knew Dominic was taking credit for your work—everyone in the industry knew, but no one wanted to call him out.
When I heard you were competing today, I had to see you in action. Everyone here did.”
I stare at her, unable to form words.
“Your technical skill is exceptional,” she continues.
“But more than that, you have heart. You understand what makes people connect with food. That’s rare.
And now that the truth about Dominic is out there?
Your reputation is going to skyrocket. People are going to want to support you, to taste your real work. This is perfect timing.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“Say you’ll think about it.” She hands me the folder.
“Everything’s in here. Salary, ownership percentage, creative control, along with timelines.
It’s a substantial offer, Holiday. This could launch you into a completely new level of your career.
Your own bakery, your own recipes, in a major market. Nashville is exploding right now.”
I take the folder with numb fingers. “Thank you. I’ll think about it.”
“I need to know by Christmas Eve,” Mary says apologetically. “I have interviews scheduled the week after Christmas, and I don’t want to waste anyone’s time if you’re interested in teaming up with me. If you have questions, call me. My number’s in there.”
“Christmas Eve,” I repeat. That’s ten days away.
“I know it’s fast. And I understand today has been…a lot.” She squeezes my arm gently. “But this is real, Holiday. This is your shot. Everything you’ve worked for. Think about it carefully.”
She walks away to rejoin the other judges, and I’m left standing with the folder in my hand. My mind is blank.
My own bakery in Nashville. Partnering with the Mary Carter, one of the most respected names in southern baking. I’ll have creative control, my name on the door, and equal ownership.
It’s everything I’ve ever dreamed about. She’s my baking hero.
I look across the tent and see Lucas laughing with Hudson and Jake, probably talking about the fight.
His family surrounds him, celebrating. Mawmaw is showing the trophy to anyone who will look.
My family is mixed in with his—my mom talking to his mom, my sister chats about Sammy, and everyone is together like they’ve always been.
I can’t stop watching Lucas. This is his home. His life. His family’s business spans generations. His roots go so deep here, they’re practically part of the soil. And he’s my home, too.
“Holiday?” Bella appears beside me. “How are you?”
“Just…processing.”
“Yeah, Sammy punching Dominic was the most badass thing I’ve ever seen. Your brother is going to be a known legend.”
“Yeah.” I clutch the folder to my chest. “He already is.”
“But you won!” She gives me a hug. “You actually won! And Dominic’s career seems to be over. Everything worked out!”
“It’s a day I’ll never forget.”
“Come on, everyone’s going to Mawmaw’s to celebrate. And apparently, to plan Sammy’s breakout of jail strategy. You coming?”
“Yeah. I’ll be right there.”
She walks away, and I’m left standing alone with a folder that might change everything.
Lucas catches my eye from across the tent and gives me that dimpled smile that makes my heart skip.
He mouths You okay?
I nod, forcing a smile.
But I’m not okay because I just got offered my dream job.
Everything I’ve worked toward my entire career, everything Dominic stole from me, I can finally have for myself.
My own bakery in a big city with my name on the door alongside Mary Carter’s.
It would be my recipes, my vision, and my reputation restored.
The only problem?
Nashville is twelve hundred miles away from Merryville. That’s twelve hundred miles between Lucas and me. It’s an eighteen-hour drive away from this life we just started building together. And I have ten days to decide.
I watch him laugh with his brothers. I could never ask him to leave everything he’s built. He’s made it very clear he won’t move away from his family, the home he built, his entire career. Merryville is in his blood.
But how can I turn down this opportunity? Especially after everything Dominic took from me.
I tuck the folder under my arm and plaster on a smile as Lucas walks over and pulls me close.
“Ready to go celebrate?” he asks, kissing my temple. “Mawmaw’s making a feast.”
“Yeah. Let’s go.”
He doesn’t notice the folder, doesn’t comment on how my hands are shaking. Lucas has no idea how much things have changed in the span of five minutes.
But tonight, we will celebrate our win and each other.