Alice’s wedding cake contained five tiers, though only the top and bottom tiers had actually been constructed of cake. Those two layers featured a lot of texture and the deep-purple color Viola had chosen for her wedding. The middle three layers consisted of round platforms filled with cupcakes in complementary colors and three different flavors. It was a clever design, but risky. Brides would either love or hate the idea of cupcakes in place of a traditional wedding cake. Viola must have been intrigued since she chose Alice over Ned.
She’d selected a music theme in her groom’s cake design, creating an exact replica of David’s favorite guitar, with a string of flowers in the same deep purple draped over the neck.
When David and Viola crossed the stage to stand next to them, Alice grabbed Shannon’s hand and squeezed. Shannon squeezed back.
“Jacques, what did you think of our contestants today?”
“They’ve both done excellent work,” he said.
Shannon didn’t hear much after that as her eyes locked on Maya’s. In Maya’s expression, she found pride and support. Maya was a winner either way, since she’d mentored them both. But, though she was probably trying to stay objective, secretly Shannon hoped a part of Maya rooted for her to win. She’d taken this incredible journey with Maya from the beginning, and she was thrilled to be standing on this stage with her now.
“Maya, what about you? Both women were on your team.”
“And they’ve both made themselves very proud here today.” Of course, she wouldn’t give anything other than a safe answer.
“Well, our mentors are certainly being nicer than they were throughout the season, aren’t they?” Eric played to the audience, all of whom Shannon presumed had already seen the full season.
Though she’d been uncertain whether she wanted to, Shannon had watched the episodes with Jori and Sawyer. She’d been as nervous as she was excited. With a few exceptions, she was pleased with how the show came out. The producers had done some creative editing to play up the feud between her and Ned, when really there had only been the one confrontation when he ran his mouth about Maya.
“David, Viola, it’s time to hear your decision. Which set of cakes will be featured at your nuptials this weekend?”
“Clearly, I’m going to defer to my lovely bride-to-be in this case.”
“Oh, no, you’re not putting all the pressure on me.” Viola grabbed his lapel and jerked him across the stage to the far side.
“Seems our couple would like some privacy,” Eric said with an exaggerated wink. He made a slashing motion across his throat. “Cut their mics, please.” The audience protested when David and Viola huddled close together and whispered, but Eric waved them off. “Sorry, folks, one drawback of a live finale is that we can’t reveal it to you in editing later.”
The conference seemed like it lasted an hour, but Shannon knew it was probably less than a minute. When they rejoined the rest of the group, Eric signaled for their mics to be turned back on.
“So, who’s going to do the honors?” he asked, glancing between David and Viola.
“I suppose I am.” Viola spoke up. “Girls, we just loved both of your cakes. And I so wish we didn’t have to choose.” She looked at Eric as if he was going to suddenly agree with her. But he shook his head. “Oh, look at their hopeful faces. I don’t think I can break one of their hearts.”
David took her hand. “I guess it’s up to me then. I’m no stranger to breaking women’s hearts.” He paused for a round of laughter. “Shannon, your poker cake is amazing. The little figures even look like us. But since the wedding cake will be the focal point of the evening, that’s what we based our decision on. And while both were beautiful, we’ve decided that for our wedding we’d like the cupcake cake.”
Alice squealed and threw her arms around Shannon. Shannon stood stiffly in her grasp, too stunned to move. As her shock started to wear off, a wave of disappointment swamped her. She didn’t realize until that moment that she’d actually been expecting to win. Finally, she shook herself out of it and gave Alice a quick hug before graciously stepping back to let Alice receive her accolades.
She schooled her features into as polite an expression as she could manage. She nodded as the others onstage congratulated her on her efforts as well. She didn’t trust herself to speak without getting emotional.
She’d just spun away from a bone-crushing hug from Wayne, when she was caught up in another embrace, this one softer and much more intimate.
“I’m sorry,” Maya whispered.
Shannon thought she felt Maya press her lips to her temple, but the touch was fleeting, and when Maya released her quickly she was still reeling.
“It’s—no, it’s fine.” She smoothed her hands over the front of her chef coat, trying to control her conflicting emotions regarding the outcome of the show and the feel of Maya so close. “She earned it. You told me after the first challenge it’s all about pleasing your client. She bested me in that area today. I just can’t believe I lost to some damn cupcakes. I’ll never live that down.”
Maya laughed. “Your sculpting was incredible.”
“Not as good as yours.”
“Well, that’s a pretty high bar,” Maya said with a wink, and then her expression turned sheepish. “I have to—Alice is on my team. I have to be over there for a while.” She waved in Alice’s direction.
“Sure.” Shannon nodded.
That’s just perfect
.
Not only did I lose, but now I get to watch the woman I love gush over the woman who beat me.
“I’ll catch you at the after party?”
“Of course.” The producers were throwing a cocktail party back at a local club for the crew, the contestants, and their families.
“And maybe an
after
after party?” Maya raised her pierced brow in that sexy little way that had gotten to her since the beginning.
Shannon warmed at the reminder that there was life after the show. “As soon as we can.”
*
Maya slid the Cardkey into the hotel door, then pushed it open when the light turned green. As she entered, she set the Cardkey on the table by the door. She’d been pleasantly surprised when Shannon had slipped it to her during the after party earlier in the night.
The room appeared empty, but she heard the shower running through the partially open bathroom door. She pushed open the door slowly and leaned against the door frame. Shannon’s soapy body was clearly visible through the glass shower-stall door.
“Hey,” she called over the sound of the spray. “Do you want some company?”
“I’m getting out.” Shannon twisted off the water and opened the door.
Maya grabbed a towel and held it out for her. Shannon stepped close, and she wrapped the towel around her.
“I thought you might want to go home tonight.” She rubbed her hands over Shannon’s back.
Shannon shrugged. “The room was paid for. Might as well live the dream for one more night.”
Maya simply smiled at the edge of bitterness to Shannon’s words. “Maybe we should enjoy every inch of this room on Hugh’s dime.”
“Absolutely.” Shannon grabbed her waist and tugged her close, their lips finding each other.
Maya dropped the towel and slipped her hands over Shannon’s bare back. “Speaking of Hugh—”
“Okay, new rule. No talking about Hugh while one of us is naked.”
Maya laughed. “Noted. But, seriously, are you sure you want to sign up for this? I know what a whirlwind it can be after the show wraps. You’re going to be crazy busy and inundated with offers for interviews and jobs and promotional gigs.”
“It sounds like I should be asking you if you’re sure you want to sign up for this? I know how you like to be all low-profile and private.”
“I do. But for you—look, I don’t want to hold you back. This is going to be a very exciting time in your life. You should be able to enjoy it to the fullest.” She shouldn’t have brought this up now. But historically, they didn’t have the best timing when it came to serious discussions anyway.
Shannon cupped her face in both hands. “Don’t you know how I feel? How much I want—” She kissed Maya. “You started your journey with the show when you were in your twenties, with no responsibilities and, if you’re anything like the twenty-somethings I know, very few long-term goals.”
“I still have no responsibilities and very few long-term goals.”
Shannon smiled. “I began in a different place. I spent nine years in a marriage I probably never should have been in. For over ten years, I worked jobs I didn’t care about so I could be home nights and weekends with my daughter. I finally went to culinary school because I wanted a career I could love. But I didn’t come on the show for fame and fortune. I did it to prove something to myself, to find something for me. And all the work—all of these weeks—I did that.”
Maya nodded.
“I found you.”
“What?”
“Yes, this show taught me that I’m stronger than I thought and that I deserve to go after what I want. And I want to be the best pastry chef I can be. I don’t ever want to
have
to take a job. And I certainly don’t want anyone to ever tell me what I can and can’t do. So if being connected to this show means they own me, then I’m out.”
“You don’t know what you’re giving up.”
“Maybe not. But I don’t have to. Through everything else in my life, the one thing I’ve never had is a real partner—someone to truly share the journey with. And if that person is you, then that matters more to me than fame, or money, or whatever else comes along with it.”
Maya nodded. “
If
that person is me?”
“I didn’t scare you, did I? Are you freaking out?”
Maya pulled Shannon close, pressing against her. She buried her hand in the back of Shannon’s hair and breathed in the scent of her shampoo. “I’m not freaking out one bit.”
“You sound surprised.”
“I’ve never felt this way before.” Maya kissed her neck, getting distracted by the combination of Shannon’s warm skin and the glow spreading through her from Shannon’s declarations. “I’ve never been anyone’s
real partner
before.”
Shannon smiled and kissed her. “Do you need some time to get used to it?”
“Possibly. I’m thinking immersion therapy.” Maya led her back to the bedroom. “The more time we spend together, the more accustomed I’ll get.”
Shannon threw back the covers. “I’m willing to try. Why don’t you take off all those clothes and get in here?”
While Maya undressed, she said, “Since we’re discussing spending more time together, I’ve been thinking about a change of pace.”
“Yeah?”
Maya nodded. “I’ll keep my place in New York. But there’s no reason we can’t spend as much time as you want to here, as well.”
“I’m so glad to hear you say that.”
“Why?” She slid into bed next to Shannon and drew her close. Shannon’s arm came around her waist, and Maya wondered if she’d ever felt anything more perfect.
“Because Jori’s pregnant.”
“Really? That’s great.”
“I figure she might need some help at the bakery when she gets further along. I don’t want her to worry about anything but having a healthy, happy pregnancy.” She caressed Maya’s chest, then rested her hand over her breast. Maya’s nipple tightened and Shannon smiled, as if enjoying the sensation against her palm.
“So we have time for me to show you New York first?”
“Absolutely.”
“And we should tell Hugh.”
Shannon glared at her. “You’re already breaking the rules.”
*
“He’s going to flip out.” Shannon paced the hallway outside Hugh’s office.
“We won’t know until we go in.” Maya stepped in front of her and grabbed her shoulders. “You didn’t come all the way to New York just to go sightseeing, did you?”
“No.” Shannon met her eyes. “No. Let’s get this over with so I can enjoy the rest of my trip with you.”
Maya opened the door and held it for her. Inside, she gave her name to Hugh’s administrative assistant, and soon they were escorted back to his office and left to wait. Maya took a seat in one of the chairs opposite Hugh’s large glass-topped desk.
“Come sit.” She caught Shannon’s wrist as she ventured close and pulled her into the neighboring chair. She didn’t release her hand, instead resting their joined hands on her own thigh.
The door opened and Hugh strode in, looking down at a stack of papers he carried. “I’m sorry, Maya, I’m swamped today. But I’ve always got time for—” He stopped when he saw Shannon.
“Hello, Hugh,” Shannon said.
“Shannon, nice to see you.” As he looked at Maya, his gaze visibly snagged on their clasped hands, and he began shaking his head. “No. Maya, no.”
She managed a contrite expression. “I’m sorry if this complicates things for you—”
“Now? It’s only been three weeks since the show wrapped. And you’re really going to do this?” Before they could answer, Hugh went on. “I guess I should be glad you gave me a heads up first.”
Maya chuckled. “It’s not going to be a big announcement or anything.” She squeezed Shannon’s hand and smiled at her. “But we’re not going to hide it either. We’ll be seen together and it will come out.”
He nodded slowly. “Okay, we play the whole thing like it happened after the show ended—while you were doing the press tour together.” He gave them both a stern look. “It did start after the show ended, right?”
“Whatever you say, Hugh.”
“Maya.”
“Nothing we did impacted the judging of the show,” Maya said. “She didn’t even win.”
“I’ll have to discuss this with the other producers, but presumably our official stance is that nothing happened until the show was over.”
“Understood.” Maya stood up. “You can take whatever official stance you wish. My contract has been fulfilled and my affiliation with the show is
officially
over.”
She strode to the door without looking back. Shannon followed. They rode the elevator to the ground floor in silence, and as they stepped onto the sidewalk, Maya asked, “So, what’s next?” wondering if Shannon knew she was asking about more than just their itinerary.
“The Statue of Liberty,” Shannon suggested. She took Maya’s hand and squeezed it, providing all the answers Maya needed.