The Sweet Spot

21

The announcement of the winners was only moments away, but it didn't matter. For the first time, I felt like I had already won, regardless of the outcome. I stood there, next to Oliver, our hands still loosely intertwined, as we waited in the nervous buzz of the crowd. People were chatting excitedly, vendors were wiping sweat from their foreheads, and the judges were gathered on stage, preparing to deliver their verdicts. But my mind was miles away from the competition.

I kept glancing at Oliver, wondering how this grumpy, world-renowned chef had come to mean so much to me. It wasn't just about his skills in the kitchen or his reputation-though that had been intimidating at first-it was the way he had quietly worked his way into my life, into Elliot's life, and into my heart.

Oliver caught my eye and gave me a small, reassuring smile, squeezing my hand gently. That single gesture calmed me in a way I hadn't realized I needed. No matter what happened today, I knew we were in this together, and that was enough.

As the crowd's murmurs died down, the head judge stepped up to the microphone, his voice cutting through the air.

"Thank you, everyone, for participating in this year's Willow Creek Food Fair!" he began, his deep voice filled with enthusiasm. "We've seen some truly amazing creations today, and I can honestly say that this has been one of the toughest years to judge. Every single entry was unique, creative, and delicious. But, as with any competition, there can only be one winner."

My heart sped up, and I glanced over at Oliver. His jaw was clenched, but there was a calm confidence in his expression that gave me strength. I could feel the eyes of the other vendors on us, including Jenna's icy glare from her booth across the way, but I pushed that out of my mind.

The judge continued, his voice booming through the speakers. "Before we announce the winners, I'd like to take a moment to recognize the incredible effort and passion that every participant put into this event. It's clear that Willow Creek is home to some of the most talented bakers and chefs in the region."

I shifted my weight, my hands tightening around Oliver's as the anticipation grew. The judges shuffled their papers, making the moment stretch even longer.

"And now," the judge said, drawing out the suspense even more, "the winner of the 2024 Willow Creek Food Fair is..."

I held my breath, feeling a knot of tension in my chest. The judge glanced down at his paper, then smiled widely as he looked back at the crowd.

"Sweet Dreams Bakery, by Charlotte Walker and Oliver Steele!"

For a moment, I didn't move. I didn't even breathe. The words took a second to register, and when they did, the crowd erupted into applause. I blinked, stunned, as cheers and whistles filled the air around us.

"We won," I whispered, turning to Oliver with wide eyes. "We actually won."

Oliver's grin was huge, the kind of smile that lit up his whole face and made my heart skip a beat. He pulled me into a tight hug, his arms wrapping around me with a warmth that sent a shiver through me.

"You did it," he murmured into my ear. "We did it."

I could barely contain the flood of emotions rushing through me-relief, excitement, joy. All the hard work, all the sleepless nights, all the doubts and fears had led to this moment. And it wasn't just about the win-it was about everything Oliver and I had built together, in the kitchen and beyond.

Before I could say anything more, Elliot came running over, his little face glowing with excitement. "Mommy! Mr. Steele! You won! You won!"

He threw his arms around my waist, and I laughed, ruffling his hair as he bounced up and down with joy. Oliver knelt down to his level, ruffling Elliot's hair as well. "Thanks to you, buddy. You were the best helper."

Elliot beamed, clearly proud of his contribution, and I couldn't help but smile. This moment was perfect, and I wished I could freeze it in time.

As the applause continued, the judge motioned for Oliver and me to come up to the stage to accept the prize. I took a deep breath, still trying to process everything, and we made our way to the front of the crowd. Oliver kept his hand on the small of my back, a gentle reassurance that steadied me as we approached the stage.

The head judge handed us the prize-a large, gleaming trophy along with an envelope containing the cash prize-and gave us both a firm handshake.

"Congratulations," he said with a smile. "Your creation was truly something special. The balance of flavors, the originality-it was clear that you both poured your hearts into this."

"Thank you," I replied, my voice a little shaky from the overwhelming emotions coursing through me. "We're so grateful."

Oliver nodded beside me, still holding the trophy as if he wasn't sure what to do with it. But then, as the applause died down, he turned to face the crowd, his expression serious yet determined.

"Before we go," Oliver said, his voice cutting through the chatter, "there's something I need to say."

My heart skipped a beat as I looked at him, not sure what he was about to do. The crowd quieted, and I could feel the eyes of everyone on us, waiting.

Oliver glanced at me, his gaze softening in a way that made my chest tighten, then he turned back to the crowd. "I came to Willow Creek to get away from everything I thought I knew. After a pretty public failure in New York, I wanted to leave the culinary world behind and hide from the mistakes I'd made."

The crowd listened intently, and I could feel the weight of Oliver's words as he shared a part of himself he rarely let anyone see.

"But what I found here," Oliver continued, "was more than just a quiet place to escape. I found something-someone-worth staying for. Charlotte Walker, you reminded me why I fell in love with cooking in the first place. And more than that, you reminded me how to believe in myself again."

I blinked, tears stinging my eyes as I stared at him, unable to believe what I was hearing.

Oliver turned to me then, his expression open and vulnerable in a way I had never seen before. "I've made mistakes in the past-big ones-and I don't expect you to forget that. But I'm not running anymore. I'm not hiding. I want to stay here, Charlotte. I want to stay with you and Elliot. If you'll have me."

The world seemed to freeze around me as his words sank in. I had never expected this-not here, not now. But as I looked at him, standing there with his heart wide open for everyone to see, I realized that this was exactly what I wanted. What I had always wanted.

Tears filled my eyes, but I smiled, my heart so full it hurt. "I've been in love with you all along, Oliver Steele," I whispered, my voice thick with emotion. "I don't want you to go anywhere."

Before I could say anything more, Oliver pulled me into his arms and kissed me. The crowd erupted into cheers, but in that moment, it felt like it was just the two of us, wrapped in a bubble of warmth and happiness. His lips were soft against mine, and I melted into him, my hands gripping his arms as if I were afraid to let go.

When we finally pulled apart, breathless and smiling, I heard Elliot's voice from somewhere behind us.

"Yay! Mr. Steele is my new best friend!"

I laughed, turning to see Elliot grinning up at us, his eyes wide with excitement. Oliver ruffled his hair, grinning down at him. "I'm honored, buddy."

The three of us stood there together, the world buzzing around us, but all I could feel was the warmth of the two people I loved most.

We had won the competition, but more importantly, we had won something much greater-a future together.

As the crowd continued to cheer, I knew that this was just the beginning. Whatever challenges came next, whatever hurdles we faced, we would face them together.

And that was all I needed.