When we came, it was together, clinging to each other like we couldn't get close enough.
Afterwards, we collapsed together, both of us spent and satisfied. Sawyer traced the curve of my spine, occasionally pressing kisses to my shoulder.
"What happens tomorrow?" I asked into the darkness.
"We find out if you won. Then we figure out what comes next."
"What if I didn't win? What if the shop fails?"
He was quiet for a moment. "Then you'll figure something else out. And I'll be right there with you while you do."
I pressed closer to him, drawing comfort from his warmth. "I meant what I said earlier. Finding you changed everything."
"Get some sleep," he murmured against my hair. "The morning will come soon enough."
But sleep wouldn't come. Sunday evening at the closing ceremony, the judges would announce the winner. If I lost, I'd have maybe a month before Sugar & Spice would have to close. A month before I'd have to leave Woodbridge Falls and start over somewhere else. Again.
Chapter Ten
Sawyer
Sunday morning came with clear skies and that crisp October air that made the mountains look sharp enough to cut glass. I woke with Cinn curled against my chest, her hair tangled across my pillow. For a moment I just watched her sleep, still amazed she was here, in my bed, in my life.
"Stop staring," she mumbled against my chest, not opening her eyes.
"Can't help it." I pressed a kiss to her forehead. "We should get moving though. Lucy's expecting us."
We showered together—efficiently, mostly, though I couldn't resist pressing her against the tile and kissing her until we were both breathless. She laughed, pushing me away. "Later, I promise. We have a festival to get to."
The fast-food drive-through was nearly empty this early on a Sunday. Cinn ordered hash browns and an egg sandwich while I stuck with black coffee and a breakfast burrito. She ate quickly, not saying much.
"Nervous?" I asked as we pulled into the alley behind Sugar & Spice.
"Terrified." She wiped her fingers on a napkin.
Lucy was already there, her Honda packed with supplies. "Morning!" she called, then her expression sobered. "How are you holding up after... everything?"
"Better," Cinn said. "Thanks for coming in early again."
While Lucy and I loaded vehicles with the remaining regular candy and booth supplies from yesterday, Cinn ran upstairs tochange. She came down wearing dark jeans and a cream-colored sweater, a vintage red wool scarf wrapped around her neck. Her maple leaf brooch was pinned to the scarf, glinting in the morning light.
"Beautiful," I told her quietly as she passed.
The smile she gave me could have powered the whole festival.
The second day's setup went smoother. We knew the rhythm now. Lucy arranged yesterday's decorations while we set out the regular candy selection. Without competition truffles to showcase, we focused on what we had left.
By ten, the festival was in full swing. If anything, Sunday brought bigger crowds than Saturday. Our booth stayed busy from the moment we opened.
"Is this the booth that's supposed to win?" a woman from Montpelier asked, examining our display.
"We find out today," Cinn said, managing a smile despite her nerves.
The woman selected several bags of different candies. "I want to say I was here when it all started."
Word had spread about the competition. Customer after customer asked about it. Lucy could barely keep up with the sales.
"We're almost sold out of the Bonfire Toffee and Ghost Pepper bark," Lucy reported around noon, beaming. "Everyone's asking about those competition truffles."
