Page 19 of The Baking Games

“Yes. I’ll be out shortly,” I call back. “I have… a stomach issue.”

No response. Nobody wants to ask follow-up questions when you say that.

Rhett turns around, a slight smile on his face. “Nice save. Although, now everyone thinks you have diarrhea.”

I can feel my face flushing. “Did you mention me during your interviews?”

He laughs. “Absolutely not. Why would I?”

“I was just wondering.” Why did I ask that question?

“Wait. You mentioned me?”

“No, of course not.”

“That’s how this happened. That’s why I originally got the email application. I just figured the school gave them my info, but it was you. What did you tell them about me?” he asks playfully. He’s so amused with himself.

I glare at him for a moment. “I told them I loved pastry chef school except for a jerky guy in my classes.” I might have gone into more detail, but that truly was the gist of it.

“I feel like there’s more to that story, but I’m very interested in the ex-boyfriend part. Who is it?”

I sigh and lean against the wall, really wishing I hadn’t wandered into this bathroom. “Connor.”

“My roommate? Yuck. I don’t like that guy at all.”

My heart suddenly swells a bit. “You don’t?”

He shrugs his shoulders. “He seems like a tool.”

“He is a tool.”

“So he dumped you?”

My mouth drops open. “Excuse me, but he did not dump me!”

“Sure…”

Now I remember why I can’t stand this guy. So smug and sure of himself. Probably because he’s fifty feet tall with shoulders like a line of tanks. I wonder what they would feel like under my hands. Gosh, I really need to date more.

“I’m not doing this with you. I refuse to let you or Connor ruin my chances here. I’m going to win this competition, and both of you are going home,” I say, standing in front of him with my index finger pressing to his chest. Dear Lord in heaven. It’s like touching a piece of stone. It’s warm, and I feel his heartbeat, but I have to remind myself that although he’s incredibly drop-dead gorgeous, he’s just a robot. He’s not a real human with emotions. He’s Rhett Jennings, the guy who will do anything to win this competition.

He looks down at my finger and then slowly looks me in the eye. Smoldering is what I’d call his blue eyes. They’re flanked by black eyelashes that are way better than mine. His thick black eyebrows arch upward as we stand there. Why haven’t I moved my finger? It seems to be magnetically stuck there. I can hear my breathing. I can see his lips curving upward.

“You done here?” he finally says, looking at my finger. My face flushes as I quickly pull it back.

“Yes, I’m done. I just wanted to get my point across, and I think I have,” I say, backing toward the door, trying to maintain even the slightest bit of dignity. I hate this guy. I hate this guy. I must remind myself that I hate this guy.

“Turn the light off when you leave,” he says, sitting back down.

“You’re staying in here?” I ask, incredulous.

“I got interrupted. I just need a few minutes of quiet time before I go out there and start eliminating all of you one by one.”

I no longer have to remind myself that I hate this guy. I leave the light on, open the door, and yell, “A contestant is hiding in the bathroom!”

CHAPTER 6

SAVANNAH