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He gulps, peering up at me. Then he smiles. “Tomas… please… Can we go to the competition?”
My lips twitch, the closest to a smile I’ve been in a long long while. He wants me to come with him? “Yes, if you’re my good boy, we’ll go to the competition.” His cheek nuzzles against my chest, and I stroke the silky texture of his hair. “If I have to punish you even once this week, you won’t be able to go.”
His mischievous grin fills me with a happiness I haven’t felt before. “Well, then I guess I’ll have to be good for you,Daddy.”
He hops off my lap, then pulls me up, leading the way to the kitchen.
“What are we doing?” I ask him as he rifles through the pantry, pulling out ingredients and lining them up on the counter.
“I have less than a week to get this right, Tomas. I’m going to bake, and you can taste-test them for me.”
How can I say no? I’d give my litter baker the world, anything he asks for.
“Alright,” I say, pulling out the measuring cups. “Let’s get started.”
Eleven
Noel
Tomas, Ani, and I drove back to the city for the Christmas Cookie Crumble-thon. I spent the whole drive with a queasy stomach, worrying over whether or not my recipe was good enough. My anxiety was so bad that I barely talked the whole ride there, but Tomas told me not to worry. He said I’ll always be his little baker whether or not I win.
He may be an ex-assassin for the Russian mob, but he’s the sweetest man I’ve ever met. He may be a caveman, but he protects us and gave up his career so he could be part of our family. The past week at his cabin has proven to me just how much he cares about Ani and I, and I can’t imagine not having him in our lives.
“Bakers, take your positions. Competition begins in two minutes,” the announcer says over the loudspeaker.
Standing at my designated station, I look out into the stands and see the two people who mean the most to me cheering me on. Ani holds up the glitter sign she and Tomas made last night that says “MY DAD IS THE BEST BAKER!” She adores him and includes him in everything—cartoons, tea parties, dress-up, and even Daddy-Daughter movie night, which used to be a thing only she and I would do. Watching them bond has been magical.
I wave to them, and Ani waves her sign and stomps her feet, her smile reaching her ears. Tomas mouthsgood luck, malysh, and my heart feels as if it will burst. He’s so supportive. It feels good to finally have a partner in my life who believes in me.
The buzzer sounds, and I get to work mixing my dough. I bake my heart out, using the entire two-hour time period. I plate my cookies just as the final buzzer goes off. When the three judges taste my cookies, I feel like the floor is going to open up and swallow me whole. My stomach rumbles, my palms sweat, and I can barely stand on my own two feet. What if they hate them? What if I dragged Tomas and Ani all the way here and I don’t even place in the top three?
The scores come up on the dashboard, and I have to grab the counter to stay upright. 10-10-9.8. They’re the highest scores so far.
After they’re done tasting everyone’s cookies, the bakers go back to sit in the stands with their families. I sit between Ani and Tomas, and he brings me in for a hug, kissing my forehead gently. I love how he knows exactly what I need.
The judges take the stage. The first judge is Mari Wentz, a famous chef from the Fresh Network. She announces third place. “Third place goes to the Cowboy Confection Crew from Dallas, Texas!”
The crowd cheers as all four of them go to the stage to get their ribbon and prize. I came here alone, and I doubt I’m going to be able to outdo them. Their Everything-Under-The-Sink cookies looked amazing.
The second judge, a social media baker I’m not too familiar with, announces second place. “Second place goes to Chocolate Chariot from Jacksonville, Florida!”
The husband and wife team run to the stage, crying as they take their second-place ribbon and prize. They’ve entered the competition for years. I remember watching them on television when I was in high school before I ever opened my own bakery. They deserved to place this year.
The third judge is Carlie McCloskey. She’s the owner of Sweets to Eat, a national chain of bakeries that started in Queens. She is the queen of the baking world. The woman has done multiple specials for television and even bakes for celebrity clients! Her silver hair is tied back in a severe bun, and her face is stone cold.
I feel like I’m going to throw up. There’s no way she’ll announce me as the winner.
“Before I announce first place, I wanted to thank all the competitors for coming out today,” she starts. “Some of you have traveled very far to bake with us and we appreciate it, especially with Christmas being two days away.”
She goes on to say how baking is important, and how it brings people together. But the longer she talks, the more I vibrate with anxious energy.
Enough. Please just say who the winner is!
“Without further ado, the first place prize of $50,000 and an hour-long special on the Fresh Network goes to Noel Lombardi of the Bronx’s Sugar & Spice.”
My brain explodes and the whole world freezes.My white chocolate, macadamia nut, and cranberry cookies won first place.I beat out professional bakers from all over the country.
Ani screams with excitement and Tomas gathers us all in a group hug. He kisses my cheek.
