Cupcakes and Christmas - R.J. Scott Page 0,13

alone. Stupidly happy, like a kid filled with the expectation of Christmas. So happy it drowned out the terror of being on the show.

I cleared my throat as he patted the hood. “I don’t actually own the car, but the dealership endorses me, so they arranged for me to pick it up in Calgary to drive here in exchange for some posts along the way.”

Brody turned to me and then leaned against the car, striking a pose. “Take a selfie then and make sure you get the decal in. We can kill two birds with one stone. You get a post with the car, and I get to gloat to my petrol-head brother, who will be green to see me next to one of these beauties.”

I could do that. It would actually be a good thing. Another contestant, the car, the snow, the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel behind, only I would have to be in the photo as well.

“How about a short video?”

He looked uncertain for a moment then pulled his shoulders back and nodded.

I stood next to him, and he leaned into me, in proper selfie-mode. I counted us in then pressed record.

“Hi, Mallys! Day one and guess who I found next to my car? Only Brody from season four. Say hi, Brody.”

Brody not only said hi, but he added an extra wave, and immediately the hearts began to climb the screen. I turned it back to me, making sure to get the decal of the car and the hotel sign in the shot.

“Signing off for now, back to find my room. Later, Mallys!”

I ended the short video and pocketed my cell.

Brody was grinning ear to ear, the earlier mention of his former husband forgotten. He rambled on about his older brother, Joe, and how jealous Joe would be, and that took us all the way into the foyer of the Fairmont. We stopped by the elevators.

“So, I guess I’ll see you at three for the Christmas sweater thing? We have to be in makeup then I think.” He pulled a sheet of paper from his coat pocket and fumbled with it in his gloves. “Yeah, makeup at three, initial filming at five.”

“Cool, what are you going as?”

“A snowman. You?”

“Reindeer.”

He looked up at my hair and then back down to meet my gaze. “Antlers?”

“Obviously.” I smiled back, and then we were done with things to talk about. I had it in my head to ask him if he wanted a coffee, but it was too late because he started talking.

He pointed at the stairs. “I’m taking the stairs up to 217. You?”

“502,” I said, and we split up then, him taking the stairs and me using the elevator up to the suites on the top floor with views over Banff and up to the mountains.

Even as I stood in the beautiful room with its views and its large two man tub, I just knew one thing.

I wished I was in room 218.

The room right next to Brody.

I couldn’t get Brody out of my head even as I showered, but it wasn’t in a sexual way, it was pure jealousy that I had to fight. I’d watched every episode of Brody’s season at least four times, some scenes even more. I’d marveled at his dexterity with all things baked and watched the way he would push back his bangs and smile with his eyes. I also recalled big Marc though, the husband, pulling Brody into a hug and whirling him around when it was announced he was the winner. Then the family descending.

Brody wasn’t like me. He had a life, a family, a reason to get out of bed every day, and what was I?

I was the man who would have ripped apart any attraction and used every part of it to make more money. So why would he believe me when I was telling the truth?

I towel-dried my hair mindlessly as I stared at myself in the half fogged mirror, my reflection appearing as it slowly cleared. A therapist would have a field day in my head. Hell, some of them had, but I’d come this far, and there was no way to turn back. No way to get off the train that had me so close to financial security.

My financial security would lead to emotional stability and that meant I could be a part of real life.

Then no one could hurt me.

Chapter Five

My baking is fabulous, even the smoke alarm is cheering me on

Brody

Safely in my room I