46. Michael

MICHAEL

A s the plane starts to pull away from the terminal, Alice tenses beside me.

She’s holding my hand in both of hers on her lap, squeezing my fingers like I might disappear.

I need to distract her.

“So.” I stretch my legs out. “When did you first become obsessed with me?”

Her quiet gasp is adorable.

I flex my fingers on her thigh. “I saw that box, remember?”

Slowly, I turn my head toward her.

Her cheeks are turning the cutest shade of pink.

“I should’ve made you pack it,” I say, thinking out loud.

The second I laid eyes on Alice, I knew I had to have her. So discovering her little box, the one filled with news clippings and photographs of me, was a huge relief.

I’d been worried my instant need would scare her away, but if she was already obsessing over me, then it’s just proof we’re meant to be.

“I’m not obsessed with you.” She huffs. “I’m in love with you. There’s a difference.”

I snort. “Not between us, Sugar Cookie. Our love is obsession, and that’s okay.”

She finally looks up at me. “I think I kinda like that.”

I feel the plane shift direction, but Alice doesn’t seem to notice. “So what was it? What did I do to catch your attention?” The way she squirms makes me smirk. “If just thinking about it makes you react like that, then you have to tell me.”

Alice blows out a breath. “It was season one, episode three.”

I’m sure my grin looks as wide as a nutcracker’s, but I can’t help it.

Alice sees my expression and rolls her eyes.

“And what in particular caught your attention that episode?” I remember all the contestants I’ve met, but I can’t always keep track of what happened when.

Alice heaves out a breath. “You were eating a frosted donut and got some of the buttercream on the side of your mouth.”

And just like that, I know exactly what she’s talking about.

The innocent moment when I used my thumb to swipe the frosting off the side of my mouth and then licked it off has been spread around the internet in GIF and meme form. It was a good lesson, and I’ve learned to use napkins.

“I already thought you were handsome.” Alice carries on. “But that moment… did something to me.”

The tone of her voice is doing something to me too. And for the first time ever, I’m glad I did what I did.

She traces her fingertip across the back of my hand. “I tried not to be a freak about it, but the more I watched the show, the more I couldn’t stop thinking about you. And then?—”

The plane picks up speed.

“And then what?” I prompt.

Alice grips my hand but keeps her focus on me. “Then I read an article about a visit you made to a high school.” Her eyes are shining now. “All those scholarships you gave out… That was really great of you.”

“It was nothing.”

She shakes her head. “No, Chef Michael, it was everything.”

Then, with her focus on me, the nose of the plane tilts up, and we take off.