Chapter 22

Cedric's competition was drawing nearer with each passing day. Elizabeth was inexplicably even more anxious than he was. Seated in her studio, she sketched swiftly, her pencil gliding across the paper. She had made up her mind to design a one-of-a-kind performance tuxedo for him. Elizabeth had already completed the design for the tux, but she wanted to add a clever little twist to make the outfit truly distinctive. She muttered to herself, "What if I embroidered a short message here in silver thread?" Elizabeth gently ran her fingertips along the collar of her sketch, unaware that someone had quietly approached her from behind. Leaning in, Cedric's breath brushed against her earlobe as he asked, "What are you working on?" Elizabeth jumped in surprise and hurriedly covered her drawing. "It's a secret! You're not allowed to look!" Cedric chuckled at how adorably flustered she was. Gently kissing her forehead, he said, "Alright. I won't look. I've brought you some supper. You're sti