I love him. “You already make me smile.” I grin, closing the distance between our lips.
“Then I guess I’m doingmyjob.” He kisses me until the worry about my grand opening fades away. Today is just another day, another chance to live my dreams. Another day to love him.
I finally pull away, my lips swollen and my vision hazy. “Time to get to work.”
“Yes ma’am.” He salutes me.
I run through the menu again with Cassie and check on Grady in the kitchen. But they don’t need me hovering around them, they’ve got this.
I’ve got this.
“Hey, darling,” my dad says, walking in the front door. “Where do you want me?”
“Uh, sitting at the table pretending to enjoy everything?”
“Honey, I’ll never have to pretend.” He kisses my head before carrying an actual newspaper to the table in the corner. A newspaper. Is he finally taking my advice and slowing down?
“I want his job,” Sean says, sliding up next to me and holding out a coffee.
“You’d eat me out of business,” I tease, taking a sip of the warm liquid and letting it melt my nerves.
He places both hands on my hips and turns me into him. “What about the part where he gets to call you darling and honey?”
I shrug, hiding my smile behind my cup. “No one’s stopping you.”
He wiggles his eyebrows. “What if I call you…” He leans down and presses a kiss to the sensitive part of my neck. “My Sunny.”
I grin. “I like it. Let’s keep it.”
He laughs then I tell him where he will be handing out free samples and mingling, basically selling the bakery to anyone who walks in those doors. He’s a smooth talker, that’s why I gave him this job.
Two of my aunts come next, promising the cousins will come in and out throughout the day and talk me up to anyone who will listen. My grandma is still resting at home but doing much better. I invited absolutely everyone I could think of. But what if it’s not enough?
The crowd is slow at first, but the second ten o'clock hits, families of all sorts make their way through the door. Even a woman I recognize from a hilarious TikTok video a year ago and her little boy.
I’m about to approach her when I see Sean’s family walking in. Well, everyone except for Trent and Karli, who are currently on their honeymoon. Each of them is wearing a shirt that says, “Here for the sweets.”
I know without a doubt Sean did this. And I love him for it. I look over at him where he’s handing out samples to the families milling about, paying special attention to a little boy with red hair. This bakery was my dream, but I didn’t even realize part of my dream was missing until I found him.
“Look at this turnout.” Mrs. Bentley hugs me. “This is incredible.”
“Thank you.”
“You’ve convinced me, I think I’ll have one of everything.” Mr. Bentley says and goes to the counter, rubbing his stomach.
Mrs. Bentley is on his heels. “Oh no you don’t. You’re supposed to be watching your sugar intake.”
“Says who?”
“The doctors.”
Why does it feel like that will be me and Sean in twenty-five years?
I glance around the bakery, the laughter and happiness, the feeling of family. This is exactly what I wanted my bakery to be.
The back of my eyes sting and I slip into my office. I close the door behind me, allowing myself to breathe for a moment. This day could not be more perfect. Mom would have loved it.
A tear slips down my cheek and I go to my desk, absently rubbing my fingers along the smooth top. I open the top drawer and freeze, hand hovering over the tiny bag of tissues. There next to Sean’s heart carving is the world’s tiniest rolling pin.
