"I bet." Gabriel's grin held sympathy.
"Leave him alone," Joy intervened, though she was clearly fighting laughter.
After they’d finished their dinner, Maria stood. "Who wants dessert?"
A chorus of “I do’s” followed. The cake appeared like a chocolate miracle. Maria cut generous slices while Joy distributed plates, their movements synchronized from years of family dinners.
"From scratch?" Rosa asked, forking up a bite.
"My grandmother's recipe," Andre managed. "But I add espresso to the chocolate. Deepens the flavor."
Valeria took a bite and moaned theatrically. "Okay, you can stay. Anyone who bakes like this is family."
"He stress bakes," Joy said, pride warming her voice. "Wait until you try his cinnamon rolls."
"Stress baking!" Rosa clapped. "Finally, someone else who understands. Though I do cookies. Dozens and dozens when Heath’s on a dangerous call."
The conversation shifted to safer ground—baking disasters, family recipes, the time Gabriel tried to make bread and created a brick instead. Andre found himself relaxing by degrees. This felt like family dinners should feel. Warm. Inclusive. Safe.
The goodbyes took forever, each person finding their own moment. Buck pulled him into a hug instead of a handshake. The embrace was brief but solid, acceptance in the gesture. Maria pressed containers into his hands with strict instructions about reheating. Heath clapped his shoulder with a knowing look. Valeria made him promise to bring baked goods to the station. Rosa kissed both his cheeks, welcoming him properly to the family.
Andre's chest felt too full. He nodded, not trusting his voice.
In the truck, Joy launched across the console before he'd even closed his door. Her kiss was desperate, claiming. Her hands tangled in his hair, tugging just hard enough to make his bear rumble with satisfaction.
"They love you."
“I was terrified.”
"I know.” Joy settled against his side as he started the truck. "Val's going to be insufferable at work."
"Your uncle seemed… accepting."
"I told you he would be." Her hand found his thigh again.
The stars spread out overhead as they drove back to her tiny house, carrying the warmth of family acceptance between them.
Chapter
Fourteen
Joy arrangedthe last row of honey jars on her display table, the morning sun glowing in the amber liquid. The farmers market hummed with Saturday energy. Vendors called greetings across the aisles while early customers wandered between booths, canvas bags ready for the day's treasures.
Andre moved between the neighboring stalls with easy grace. He helped Ellen Cooper adjust her pottery display when the table wobbled on uneven ground. His laugh carried across the town square as he caught a box of strawberries before it could tumble from a truck. Joy's mountain lion purred at the sight. This was what she'd hoped for. Partnership.
"Morning, Joy." Holly appeared at the edge of Joy's booth, arms full of a box of delicate glass ornaments. Her friend's eyes sparkled with barely contained delight as she glanced between Joy and Andre.
Joy smiled back, no words needed between them. Holly had waited years for this moment, watching Joy refresh that mate.com page night after night. Now here they were, settingup their booths side by side while Joy's mate helped their community.
The market filled steadily. Families with strollers navigated the narrow aisles. Dogs on leashes sniffed hopefully at the jerky vendor's samples. The coffee booth's espresso machine hissed its familiar morning song.
"Artisan honey?" A man's voice cut through the comfortable chaos. "This is exactly what I've been looking for."
Joy looked up from making change for a customer. The speaker stood at her table's edge, examining her products. He was handsome and in his early thirties, wearing high-end business-casual clothing.
"I cold-extract to preserve the enzymes," Joy explained, slipping into her familiar sales rhythm. "Each batch comes from different flowering seasons. The wildflower is from late spring, the clover from midsummer."
He leaned against her table, his weight making the cloth shift slightly. "Fascinating process. Must be challenging, running such a small operation these days."
