“You deserved better than an apology over the phone.” He clears his throat and pins me with his gaze. “This is my dad’s restaurant. I worked with him here when he fired me, right before I cut him out of my life.”
“Oh.” I’m shocked. I wasn’t expecting him to say that.
“We reconciled. We’re working on our relationship. He asked me to start working here again as his sous chef, and I said yes. I’m working here a few nights a week.”
I smile, heartened at the news. “Gage, that’s wonderful.”
“It’s all because of you, Becca. You were right. I was wrong to cut him out of my life, I realize that now. He’s changed a lot. He’s so much more understanding and open now. He’s supportive of me and my career. All he cares about is that I’m happy and doing what I love.”
He pauses, and the look in his eyes turns pointed and raw.
“Becca, I’m so sorry. I had no right to lash out at you when you defended my dad after he came to see you. I was being a stubborn jackass. It took losing you and my brother talking some sense in me to realize how wrong I was about everything.” Gage blinks, and the look in his eyes turns pained.
“I’m sorry too, Gage. I shouldn’t have pushed you to reconcile with your dad. I should have just listened to you and supported you. I should have just trusted that you’d reach out to him when you were ready. And you did.”
He shakes his head. “I was being so defensive. I’m so sorry for the hurtful things I said. I didn’t mean them. That crap I said about you using me for TikTok and using my dad so your business could get ahead…” He grimaces like he’s swallowing back bile, like the memory of his words makes him sick. “I’ll understand if you never forgive me for that. I just need you to know that I regret ever saying it. I didn’t even mean it. If I could take it back, I would.”
I can feel the tension melting from my body as I observe Gage pour his heart out to me.
“I know, right now, this dinner seems like a ridiculous stunt. But I swear it’s not. I did this because you deserve more than an apology from me. You deserve one hell of a grovel in a five-star restaurant. You deserve the moon and stars, you deserve the sun, the universe, everything. You arethatincredible, Becca. I’m lucky you ever gave me the time of day. I’m lucky you ever cared about me.”
When his voice starts to tremble, he stops and swallows. “I love you, Becca. I know that’s probably nuts for you to hear since we’ve only known each other for a few months. But it’s true. I’ve never felt this way about anyone before.”
I’m breathless as I listen to him. My heart is pounding so hard, I can feel it in my ears.
“I don’t expect you to say it back. I don’t even expect you to accept my apology—”
“I love you too, Gage.”
His eyes go wide. He blinks and shakes his head, like he can’t quite believe what I’ve said.
He lets out a breath through a shaky smile. “You love me?”
I nod. “So, so much.” I stand up and move to stand between his legs and cup his face in my hands. I lean down and kiss him.
His hands grip my waist. “God, I missed you.”
“I missed you too.” Closing my eyes, I lean my forehead against his. “That was a five-star grovel, Gage Grant.”
He chuckles before kissing me breathless. “Was it?”
“I’ve never had anyone print up a fake dessert menu with my ice cream on it as a way to say sorry.”
He leans back to look at me. “It’s not fake, Becca. My dad wants to serve your ice cream on the dessert menu at all of his restaurants.”
My jaw drops. “Are you serious?”
“Dead serious. He ordered your ice cream and thinks Sweet Cheeks is the most delicious ice cream he’s ever tasted.”
I fall into Gage’s lap, stunned at the news. “I can’t believe it.” I stammer for a solid three seconds before hugging him. “My ice cream is going to be in restaurants! I’ve been dreaming about this!”
“It’s happening. You made it happen.”
“Youdid. None of this would be happening if you hadn’t answered my drunk DM on a whim.”
“Best decision of my life.” Gage grins and laces his fingers in mine. “You deserve all the credit, Becca. Your amazing ice cream speaks for itself.”
I shake my head. “It’s a mix of everything, of both of us. Delicious ice cream desserts, flirty TikTok videos, and hard work. Over and over and over.”
