“Yep,” I replied as the gravel ended. “Come on. We have to do the rest by foot.” We weren’t exactly where Alex assumed. We were actually closer to her plot of family land. She’d been so busy she rarely had the time to venture out this way and spoil her surprise.
“Nate, what’s going on?” She trailed behind me, the sound of her skirt swooshing between her legs. We were just to the crest of the hill, where she’d figure it all out—I hoped.
“Didn’t you choose a spot closer to the B&B—Oh!”
The construction crew laid the foundation for the house earlier in the week, and framing started going up. I didn’t throw my money around much, but I enlisted a crew that would work night and day for a pretty penny. It was worth it.
I adjusted the plans I originally chose and added a couple more bedrooms. I hoped one day that my family would grow.
“Nate, is that…?” she asked, turning around to face me.
“That’s our house. Me, Molly, Eloise, and… I hope… you.”
“What?” she whispered.
“We want you to move in with us more than anything, Alex. I love you.Welove you. Please say you will.”
“I…. Can I design the kitchen?”
“Of course. Anything you—”
She stopped my words as she sealed her lips to mine.
“Is that a yes?”
“Duh.”
“Would you have changed your mind if I said no to the kitchen?”
“You’ll never know.”
Epilogue – Nate
“I need more of those Sasha Delights!” Alex called out from the front counter as I stacked containers. I was in the kitchen, restocking the inventory for the display and the front fridge.
Alex named her champagne-flavored cake with strawberry compote the Sasha Delight as an ode to Molly and Eloise’s mother. I knew one day the twins would grow to appreciate the gesture. At six, they were still too young to understand the significance. Even I had a hard time grasping it after the tumultuous relationship I had with my ex. But Alex insisted on having something nice for my daughters to remember their mother.
Almost a year later and Show-Stopping Sweets was doing more business than Alex had ever imagined. She had three full-time bakers and spent most of her time experimenting with new flavors and mixes.
The twins were in the kitchen with me, wearing their matching aprons. At the new house, they had a set as well and baked with Alex every chance they got. And danced. And watched the old 1990s shows. We all did. Those were some of my favorite nights together.
The three of us shared a secret smile. The Sullivans were up to no good.
Out front, I carried the container and pressed my lips to Alex’s cheek before heading back toward the kitchen. Andrew corralled the girls into the office, where the rest of the Easterlys were hiding.
Suddenly, over the shop’s speakers, a song started playing. It was the same song Alex and I had been tricked into dancing to a year ago. I scoured her playlist until I found it.
“What the—?” Alex asked as she looked around the ceiling. The customers in line looked confused until I walked out wearing one of my suits I knew she secretly loved. I didn’t get to wear them often, since I was only a silent partner in my business now, but I broke them out every once in a while. Alex commented she liked the way the ends of my regrown hair brushed against the collar.
“May I have this dance?” I asked, holding out my hand to her in the middle of the dining area. If I were still a teen, I’d probably have a face the color of beets. But I was comfortable enough in my love for Alex to ignore everyone in the room.
She hesitantly removed her apron and rested it on the counter before ducking around the corner to join me. One of the other employees took her spot at the register. Not that it mattered, since everyone was frozen with dreamy cartoon-heart eyes.
Her hand rested gently in mine as I wrapped my other around her waist. It was just pure luck she was wearing that seersucker top and skirt she’d worn our many times to Roland’s. It was a tradition now. She didn’t know we were headed there after this.
“Now, the last time we danced like this, you led, but I think this time I’ll take the lead. If that’s okay?”
“By all means.”
