“When I get there, yes. Fine.” Skylar placed her phone screen down on the table and glanced around the room. “Where’s the desserts already? I’m starving.”
“Ah, yes…” Emma began before a familiar face interrupted.
“Don’t tell me Nick had anything to do with them,” Sam cracked before braying and slapping his knee. “Or we’re gonna need a stomach pump to end the night.”
Nick slipped in beside her and rubbed a comforting hand to her back. “You have nothing to fear. Every morsel was touched only by Emma’s—” He leaned in and whispered in her ear, ”—beautiful, enchanting, succulent—“ Then he shouted to the rest of the table, “—fingers. You’re safe.”
Steadying her shoulders, Emma began her speech. “Tonight will be a celebration of the holidays with a caffeinated twist. We’ll begin the first course with a quartet of bonbons. The first is inspired by a sleigh ride, peppermint twists with…” As she continued, explaining the dishes and their history, Emma felt like she was flying.
The secret dinner went better than she could have expected. Some plates didn’t even have crumbs left. She’d bustled around the tables, talking with people, recommending wines or coffees to go with. Nick chipped in, playing surprise bartender, as he mixed up a few drinks for the people who wanted to stay and savor the atmosphere. Even as the clock struck midnight, no one seemed to want to trek out into the snow. It took Nick grumbling and pulling out the wash basin to get them to gather their coats.
Every single person asked for a ticket to the next one that Emma hadn’t even planned. She wanted to squeal but fought to keep her excitement tempered to remain professional as she bid goodbye to the last of the guests.
“I’m gonna stay at Dad’s tonight,” Skylar said to Nick.
He stared at his brother before looking at his niece. “You’re trying to get out of clean-up, aren’t you?”
She laughed and nodded, even though it was obvious she wanted to spend time with her father. They had a lot of catching up to do.
“I can’t say I blame you,” Nick groaned staring at the stacks of plates. Fancy dinners were great at making dishes. “How old’s this Jeremy guy again?”
“Sixteen,” Skylar said, before adding, “and a half. But that still fits the half plus seven rule. So…”
Nick tipped his head, unable to argue. Skylar giggled, then ran over to hug Emma. “That was amazing. I got so many likes from your dishes.”
“I love you, too,” Emma said hugging her before the girl dashed for the parking lot, already texting her friends.
“You.” Nick cupped his brother’s shoulder and held him tight. Pete gulped and looked at him when Nick pulled him in for a half hug and slapped his back. “I’m glad you finally got here.”
“Me too. Though, your lady keeps making chocolate cakes like that, and I’ll visit every weekend.”
Nick put on a toothy grin to tell Pete he was testing him. The man laughed, called for Skylar, and left the two of them alone. Emma undid the snaps on her chef jacket to breathe in the cool air. She gathered up the first of the plates for the basin when Nick swept his hands around her stomach.
“Leave that,” he said.
She abandoned the trash even while saying, “We’ll have to clean it up eventually.”
“That’s for later. Right now…” He cupped under her chin and gazed down into her eyes. A heartwarming smile crossed his lips, and he kissed her under the mistletoe. “You are the best thing to ever happen to me, Emma Belmont.”
“I can’t imagine my life without you in it, Nick Iverson,” she said, feeling silly saying his full name. She started to laugh when Nick dropped to one knee.
For a second, she feared he’d hurt his back before reality caught up. “Oh my god!” she cried, clasping a hand to her mouth.
“Emma, you’re amazing. You make life worth living. I want to wake beside you every morning. To stay up late hosting these secret dessert parties even if I drag ass and growl like a bear the next morning.”
She laughed at that, tears falling from her eyes.
“Will you marry me?” Nick reached into a back pocket. Instead of a small box, he held up a stack of papers.
“Yes! A thousand times, yes. Only, what are…?” She took his hands and not the papers, fearful he meant for them to marry that moment. As romantic as that sounded, she was too exhausted to even think it.
Nick rose and held them out for her. “You know that place next door that used to be a buffet with all the nice ovens?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Instead of a ring, I bought you a bakery.”
Oh my god.Emma stared at the deed to the retail space in disbelief. He did that for her? He believed in her enough to…?
