Page 174 of Fought and Freed

“Can I have everyone’s attention?” Maddy clapped her hands and waited for everyone to stop and turn toward her. “I’m not sure what to say other than that this has been a dream of mine since I was a teenager working at Crumbs Bakery. Today is going to be a learning curve for us. If you have questions or problems, find me, any of my guys, or Allison.”

She grinned. “Now, let’s open those doors and have a great day!”

With the workers behind her, she walked out the front door.

The line to get in was now around the block, and at the front stood everyone she loved. Lucca and Torr, holding their baby twins, Aaron and Jackie. Uncle Marco and Uncle Sal. Harry and his girlfriend, Lena. Jared and Giselle. Even Curtis showed up.

And, of course, right in front was her family.

It brought tears to her eyes.

Maddy stepped out of the doors and raised her voice. “I just want to thank my family for helping this dream of mine come true. For all those late nights I stayed here, making sure everything was perfect, I couldn’t have done this without you.”

She turned to her big guy. “A special thanks goes to Cody for the beautiful wooden counter he made me. I love it, and it’s one of a kind. Make sure you get a good look at it because he carved my name and logo into it.”

E.J. screamed from Skylar’s arms. “I want my mommy!”

Her stomach still flipped whenever E.J. called her mommy. She would be the only mommy he would ever know. Amber had signed her parental rights to E.J. away shortly before she was convicted of attempted manslaughter, and she was serving time in jail.

Skylar set E.J. down, and he ran right to her.

Maddy picked him up, and he laid his head on her shoulders as she continued her speech. “Lastly, I want to thank Jean for giving a very lost girl a job and for shaping me into the woman I am today. I hope I can make your recipes half as good as you do. Thank you for coming to the opening of Sweet Treats.”

Her employees turned and started to open the door, but Cody stopped them. “Can I have everyone’s attention, please?”

Maddy gave him a look as the guys lined up in front of everyone. What were they doing?

Skylar had something planned, but she didn’t think this was it.

Kelly ran up to her. “Give me E.J. for a moment.”

Confused, Maddy passed the toddler to her daughter, who hurried to stand next to Giselle, who still held Ryan.

Cody stepped forward. “Maddy, from the moment I almost hit you with my truck, you were the girl for me. While I sometimes go into Alpha mode, as you call it, it’s only because I want to protect you. You’ve made me into a better man, and I love you.”

Ryder stepped up next. “When I saw you looking at sheets in Walmart, I had to talk to you. I used one of my best lines on you, and when you flipped it and ended up playing me, I knew you were the girl for me. Over the years, you helped me find my worth and gave me a son. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Silk, you are my soulmate, my ride or die, and I love you.”

Skyer came next. “I was a mess when we first met. I mean, what nineteen-year-old has a ball fight in the middle of Walmart?” That earned a few laughs. “I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life, and I didn’t care. All I wanted to do was have fun.”

He gazed at her with love shining in his eyes. “You amazed me, Maddy, with how strong you were, how you overcame every obstacle that got in your path. You made me see what life was like and how it was okay to be who I am. I love you with my whole heart and soul.”

And lastly, Jace joined the line. “I’ve always been the nerd of this group, but that never bothered you. I didn’t realize how we were just moving along day after day, never really living, until you came into our lives. You brought life back to us. You made us want more out of that life. I don’t think you will ever understand how truly special you are. I love you.”

They get down on one knee, and Maddy gasped. Oh my God.

“Maddy, will you marry us?” they said together, and Ryder held out a box with a diamond ring in it.

She stood there stunned for a second before she shouted, “Yes, of course, I will!”

Everyone started cheering, and her family closed in on them.

Ryder took the ring and slid it onto her finger.

“One more thing!” Skylar yelled.

This was what she was expecting, and she eagerly held her breath.

Skylar got down on one knee. “Jace, you’ve been there for me since we were kids. You’re my best friend, and I love you. Will you marry me?”

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