Page 113 of Trust Me

Love changes you. Don’t let anyone tell you differently. But it’s a good change. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

We shower and get ready for the day, as Elio informs me that he’s taking me somewhere. Excited, I dress warmly in jeans, a sherpa sweater, and boots. It’s freezing this time of year, and I hate being cold at any cost.

Elio pulls onto the highway around lunch, and I notice we’re driving toward the small town he grew up in, Chesterville.

I take the time to send a quick text to Camille, who was traveling with the boys’ baseball team for a pre-season game today.

Why do I feel like that was the most unconvincing text I’ve ever received?

I tuck my phone away, and a few minutes later, my heart stops when we pull up and park in front of the corner shop that was for sale the last time we came here. The one I saw my dream playing out in.

The one that’s sold. Fuck.

I feel a piece of my heart dull at the sight. But I could find another place I loved, right?

“I have something to show you,” Elio says as he opens my door.

I was so lost in my head that I hadn’t even noticed he got out of the SUV. I get out of the car, and Elio takes my gloved hand in his and leads me to the side of the building, toward a door.

Elio pulls out his keys and is about to put one in the door when I finally come to my senses.

I grab his wrist, alarmed. “Elio, what are you doing?”

He grins, one of those panty-dropping grins. “If I remember correctly, it’s Valentine’s Day, and partners usually buy each other something, right?”

My breath ceases in my lungs while my heart pounds viciously against my chest. “Yes…but why do you have a key for this building?”

“Open it and find out.” He shrugs, handing me the key.

With a shaky hand, I take the key from him, open the door, and step inside. My mouth falls at the state-of-the-art kitchen. It looks exactly like the one I pinned on Pinterest…wait a minute.

I rush out of the kitchen and stop in my tracks.

No. He. Didn’t.

My eyes blur with tears as I take in the bakery that is set up exactly like I imagined and like the pins on my bakery board.

The counters are white, with gold accents throughout the space. There’s a plush seating area near a fireplace, along with a bunch of café-style chairs and tables throughout. There’s a brick wall on one side, the opposite a burnt orange, and the wooden floors are stained a honey maple.

A bookshelf sits on one wall, filled with a bunch of romance books. On another wall is an orange ombre of fake flowers in the shape of a heart. It’s an ode to my grandma, who gave me the heart on my bracelet that I wear every day.

“This is why our make-up Valentine’s Day is today. The finishing touches were only done yesterday.”

I spin to find Elio watching me with a glint in his eyes, as mine overflow with tears now.

“Elio,” I croak, my voice hoarse with emotions. “This is too much. Let me pay you for it, slowly, because I don’t have that money on me right now.”

He stalks toward me then, taking my face between his large hands. “Dolcezza, I believe the words you’re looking for are thank you. Say them and move on, okay? You deserve this.”

“But why would you do this?”

“I told you…you’re my world and I love you so fucking much. I want to help you reach your dreams, and I have the money to do it. So why not help you get started? Is that wrong?” he asks, seeming a bit worried.

“It’s not, babe. I’m overwhelmed, seeing my dream come to life,” I sniffle as Elio runs his thumbs under my eyes, wiping the tears away. “I can’t even put into words how grateful I am for this, for you. It means everything to me.”

“I might have an idea.” He raises one brow, forcing a chuckle to bubble from my lips.

“Oh, don’t you worry, my lips will be on your cock in a couple of minutes. But I want to give you my gift first. It’s going to look really lame now.”

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