Page 43 of Playoffs & Promises

Hannah groans. "Somebody show him."

Alexis pulls out her phone, and flips to a picture she took earlier. The display case is filled top to bottom with Left Wing's Cupcakes. They each have a little pink heart on top, and a sign on it says RESERVED.

I'm on my feet in an instant, not caring about Hannah's questions or leaving them all in my home. They could TP my apartment, swap my shampoo for hair be gone, doesn't matter. I'm about to leave them all here.

My keys are in my hand, when Hannah stops me. "Don't worry about Cinnamon, Lou, Mom and I will watch her."

"Mom?" I repeat, as I pick up the gift I'd wrapped specially for Maria.

Hannah grins evilly. "She wanted to meet her grand-dog, her flight lands in an hour."

I shake my head and bolt out the door. In no time at all I'm at La Petite. The woman at the register gives me a knowing grin when she sees me.

"I'm Isa, Maria's cousin. About time we met properly. Even if I know you aren't here for me."

"I'd like to buy a cupcake," I say pulling out my wallet. "Actually, I'd like to buy a lot of them."

She frowns apologetically, "I'm sorry Lou, I can't sell them to you."

My heart sinks as I start to put my wallet back in my pocket.

"Maria, you have a visitor." She calls into the back, then says to me. "I can't sell them to you, but she can."

Maria appears like an angel dusted in powdered sugar, which she promptly tries to brush away as she steps around the counter. The sight of her makes my heart race.

"Please tell me those are for me." I say, pointing to the reserved sign.

"Well, maybe one or two..." she smiles, "dozen."

I hand her the gift, wrapped in the cupcake-theme paper. "Here, this is for you."

Maria tears into the paper, revealing a frame with a big blue ribbon and a scorecard inside. I'd filled the scorecard out myself.

Appearance: Gorgeous

Originality: One of a kind

Overall: No one compares

"Lou." Her voice is soft as she touches the glass, and her eyes sparkle as she looks at me.

"Come with me?" I ask.

"Where?"

"To adopt Cinnamon. Officially."

"Really?" she asks, her smile widening.

I nod, my heart pounding.

"Help me with this line first, and then we can go."

We spend the next hour working together, handing out cupcakes and taking selfies with the hockey fans that flood the shop. There's laughter, warmth, and a sense of togetherness that makes my chest swell with something more than just pride. I can see how much this place, these people, mean to Maria. When the line finally dies down, and the shelves are nearly empty, she takes my hand.

"Let's go," she says, her voice soft and full of promise.

After picking up a very happy Cinnamon from a very confused Hannah, and my very happy mom, we drive out to Gavin and Gabby's rescue. When we arrive Gabby meets us at the door, her eyes widening when she sees us.

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