Page 117 of Some Like It Hot

I’m not sure how I feel or how I’m supposed to feel.

Blake sits down on the bed with a deep sigh. “Come here.”

He holds his hand out to me and I step between his legs gratefully.

He raises Aidan’s shirt and presses a kiss on my stomach, of all places.

Then he hugs me around the waist, peppering kisses over my breasts.

I sigh and lean into him.

When he pulls me onto the bed and opens my thighs, I’m grateful for the dark.

Because even though I’m happy for Simon and Aidan to have found each other, and Blake to be getting his dream retirement, I’m sad for me.

Where does all of this leave me?

Alone.

That’s where.

I hold on to Blake with both hands, achingly aware this is all ending soon.

CHAPTER 28

Elise

We’re meeting Blake’s grandmother at the bakery.

I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.

On the surface, it’s good. I love the bakery and feel at home here. She’ll love our desserts. I should feel more relaxed here. And it’s a huge compliment that she has always wanted to try Books and Buns.

It’s been about two weeks since we first came up with our how-we-met story and we’ve filled in more details since then. We’re ready for this meeting. But I’m so jumpy that I feel like I’ve already had four cups of coffee.

I suppose I’d feel that way no matter where we were meeting.

Why am I nervous though? This isn’t real. It doesn’t matter in the long run if she likes me or not.

But I want this to go well for Blake. The cabin is important to him, and if his grandmother does not believe that we are heading down the aisle, she might not turn the place over to him.

I will admit that there’s a little jab in my chest when I think about him moving to Minnesota. Not only do I not want him that far away because I’ll miss him, but I’m a little concerned about him becoming a hermit as well. He’s a quiet guy. Not a people person. But he has seemed happy with the time he’s spent with me, Aidan, and Simon. I kind of hate the idea of him up there in the woods all alone.

I take a deep breath and push through the swinging door, stepping out from the kitchen and into the main bakery with the tray of macarons, pain au chocolat, and éclairs.

I’ve already served both Blake and Heidi coffee and cappuccino. They are sitting at one of our tables near the front window.

Blake looks almost ridiculous in the tiny white wrought-iron chair. His hulking frame makes everything in the bakery look even more dainty and feminine than usual.

I’ve seen hockey players in here before. Crew McNeill stops by, and Alexsei Ryan is, of course, a regular. But even next to them, Blake is humongous.

“Good luck,” Luna says softly to me.

I had to confess the fake engagement to her and Dani. I couldn’t have them believing that Blake and I were actually getting married.

“Thanks.” The huge diamond on my left hand catches the sunlight as I pick up three glass dessert plates. “It’s going to be fine, right?" I ask Luna.

“Convincing her that you have feelings for Blake?" Luna asks. She gives me a wink. “Completely fine.”

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