Page 67 of Stuffed

"Which part? The bakery's success or…" He nips my ear playfully.

"All of it." I turn in his arms to face him. "The bakery, us, living together… Sometimes I wake up thinking it was all just another teenage fantasy."

"Want me to prove how real it is?" His hands slide lower on my back.

"Later." I pull away with a laugh. "We have unpacking to do. And Espresso's giving us the judgment eyes."

Sure enough, the cat sits on Zane's leather couch, watching us with what can only be described as disdain.

"Don't worry, your majesty," I tell him, pulling out his favorite treats. "I didn't forget about you."

He perks up immediately, jumping down to weave between my legs.

"Traitor," Zane mutters, but he's smiling as he watches us. "At this rate, he's going to forget who rescued who."

"Never." I scratch behind Espresso's ears. "He just knows a good thing when he sees it. I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

Zane's expression softens. "Come here."

"Boxes," I protest weakly, but I'm already moving toward him. “We’re finally so close to being done.”

"It can wait." He pulls me close, pressing his forehead to mine. "I just need a minute to appreciate this. You, here. Making my space ours. Making everything better."

“And you’re sure this isn’t too soon?”

"Wouldn't have it any other way." Zane wraps his arms around me from behind as we watch Espresso eat. "Welcome home, my love."

Chapter 20

Zane

SIX MONTHS LATER…

Istand beneath an arch of white roses on the rooftop garden of our shelter, trying not to fidget with my tie. Below us, the city spreads out like a carpet of stars, but I can't focus on anything except waiting for her. Espresso sits beside me, surprisingly dignified in his little bow tie collar, clearly understanding the importance of his role as ring bearer.

When the music starts, my heart stops.

Tessa appears, and everything else fades away. Her dress is simple, elegant—just like her. No elaborate princess gown or dramatic train. Just pure Tessa, beautiful and real and mine.

I feel my carefully maintained CEO composure crumble into pure joy.

Our guests are a perfect reflection of what we've built together—our families, our closest friends, the shelter residents who've become part of our extended family. Even Matthews is here, beaming like a proud uncle.

Our vows are our own—promises not just of love, but of purpose.

"I promise to always see you," Tessa says, her voice strong despite her tears. "Not the masks you wear or the wallsyou build, but the heart that cares so deeply it scares you sometimes."

My thumb brushes away her tears as I respond. "I promise to be worthy of how you see me. To never stop trying to be the man you believe I am. The man you've helped me become."

But it's the unexpected speeches that catch me off guard.

Tommy, now our head apprentice baker, tells everyone how Tessa taught him to believe in himself. Matthews, surprisingly emotional, speaks of how together, we're transforming the way business can impact community.

My mother rises to speak, her eyes shining. "Sometimes," she says, "the perfect love story isn't about finding someone who changes you. It's about finding someone who helps you become more yourself."

Later, as we dance under the stars, our worlds fully merged at last, I whisper, "Happy, Mrs. Mercer?"

"Deliriously." She rests her head on my chest. "Though I'm keeping Marlow for the bakery."

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