Page 47 of All You Need Is Macchiato

"Your sign." I hand it to her carefully. "Though I retain artistic privileges for any future woodworking needs."

"Making yourself indispensable?" Her fingers trace the carved laurel petals.

"Just ensuring my supply of free coffee."

"As if you pay anyway." But she's smiling that soft smile that's just for me.

Aunt Evie clears her throat. "Well, I can see when three's a crowd. Though..." She glances meaningfully at the ring box burning a hole in my jacket pocket. "Sometimes crowds have their uses."

She disappears into the morning bustle, leaving me wondering—not for the first time—how she always knows everything.

"She's plotting something," Kathryn says, still admiring the sign.

"When isn't she?"

"True." She looks up at me. "But she did get one thing right."

"Oh?"

"Bringing us together." She steps closer, coffee and vanilla and home. "Even if we were too stubborn to see it at first."

"I saw it." I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. "I was just..."

"Difficult?"

"Cautious."

"Stubborn."

"Strategic."

She laughs, the sound mixing with coffee grinders and morning chatter and everything that makes this place special. "Well, whatever you want to call it, I'm glad you got over it."

"Me too." The ring box feels heavier by the second. "Though I was thinking..."

"Always dangerous."

"Maybe we could make it official."

She raises an eyebrow. "The partnership? Pretty sure Aunt Evie already handled the paperwork."

"Not exactly what I had in mind."

Understanding dawns in her eyes as I reach for my pocket. "Nolan..."

"I had this whole speech planned." The box feels warm in my palm. "About wishes and coffee shops and how you turned my whole world upside down in the best possible way."

"Had?"

"Have." I take her hand. "But looking at you here, in our coffee shop, wearing my shirt and that smile that makes me forget how to breathe... I just want to ask. Simply. Honestly."

The morning light paints her in gold as I sink to one knee, and suddenly the whole shop goes quiet.

"Kathryn Taylor, will you?—"

"Yes." Her eyes shine with tears and laughter. "Yes, you ridiculous man. Even without the speech."

"I didn't actually ask yet."

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