Page 104 of Baking With A Rockstar

Always so thoughtful. “Of course, silly. That sounds perfect.”

“And I was hoping that we can tell them about us too?” He leans back, pulling a little box out of his pants.

His hands shake a little as he gives me the box.

“Hudson?” My hands tremble too, and I think I’m starting to sweat.

Putting his hand on the box, he keeps me from opening it. “It’s not what you might think it is. Not because I don’t want to, but because I don’t want to overwhelm you and go too fast. Regardless though, don’t doubt for even a second that you’ll getthatbox too, at some point. But this”—he taps on the box in my hand—“is my way of telling you that I want you. Just in case there was any doubt left in your mind.”

I slowly open the lid, not wanting to wait for another moment. I stare at the silver key that’s nestled in the middle of the box.

“I know you already have one, but I wanted you to have your very own, not just a spare. Because without you guys, this place is just a house. It’s you two that make it a home, my favorite place I can’t wait to get back to whenever I’m out. I want you with me, day and night, for good. Both of you. Always.”

“You want us to stay with you? For real?” My brain is fuzzy again. Conversations with Hannah float around my mind, and her telling me she’s moving back into her place soon. Now that I think about it, she’d never mentioned us.

“Heck yes. I couldn’t think of anyone better to share this place with than you two. Just imagining the house all empty and quiet without you is more than depressing and just impossible to accept. We can get Mira’s room all made up just for her, and you can get whatever you need for the kitchen. Anything. It’s yours.”

Taking the key out of the box, I hold it up, noticing several key tags on the key ring. My eyes become teary as I inspect them closer, and the laughter bubbles out of me when I readI love HudsonandHudson and Charlie forever.But my favorite might beHudson, Charlie, and Mirawith a big heart around it.

My head is moving up and down—I think. Everything is a bit fuzzy and surreal right now.

Cupping both of my cheeks with his hands, he holds my head steady. “Is that a yes, sweetheart?”

I laugh and nod as much as I can. “Absolutely. Yes, yes, yes. I feel the same way about you and our life. I tried not to think about moving out because every time I did, I just wanted to cry. I can’t imagine living without you anymore either, and I know Mira feels the same. She adores you so much.”

“Good, because I feel the same about her.” Our gazes lock, and I can see my future play out in Hudson’s eyes—offering me everything I could ever ask for and then some. “I love you, sweetheart.”

A very happy future indeed.

“I love you, Hudson. Forever.”

“Forever.”

Epilogue

One year and one day later

“Happy anniversary, sweetheart.”Hudson’s arms wind around my waist from behind, still making my heart speed up, just like day one. “I’m so proud of you.” He nudges my throat with his nose, sending a little shiver up my spine.

I turn around in his arms to face him, catching our reflection in the bathroom mirror. “I haven’t really done much. The bakery has only been doing so well because these awesome people come in to buy our food every day. It’s all because of them.”

Leaning down, he kisses first one cheek, then the other, before moving to my lips. I feel like I might melt into a puddle if he keeps doing that. “Yes, but someone needs to make all those delicious goodies for those awesome people to buy.”

I chuckle at his insistence. “Okay, I’ll take it. Thank you. I can’t believe it’s already been a year since I opened.”

Gazing up into his eyes, I want to get lost in them like I do pretty much every time. Opening a bakery has always been a dream of mine, and it was fantastic when it finally happened. I’m definitely excited about the first anniversary and about celebrating it, but right now, I’d rather spend some more time with Hudson. Especially since he just got home from the last concert of his tour yesterday—just in time for Mira’s birthday. I’m not sure who was happier to see him.

Sounds like that deserves a celebration too.

Pouting, I lean into him. “Do we have to go? Can’t we just stay home for a bit longer?”

He smiles at me, his eyes sparkling mischievously. “Well, we could, but just think about all those poor people that woke up today wanting to eat some of your delicious cake or pastries.”

“All right, all right.” I mindlessly brush my hands across his chest while still gazing up at him. “I’m so happy you’re back for good now.”

He lets out a big breath, staring at the white ceiling. “Tell me about it. I was seriously counting down the hours. I’m not sure if I was happier when we were done, or the rest of the tour team. Apparently, I’ve been getting on everyone’s nerves a bit.”

That makes me chuckle, especially since I’ve come to know all of the bandmates and most of the tour crew pretty well over the last year, joining Hudson for his concerts whenever it was possible. “I can just imagine you guys. Even though we all know they missed their other halves just as much as you did.”

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