Page 105 of You Cake My Breath Away

My skin heats with all the eyes that shift to me, and applause and whoops of congratulations fill the air. Stunned, I struggle to find words to convey the sheer insanity of all of this. The bakery case is filled with treats I didn’t make, there’s a line of people out the door that I didn’t invite, and the man I’ve fallen in love with is standing behind the counter when he should be in Tennessee.

Dizzy and confused, I find a seat and plop my purse on the table. My mouth is dry as Archer makes his way over to me with a bouquet of flowers in his hand.

“How?” I ask, breathless. “Why?”

He takes my hand, pulling me from the chair and handing me the flowers. “Because this is your dream.”

My eyes fall to the aromatic sweet alyssums he gathered in purple, pink, and white. A nudge on my chin, and green eyes pierce the Teflon armor of my heart.

“I want to be the man who makes all of your dreams come true, Tilda St. James.”

Breath rushes out of me, and I close my eyes as his lips meet mine. Loud hoots and hollers echo in the tiny bakery, but I’m reduced to goo as Archer wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me closer. My brain lags to catch up, and I push him back a step, touching my fingertips to my lips.

“But why?” I ask.

He runs a hand through his hair, and the eyes on us seem to narrow as if the entire store is on bated breath waiting to hear his answer.

“Because I made a mistake in leaving.”

I scoff, but immediately feel bad because I pushed him away. If it wasn’t for me, maybe he would’ve stayed here.

No,I tell myself. I pushed him away because he needed to follow his dreams. He’s given so much up for everyone else, and it was time for him to take care of himself.

“I didn’t stay to fight for you, like I should’ve all those years ago. I can only apologize for that, but I’m here right now.”

“What about your job?”

“Forget the job,” he says, moving closer and taking my hand. “There are other jobs out there, but there’s only one you.”

A chorus of ‘awws’ starts around the room, and my eyes lock on Nora and Shantel at the counter boxing up cookies. Their smiles warm my heart, and a small nod from Nora giving her blessing fills my chest with happiness. As if recognizing the moment for what it is, my stomach spins and a wave of nausea hits me.

“But…”

“Enough, Tilda.” Archer’s deep voice sends a chill down my back. “No job, no poker chip, no nothing, will take me from you. I’m yours if you’ll have me.”

“Say yes!” a few customers yell, and I almost want to laugh at how cheesy we probably look, me with my carry-on luggage, and Archer confessing his love.

“I love you, Tilly.”

“I’m pregnant.”

Oh, fuck.I didn’t mean to blurt that out right here.

Everyone’s sharp gasps make it seem like we’re in the theaters and they’re watching a movie. Archer’s eyes are wide, mouth slightly parted. The silence seems to stretch, and a flush creeps up my neck. This was definitely not the time or place I should’ve told Archer something so…earth shattering.

“Sorry,” I mumble. “I didn’t mean—”

My feet leave the floor, and Archer spins me around, his smile so wide I’m worried his face is going to crack.

“Really?” he asks.

My voice is nowhere to be found, but the nausea in my stomach is ever-present and it’s slowly creeping up my chest. I press against his shoulders, willing him to put me down before I throw up all over him in front of the entire store.

He sets me down and holds me at arm distance, eyes filled with excitement. “Really?”

I press my hand against my stomach and nod. “Yes.”

He pulls me into his arms, burying his face in my neck. His hand moves down to my stomach, and I hold my breath as he says, “I love you…both.” His eyes meet mine. “I’m ready to leave all the baggage behind us and move forward together if you are?”

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