Page 53 of The Cupcake Cottage

Daisy-Mae, say hello to a total Myles repeat.

Maverick reached across the table, his expression growing more and more worried as the seconds ticked by and she remained silent.

Being engaged to Maverick would be amazing. She was sure of it. He was sweet. And fun and easy to be with. He was a rock of muscle. Hot. Strong. Safe.

“I don’t think we’re quite there in our relationship,” she said, wincing. This wasn’t about their relationship or how either of them felt. They were real dating, but an engagement this soon wouldn’t be.

And possibly, it could ruin everything.

She really wanted it, though. But what could she do? Admit this had become very personal to her and she’d only ever say yes out of love?

“Yeah, it’s for a pop of publicity,” he said quickly, his Adam’s apple bobbing.

“If we get engaged and then break up, it’ll backfire. We’ll look stupid. Engagements are for people in love. Doing it for public approval is taking things too far.”

“Daisy-Mae, I don’t know if you know this, but I’m kind of falling for you over here.”

She laughed.

“No. I’m serious.”

She met his solid gaze and realized it was true. Maverick hadn’t led with it, but he had feelings. Serious, true feelings for her.

“It could help, but it’s a lie,” she said tentatively, hoping he’d correct her and confirm that this might be love for him, too.

“Maybe it’s not a lie.”

Her heart lifted like it was going to explode out of the top of her chest.

Maverick Blades.

This might shape up to become the best day of her life so far. She leaned over the table, kissing him firmly.

“I know it’s early,” he said when she stopped kissing him, “but maybe one day you might also––”

“Maverick Blades, you silly, dense man,” she snapped before she could stop herself. “I have been crushing on you for so many years. And dating you has only made those feelings stronger. I love the way you treat me, and you have been the best boyfriend. Ever.”

She waited for that to sink in.

He tipped his head slightly. “Ever?”

“I’m just sorry it’s taken us so long to get here.” She gave him another kiss, and Mrs. Fisher, who’d come by to give their cups a top up, quickly kept going.

“Well, I don’t know about you, but I want to move fast.”

She thought about it for a moment. They’d known each other as friends for a long time, so maybe this wasn’t so crazy after all. Maybe it wasn’t such a huge blur or a rush.

“I’ll let you think on the plan for the New Year, but just assume you’re going everywhere as my date from here on out, okay?”

She stuck out her hand, shaking his, unable to block her giant grin. “Deal.”

He gave her a funny look as she released his hand.

“Sorry. I might be a tad excited.”

“I think I finally understand why Myles and Karen got so deep, so fast.”

“Because when you’re as old as we are—”

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