Page 107 of Saving Me
I smile when I hear him chuckle as he closes the door.
He helps me out and takes my arm, guiding me forwarduntil we come to a stop a few steps later. His arms come up behind me, and he slowly unties the cloth.
I blink as the setting sun hits my eyes, and they adjust. We are standing on the sidewalk in the downtown area of Blue Haven. His tattoo place is a few doors down, along with the cafe and other storefronts.
“You’re taking me to your tattoo chair again?” I look around and try to figure out what I’m not seeing.
“No, although that’s very tempting,” he softly laughs in my ear. “Look up,” he whispers.
I glance up at the building in front of me and gasp when I see the sign.
Lyla’s Sweets
A hummingbird is carved into the wooden sign next to the name.
“What…How…” I whip my head around and see him grinning from ear to ear.
“When I heard Mr. and Mrs. Williams were retiring and wanting to sell this place, I immediately made them an offer. It’s the perfect location for your bakery. I also heard there’s a really hot tattoo artist who works nearby, and he has a very bad sweet tooth, so he’ll probably be stopping by any chance he can get.”
“Is that so,” I laugh before looking back at the sign as tears well up in my eyes.
His arms wrap around me, and I lean my head against him. “The good thing is that it was a bakery before, and they just had the kitchen and floors renovated. It’s practically move-in ready for you.
I’m not familiar with bread baking versus desserts, but I’m assuming most of the equipment you need in the kitchen is the same. We can replace anything that isn’t.”
“I can’t believe you did this,” I whisper, swiping at the tears that keep falling.
“Want to see the inside?” He dangles the key in my face, and I nod my head excitedly.
He unlocks the door and turns on the light. Roses fill the room in all different shades of color. “Jake, it’s beautiful,” I say in awe before turning back to him.
My throat catches as he gets down on one knee. I clutch my hummingbird necklace tightly as a sob escapes.
“Lyla Rose Pierce, I will forever be grateful that I came barrelling through that door and covered you in your chocolate desserts.”
I softly laugh through the tears as I wipe them away.
“I knew right away that our story was just beginning, and I would do everything in my power to bring those beautiful eyes back to life. What I didn’t know was how much life you would bring to mine. I fell deeply in love with you, and every day, I still fall even more. I want the dinners together every night and to see you dancing and smiling until your cheeks hurt. I want the late-night bourbon talks and beating you in strip pool nights,” he grins.
I laugh, dropping to my knees in front of him.
“I want you, little hummingbird,” he says softly. “All of you and all your days and nights ahead.” He takes my hand, and his grey eyes shine love into mine. “Will you marry me and take all of me, too?”
“Yes,” I nod quickly, my voice catching on a sob. “It will always be yes.”
He grins, his eyes lighting up, as he slides the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen on my finger. The silver band is lined with diamonds, and in the middle sits a diamond rose.
“It’s breathtaking,” I whisper.
“Just like you,” he smiles.
I hurl myself into his arms, and he catches me before Isilence his laugh with a kiss. I pour my love onto him as I kiss him deeply.
“I love you so much,” I breathe against his lips.
“I love you so much, too.” I pull his lips back to mine until we both are breathless.
“As much as I want to continue this, I have one more surprise that’s waiting for us,” he says, finally breaking away.
