Page 115 of Bake You Mine
“Be patient, it’ll pass like everything else.”
“How about we go for a ride? I may or may not have gotten your name stenciled on the side of your helmet.”
She laughed. “How could I say no?”
He brought both arms around her shoulders. “I love you, now and forever. I mean it.”
Aubrey realized they’d both won. This stupid contest had allowed her business to grow, but she now had Liam’s heart to hold.
“Love you back, I mean it.”
epilogue
Spring
“That’ll do it.”
Liam taped up one side of a decorative ribbon in front of the entrance to Elevation Express. Gary taped up the other side and placed a sign advertising the grand opening on the door. Damon was busy doing final checks in the kitchen. Liam swiped a hand over his eyes and wondered if somebody had been cutting onions.
This wasn’t the dream he’d set out with, but somehow, it was even better.
Gary slapped a hand on Liam’s back. “You should be very proud of this place, Liam.”
“I couldn’t have done it without your guidance. You helped me more than you’ll ever know.”
Gary’s eyes crinkled around the edges as he reached for Liam’s hand to shake it. “Thank you, Liam.”
A large pickup window sat at the front of the store. Tables and chairs were squeezed in, along with a communal counter and stools stretching along the back wall. The small kitchenwas already busy preparing for their first-ever lunch service, giving the restaurant an alluring aroma of crab cake ravioli.
This would be his place to experiment, teach, and grow his business. With this space and the newly renovated dining space at Elevation, Liam was right where he wanted to be.
“By the way, here’s the real reason why I dropped by.” Gary handed over a small bag. “My guy is the best in the area. You were right to go to him.”
With shaking hands, Liam took the bag. “Thanks again for everything, Gary.”
Liam’s mother poked her head in. “Are we a go, William?”
Liam swallowed down his nerves. “We are.”
She let out a delighted squeal and ran off.
If all went well, more than one life-changing event would occur today.
“Did you see it?” Dorthea effortlessly moved through Petit Chou’s packed dining room. It was Memorial Day weekend, and Port Fortune was bursting with tourists taking in the beautiful weather. Even though the dining room had been open for nearly six months, Aubrey still puffed up with pride at the tables packed with customers.
The space was a dream come true, with floral pastel wallpaper, a collection of knick-knacks, framed photos, and art prints on the walls. Including some of her original art. Like that sketch she’d made of Liam during the final days of the competition. How much had changed since then.
She turned to find Liam’s mother holding today’s copy ofThe Port Fortune Pinnacle,with a headline proclaiming her and Liam:
THE KING AND QUEEN OF PORT FORTUNE’S RESTAURANT SCENE.
Beneath the headline was a photo of Liam and Aubrey in the empty Elevation Express space. They sat side by side in seats at the counter that wrapped around the kitchen, her feet dangling freely while his were planted firmly on the ground. They grinned at each other like they were in on a joke nobody else knew.
Inset amongst the text was the photo that started it all, taken last year before the competition began. How much had changed since then.
“Of course, I have. I think Dad’s already framed his copy.”
“I’ll have to have him frame mine, too,” she said.
