Page 51 of Cupcake

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Twenty

The bakery was quiet, which wasn’t something I could say often. There was no hum of the mixer, ding of the bell over the door, or chatter by the counter. It was just me preparing the bins we’d need to take with us to the fairgrounds while Brady ran upstairs to shower.

Upstairs.

In my bathroom.

It felt strange but oddly perfect. Sure, Brady’s apartment was across town, and it made more sense for him just to shower upstairs, but after our discussion last night, I wondered how long it would be before we took the next step in our relationship. How long do you wait to move in with each other? He’s been at my apartment every night for the last couple of weeks, but that’s just the newness of the relationship, right?

“Haylee, are you here?” Amber called as she walked into the bakery.

“How long are you supposed to date before you move in together?” I blurted out.

She paused in the doorway and looked left and then right. “Um, that depends?”

My shoulders slumped, and I shook my head. “Ignore me. I’m tired and have way too much on my mind.”

“That much was clear,” she said with a chuckle while she gave me one of her best friend hugs of encouragement. “Are you talking about you and Brady?”

“That obvious, eh?”

“Well, he does make googly eyes at you all day long, so pretty dang obvious, yeah.”

“He told me he loved me last night and asked me to be his girlfriend,” I whispered, looking around to make sure he hadn’t come in the back door.

Amber grasped my shoulders and shook me. “What?” she exclaimed with so much excitement it didn’t even sound like a question. “Seriously?” I nodded, my head on a string. “Oh, my heavenly cupcakes! What did you say?”

I laughed at her dramatics and gave her the palms out. “I told Brady that I’m bad at showing it, but I love him, too. I also agreed to be his girlfriend everywhere but here.”

“Here, you’re his boss,” she said on a laugh. “I’m so frigging happy right now I can’t even stand it.”

“Wait,” I said, sticking a pin in the conversation. “Why are you here?”

“I forgot the banner for the Berry Sinful cupcakes. I ran back to grab it before things get too busy over there. Taylor is handling the table until I get back.”

“Why didn’t you text me? I could have brought it with me.”

“You could have, but it’s slow over there right now, and I wanted to make sure you didn’t need any help. Besides, Taylor is running the table so I can be fluid today. I need to help you and Brady with the bake-off and then run back here and grab all the Berry Sinful cupcakes you made for after the competition.”