Page 64 of Whisked Away
Alex’s voice pulls me back to the present. “Missy leaves in a few weeks,” she says, a hint of nervousness still in her tone. “After that, if it works for you, Mr. Hart...” She pauses, a smile tugging at her lips. “Then yes, I think I’d like to try out living somewhere slower-paced and, as you once said to me, reigniting some passions.”
Joy surges through me. I jump to my feet, move around the counter, and whirl Alex around in a giant hug, lifting her off her feet.
Her laughter, bright and beautiful, fills the small kitchen. “Is that a yes?” she asks, her arms wrapped tightly around my neck.
I set her down gently, cupping her face in my hands. “That’s a yes, please,” I murmur before capturing her lips in a kiss that holds all the promise of our future together.
When we finally part, both a little breathless, Alex grins up at me. “All right then, Chief,” she says, her eyes sparkling. “Looks like you’ve got yourself a new neighbor.”
I can’t help but laugh, pulling her close once more. “Welcome home, Alex,” I whisper against her hair. “Welcome home.”
Alex
EPILOGUE: SWEET PROMISES
The bell over The Whimsical Whisk’s door jingles as I push it open, the familiar scent of vanilla and cinnamon permeating the air. It’s been a year since I first stepped foot in this bakery, and now it feels more like home than my apartment in New York ever did.
“Alex!” Mia calls out, jumping up from our usual booth. Rachel, Rihanna from the library, Tom, who works at the Bait and Tackle shop, and Violet, Hazel’s granddaughter, all have their hands wrapped tightly around steaming mugs of coffee. Everyone is eager for the update.
“Sorry, I interrupted book club,” I say, sliding into the booth.
“Well, what’s the news?” Rachel leans forward, her eyes sparkling.
I can’t help the grin that spreads across my face. “That was my agent. It’s official.Tell Me Something Sweetis going to be more than just a blog. We have a book deal!”
The table erupts in cheers and congratulations. Tom raiseshis mug in a toast. “I guess we know what our next book club read will be!”
I laugh, shaking my head. “It’s not really fiction, though.”
Mia catches my eye, a mischievous glint in her gaze. “Well, it’s not the full truth either.” We all share a knowing chuckle at that.
“Besides,” Rihanna adds, “once your café next door is up and running, we won’t have to worry about getting kicked out early when the place closes.”
As if on cue, Ethan appears from the back with Jas in tow, both wearing flour-dusted aprons that make my heart skip a beat. Even after all this time, the sight of Ethan still takes my breath away.
“You’re all welcome to stay as late as you like,” Ethan says, his blue eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiles. “But us bakers have to rise at the crack of dawn. What’s all this celebrating about?”
I meet his gaze, and his eyebrows raise. With just a look, he knows. “Seriously?”
“Seriously!” I say.
“Oh my god, Alex, that’s amazing news.” He rushes over as I stand, then twirls me around the room. Jas squeals and claps his hands as my friends cheer in the background.
Before Ethan puts me back on my feet, Zoe bursts through the kitchen door. “All right, bookworms, as much as I enjoy watching Alex make googly eyes at our resident Teddy Bear baker, some of us have a date with a pillow and a Netflix queue.” She saunters over to Mia and throws an arm around her wife’s shoulders. “Besides, if I have to watch Ethan and Alex dance around the dining room for one more minute, I might go into sugar shock. And let me tell you, that’s saying something coming from a pastry chef.”
Ethan rolls his eyes good-naturedly. “Zoe, behave.”
“Never,” she grins, then winks at me. “Someone’s gotta keep things interesting around here, right, City Girl?”
“Right.”
Everyone seems to buzz with the desire to share my news. I know Zoe will dance and shout the loudest of anyone, but I can also tell she’s tired. Mia gives me a wink as she leads her to the door. She’ll break the news, and I can expect fluorescent, rainbow cupcakes later in the week to celebrate.
As the group disperses, Tom asks, “When are you going to marry this one, Ethan?”
Heat rises to my cheeks as Ethan and I exchange a look. Fear and desire blend in his eyes—a complexity I’ve come to understand and love. He’s still cautious sometimes, but always honest with me. I laugh, trying to deflect. “Who says I’m ready to settle down?”
The group chuckles, and Ethan’s shoulders relax.
