Page 17 of Baking with Bryan

“Is that why you look a little peaked today?”That’s the story we’ll go with.

I nod. “I was up late working on centerpieces. They want to keep everything a surprise from the guests, so we're keeping things hush-hush.”

“That’s exciting.” My mother smiles, and the blue eyes I’d inherited from her sparkle with mirth.

“It’s going to blow everyone away,” I promise her.

“Since you’re getting all glammed up, can I assume you have a date?”

I clear my throat. “Maybe?”

“Who? Nor?”

“Bryan,” I whisper.

Mom huffs. “Well, that’s nothing new. You know you’ll never find romance if you keep using him as a stand-in. Convenience isn’t always best.”

“I know, Mom.”Won’t she be surprised when she finds out?“But he’s helping with the party, so I need to see what he wants.” I shrug sheepishly, and she scowls.

“Go. I’ll take over.” She waves me away.

“Thanks, Mom.” I kiss her cheek and dart out of the kitchen.

I ignore the curious looks of my fellow workers as I rush by them.

“Hey.” I wrap him in a hug, inhaling his masculine scent.

“Hello.” His voice deepens, and he brushes a kiss across my temple. “Long day?”

Sighing, I rest my head against his shoulder, allowing myself a few more moments to soak up his aura. “Long, and I just got grilled thanks to your succubus-ex.”

“What?” He pulls back, and I meet his curiosity-filled gaze. The man of my dreams is finally mine. I still can’t believe I’m in his arms, where I’ve always longed to be. I hope the feeling he invokes never wears away.

“Apparently, Allison’s mother asked her why I was in a wedding dress shop.”

“What the hell?” he mumbles.

“It has to be Allison. What would her mother be doing there in a bridal shop?”

“Of course it was. Allison never wears the same dress twice and always shops out of town to reduce the chance of anyone else having the same outfit.” He shakes his head. “What did you tell your mother?”

“That was for the formal party Dec and E are throwing.”

“My girl’s smart,” he whispers into my ear.

I step away reluctantly. “Not that I’m not glad to see you. But what are you doing here?”

“I missed you. Plus, I wanted to let you know I went to the apple orchard with my nephews and brought back enough apples to attempt a pie.”

“You’re feeling brave?”

“When I know you’re going to be in the kitchen beside me, yes. ‘Cause you won’t let me fail.”

“You know I always have your back. I’ll bring some fun cookie cutters, and we can practice that skill in prep for the log.”

“You think we can pull it off?” The flashes of vulnerability he shows never fail to move me. I know the man beneath the out outgoing charmer.

“I know we can.” I squeeze his hand.

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