“Is it bad that I want to skip the last two stops and just go back to the hotel so I can show you just how much I love you?” I rumble into her ear, earning a full body shiver.
“Nope. Because I’m tempted to do the same. But there’s something to be said for anticipation,” comes her breathless whisper just before she stands up and starts to walk toward the car that has driven us around all afternoon. Her beauty stuns me for a second, but then she turns to look over her shoulder and stretches her arm out.
That’s when I know for certain. I’ll follow this woman anywhere.
Chapter 21
Mila
We did it Mom.
My fingers run along the stainless steel counter, lined with containers ready to be filled with items for custom sandwiches. The display cases are empty but the glass sparkles with the light overhead. The entire café space is decorated in boho chic — comfortable, casual, and cozy, and different enough from the bakery side to stand out but still connected in colour scheme. Paige came through as my decorating pro, and I’m absolutely in love with how it turned out.
“This is incredible, babe.” Jackson’s arms come around me from behind and I let myself fall back against his chest.
“I can’t believe it opens this weekend.”
“I can. You’re amazing, and you’ve worked so damn hard. Dogwood Cove’s lunch scene will never be the same.”
His comment is partly teasing, but I hope he’s right. That was Mom’s dream, and now all I can do is pray I do it justice. An incoming text on my phone beeps and interrupts my internal panic. It’s my group chat with the girls, which means several more beeps immediately follow. Jackson chuckles and steps back to let me read them.
SERENA: Just checking in to make sure Summer and Mila are still coming tonight…Just because you two are getting the D on the regular doesn’t mean you get to abandon us single ladies.
PAIGE: Does anyone really call it the D?
SERENA: Those of us who aren’t getting any do.
SUMMER: Of course I’ll be there. It’s book club AND we’re celebrating Mila opening the café this weekend.
SERENA: I’ve got crab dip ready to go, and three bottles of wine chilling. Shit, should I grab more?
SUMMER: Nah, I’ll bring some.
MILA: Guys. Of course I’ll be there. And three bottles sounds like it should be enough, doesn’t it?
PAIGE: Says the girl who went on a fancy wine tour last week.
MILA: Yeah…good point. Get more.
I internally swoon, remembering my trip with Jackson. When he said he loved me, it felt like he held the key to my heart, and he finally unlocked it.
SERENA: Okay. Enough mushy stuff. See you guys at my place tonight!!!!!!
“What has you smiling so widely?”
I glance up at my man, the reason for my smile. “Stuff and things,” I tease, sliding my hands around his waist and into his back pockets so I can give his ass a gentle squeeze. He chuckles and puts his hands on my shoulders.
“Okay, be mysterious. I have ways of getting you to talk later.” He lowers his eyes suggestively and I giggle.
“I’ll try to resist,” I tease.
He drops a kiss to my nose. “Am I picking you up from Serena’s or are you walking home?”
“That depends on how much wine we have.”
His deep chuckle is followed by a squeeze of his hands. “I’ll pick you up.” I get one more kiss, and then Jackson turns and heads out the door. With the bakery closed for the day, I’m alone. I wander over to one of the big comfy chairs positioned by the window with a bistro table close by and sink down into it. My eyes roam over the space and another wave of gratitude mixed with disbelief and pride washes over me.
A year ago, this was nothing more than a nebulous goal, with no timeframe or thought-out plan attached to it. Now, thanks to my brother and my friends, it’s a reality. I don’t regret how hard I’ve worked or the sacrifices I’ve made to get here, not for a second.
