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I gave him a brilliant smile and answered, “Yes, things are great.”
He met my smile with one of his own and kissed me soundly on the lips. “You taste like sugar,” he murmured as he pulled away.
“One of the hazards of working in a bakery,” I replied cheekily.
Scott leaned his forehead against mine and whispered happily, “The opening is going better than I’d hoped. Brandt told TJ that he has four vintage cars in his fleet that he’d like TJ to rebuild. I thought TJ was going to have a heart attack on the spot!”
“That’s wonderful,” I replied, thinking Carson Brandt seemed sweeter every time I met him. It was obvious that he meant a lot to Scott, and I was happy to see that Scott seemed to mean a lot to him also.
“I’m going to go see if the guys need anything. You good?” Scott asked, brushing his lips against my forehead briefly.
“Yeah,” I responded with a smile. “I’ll just make sure everything is good here, then I’ll go find the guys to congratulate them.”
People started to realize the desserts were ready, and the table got sl
ammed before I could go say anything to TJ or Cal. I’d see them later, so I focused on ensuring their guests were happy and their bellies were full.
I was down to the last cupcake when Mr. Brandt walked up and said, “I hope you saved that one for me.”
“Hello, Mr. Brandt,” I began, stopping when the teasing smile dropped from his face and he frowned at me. “I mean … Carson.” The smile came back and I handed him the cupcake. I was so happy that things were going well for my friends and I felt I knew him well enough to say so, so I kept talking. “Thank you so much for the business that you’re giving TJ and Cal. I know it means the world to them, and you won’t be sorry. They’re the best at what they do.”
Mr. Brandt smiled at my gushing. I mean really smiled, not just the teasing of a moment before. The effect was amazing, and I could have sworn that I heard Suzy whimper behind me.
“It’s my pleasure, Gabriella. And I would have offered them the job even without the connection with Scott. Especially after I saw TJ’s work with the Chevelle outside. As a self-made businessman, I appreciate people who work hard to get what they want. No matter what the business. I have no patience for slackers or whiners. I’m happy to give business to people that I know are going to work hard to maintain my business.” I grinned at his assessment of my friends, and was proud that he saw them that way. “Thanks for the cupcake,” he added before leaving the table.
“I’m having heart palpitations,” Suzy said from behind me, causing me to laugh loudly. I was really beginning to enjoy having her around.
“Do you think you’ll survive a little longer? I’m going to go congratulate my friends, then I’ll be back to help you clean up.”
At her nod, I walked through the garage and around the side. I didn’t see my friend amidst the dwindling crown, then I heard my name being called. Scott jogged over to me from the main office building and said, “Hey, we were looking for you. The guys wanted a private celebration real quick, before you pack up.”
“Okay,” I said, placing my hand in his offered one.
“Cal asked if we’d want to come over later tonight, and really celebrate the opening.”
“Sounds good,” I replied as we walked into the main office.
Cal, Shelly, Sasha, and TJ were all inside when we walked in. Cal was talking, his voice full of excitement, as Sasha poured champagne into glasses. Scott shut the door behind us, and as I walked over to Sasha, I noticed TJ looking like he was going to be sick off to the side of the table.
“Are you okay?” I asked, detouring to make sure he was.
TJ looked up at me, as if startled to see me, then he broke into an earthshattering smile. “You’re here.”
I stopped, taken aback and confused as to why he’d be so happy to see me, but before I could ask, he walked into the middle of the group and began to talk. I grabbed a champagne flute from Sasha, and turned to listen.
“Everyone is here now, so if I could have your attention for a moment,” TJ began. He looked handsome in his suit, rather than his normal uniform, the sparkle in his eyes making him more so. “First of all, I have to say thank you to Cal, my brother, for coming up with the idea for this place, and making it happen. You’re giving me the opportunity to do what I love, and make a living at it, and that means the world to me. Thanks to Scott, for being our silent, but there’s no way we could do it without you, partner. And to Shelly, the heart of this place, and of our group, thanks for supporting us in this venture. Gabs, without you, this group would be filled with cynics and naysayers. You always have our backs, and give us your optimism, when we need it. And finally, Sasha.”
TJ turned to her, and the mood of the room shifted. It’s almost as if Sasha could tell something had changed, because she set her glass down and moved closer to TJ. She stopped when he continued, “Red … thanks for not only being our partner in this business, but my partner in life. We may not look like a match on paper, the girl who had everything, and the boy who came from nothing, but anyone who knows us, knows that we’re perfect for each other. I’ve never been happier than I was the morning you crawled into my bed.” Sasha laughed through the tears that began to fall down her face. “For more reasons than one … You’re the sexiest woman I’ve ever seen in my life, and although you’re flashy perfection on the outside, it’s the gooey mess on the inside that I love the most.”
TJ got down on one knee, causing Shelly and I to gasp, and pulled out a small blue box. He flipped the lid and continued, “I promise to dissect all John Hughes movies with you. To hold your hair when you’re sick, and wipe your face when you’re crying. I promise to take you to the ocean, lakes, rivers, and any other body of water you want, until I can buy you a house on one. And I promise to love you fiercely, and with all of my heart, until my last breath.” The room was silent, except for the catching sound of sobs, until TJ finished with, “Will you marry me, Red?”
Sasha fell to her knees in front of him, nodding because she was unable to speak, and as promised, TJ wiped the tears from her cheeks before she fell into his arms.
I turned into Scott’s arms, hugging him tightly as I cried tears of joy.
I heard Shelly yell her congratulations and I let Scott go so that I could go and congratulate my friends.
“Thanks for letting us be here for this,” I cried as I squeezed TJ to me. “That was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard.”
