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“And be cast out of the family business? Are you kidding me?” Grace laughed because it was truly unthinkable.
“But you’ll always be part of your family, right?” Kate asked. “You’ll just be doing the thing that makes you happy.”
The thing that makes you happy.
Oh.
Grace’s heart heaved. It was a wrenching so great she could feel the organ rip from the roots. A yearning took hold, so powerful she had to close her eyes and breathe. She could never leave her family, but the message hit deep. “You’re right.” It came out a whisper. “I should definitely be doing the thing that makes me the happiest.” How had she not seen that before?
When she got home, she’d find a way to sell her pastries. She’d talk to her mom. Maybe they could have a separate rack in the bakery for her specialty items.
Yes. This is good.
This is so good.
It wasn’t a date. She knew that.
Then why did she have the jitters? And why did she keep checking herself in the mirror?
Jaime said he’d pick her up after getting Kinsley ready for bed. Since the entire family would be at the ball, he’d hired a sitter. He didn’t seem to trust anybody with his little girl, because he left nothing for the sitter to do other than read to her until she fell asleep.
Now, Grace waited. She’d never worn a ball gown or this much makeup, and the high-heeled sandals pinched her toes—which was to be expected since she was used to wearing chef clogs— but she loved it and couldn’t remember the last time she’d been this excited.
Strangely, not even for her own wedding. Now that she had some distance, she could see the event had been nothing but business for her—organizing, planning, and setting up the yard. It had never been about marrying the love of her life.
That’s because Ian isn’t the love of my life.
Whoa.
What a crazy thought.I was going to marry a good friend.
Because, really, when was the last time her stomach had fluttered around him? How many times had she seen his name pop up on her phone and ignored it to finish talking to someone or run an errand?
Yeah, too many times.
Tonight was the first bit of romance she’d had in ages.
Not that it was adate. Jaime had made that clear.
I’ll be busy helping my mom.
You might get bored.
The hotel has a driver, so feel free to leave early.
Message received loud and clear, buddy.
Why did he feel the need to even say those things? She might be attracted to him, but she’d never flirted. He was one of the groomsmen at her weddingtwo days ago.
It’s not like I’m looking to date. Jeez.
It was fun to play Cinderella, but she wouldn’t be losing a glass slipper tonight.
I’d need a prince for that.
Headlights flashed, and tires crunched on gravel. Grace checked the mirror one last time before grabbing the clutch Kate had loaned her and heading out the door.
He was just getting out of a black SUV, and the sight of that gorgeous, rugged man in a tuxedo caused her to lose her step. Since she’d tripped over nothing, it made her burst out laughing. “As you can see, I don’t dress up much. Anything more than a two-inch heel, and it’s like trying to stand still on a buoy.”
