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“We just guessed that Alana wouldn’t have time to cook with all the moving going on tonight,” Noelle says.
“You guessed right.” I laugh, taking in the chaotic scene.
Noelle turns to me and grabs my cheeks in her hands. “God—I’m so happy to have you back. The original gang is back!” She tackles me in a hug and we vigorously rock each other from side to side.
“Hey, we wanna be part of the gang, too!” Emma whines.
Meghan piles on. So do Emma, Nadia and Nicky. And then the guys join in. Soon, everyone is laughing and suffocating in our group huddle.
I may not be blood, but this is my family. The Westbrooks have been in my life for more than half of my existence. These boys—these guys I consider my own brothers—were just kids when Davis and I started dating. And now they’re all grown up and starting families of their own.
I may still struggle with my connection to my own screwed up family, but I’m starting to see that it doesn’t matter.I love my family, don’t get me wrong. But I’m a Westbrook. In every way that matters.
Moments later, I see Davis standing at a distance, staring at his parents as they love all over each other.
I go up to him, holding out a paper plate filled with pizza.“You okay, darling?” I ask quietly by his ear.
“It’s still weird to see them together, considering they’re divorced,” he whispers back. “But you wouldn’t guess it lately. They look so happy.”
I laugh. “Um, are you forgetting that we’re divorced, too?”
His eyebrow lifts with wicked intent. “Not for long, Princess.”
And my heart is fluttering again.
I reach up on my toes, pressing a kiss to his scratchy jaw. “I love you too much.”
He vigorously shakes his head and kisses me back. “I love you, too. And there’s no such thing as too much.”
Everyone crowds into our living room, some sitting on furniture. Some on boxes. Some on the floor. Some on a warm lap. We pig out on pizza and beer, while happy conversation and laughter buzzes from every corner.
Geez. I missed this.
I’m in the kitchen, throwing away stacks of greasy paper plates, when Grammy stands up in the middle of the commotion. “Listen here, everybody. I have a surprise announcement to make.”
All eyes go to Grammy and I can sense a note of tension spread over the room.
“You know how much the bakery means to me and how important it is for me to leave a legacy to pass down to the next generation of Westbrooks,” she begins. “You’re all getting married and starting your own families now, and I’m starting to see how your dedication to the bakery is beginning to take a toll on your own lives. You’re planning weddings.” She looks at Cash. “And raising babies.” She looks at Jasper. “And building demanding professional careers.” Her eyes move to Harry. “And some of you are trying to figure out what’s next in life.” She gives Mason a kind smile. “The bakery was always supposed to be a gift to you. Not a burden.”
“It’s not a burden, Grammy,” Harry pipes up. “We love The Wildberry. And you.”
A heavy breath leaves her. “I know that. But I’ve been starting to think about my options. I’ve had discussions with Nadia and…I’ve decided to hire a complete kitchen staff. So you can all focus on your lives and not feel obligated to worry about the bakery.”
Davis frowns. “But what about the recipes? You’ve always wanted to protect them.”
Grammy nods. “And I will.”
Nadia flips into lawyer mode and explains. “I’ve drafted some iron-clad non-disclosure agreements for any future staff of the bakery. And we’ll have a strict vetting process to make sure we only hire the most trustworthy people. I’ll be personally overseeing that.”
Grammy lays a hand on Nadia’s arm. “Beyond that, my ultimate priority is making sure you all live full and happy lives. And if that means that one or two of the recipes get copied in the process, that’s a risk I’m willing to take. Your happiness is more important than my recipes.”
Cash looks skeptical. “Yeah. I think we need some time to think about this.”
Nadia bobs her head. “It’s a big decision. No need to rush the process at all.”
Everyone seems to agree.
Chatter rises up in the room until Noelle and Luther stand, hand in hand.
