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“Little baker,go. Get your prize,” he whispers, nudging me to the front of the stage.
I get up there, barely holding back my happy tears because I feel like I’m on top of the world. I have an amazing daughter and a man who’s perfect for me. We’re all safe and sound, and I just won the opportunity of a lifetime.
I’m not sure life can get much better than this.
Epilogue
Noel
New Year's Eve is always better when you get to wear your first-place ribbon. Tomas, Ani, and I spent Christmas at his—sorry,our—cabin. Tomas is insisting we move in with him right away, but I want to take it slow.
We met up with my mom and Val to bring in the new year and decided to tell them an abridged version of events, minus him murdering someone. My brother wasn’t thrilled to welcome an ex-Russian mobster into the family at first, but once he saw how happy he made Ani and me, he changed his mind. He’s much more open-minded than he gives himself credit for.
My mom loves Tomas, which isn’t a surprise. She thinks he’s the perfect partner because of how serious and protective he is. She told me he’s just like the possessive, growly alpha heroes in her romance books.
I love Tomas too. He barreled into my life and changed it for the better.
“The ball is going to drop soon,” he tells me, pulling me out of the kitchen and toward the TV. He hands me a glass of champagne, and I watch the bubbles fizzle.
“Thank you…”
“For what?” he asks in that thick, sexy accent.
“For coming into my life. You were unexpected, but I’m so glad you’re part of our family now.”
He wraps me in his strong arms as we face the TV.
“Oh! The ball is gonna drop!!!” Val shouts.
We all count down from ten together. Halfway through, he breaks away from me, drops to one knee, and takes my hand in his.
“Malysh, I want to be with you for the rest of my life. The day I saw you in the bakery, I knew you were mine. We can raise Ani together, run the bakery, and have so many more moments like this. Make me the happiest man alive. Please say yes?”
Without even thinking, I know my answer. “Yes!”
I can’t say I’m stunned. Tomas moves a mile a minute, and I should have seen this coming. Ani jumps up and down, clapping her hands.
“Tom-Tom!” she screams, jumping into Tomas’ arms. “I can’t wait to watch cartoons together every Saturday morning!”
“This is so exciting!” Ma gushes.
My brother shakes Tomas’ hand, welcoming him to the family.
“Are you happy, my little baker?”
If you would have asked me this question a month ago, I would have said no. I was a single dad who struggled to balance everything. Who never thought he would find love.
“Yes, I am. I love you.”
Tomas kisses me, holding my face in both his hands. “I love you too.”
The End
