“Thanks, Mom,” I whisper, blinking back the tears and squeezing her tight before letting her go.
Meaghan comes over and pulls her away to introduce her to some of her friends. Over the summer, she asked me if she could call my mom when she was ready so they could get to know one another. They’ve been talking weekly for the past month, and I love that my mom has made a new friend.
Miles comes up with Ryder and Travis, their families, by their side. I give Max a big hug as he grins widely and tells me congratulations. We got to know each other this summer, and I just adore him to pieces.
I glimpse Ryland’s auburn curls as she runs around, and is the center of attention for Meaghan and her friends. She’s talking a lot more now, and her personality has us all laughing most days. She’s fiercely independent and has all the Montgomery brothers wrapped around her little finger.
Jake takes Mason from Ryder’s arms, and his chubby arms wrap around his neck as I lean over and kiss his cheek, causing him to giggle.
“And then there was one,” Savi grins at Miles.
“The best is always saved for last,” he winks at her, and she rolls her eyes.
Someone comes by with a tray of champagne, and we all take a glass. Travis hands Sophia water instead as he puts his arm around her waist, rubbing her barely there baby bump. They found out at the end of the summer that they were expecting. Her friend Bella is just a couple of weeks behind her, so the two of them are over the moon that they get to go through this together. They told me all about their plan over the fourth when Sophia’s friends came to visit for the weekend. Little did they know it would happen shortly after.
“I have a toast I want to make.” I raise my glass, and the chatter dies down as all eyes go on me. I’ve always hated public speaking and I start to regret my impulsive decision until I feel Jake’s arm come around my waist. His presence immediately calms me, and I silently thank him with a smile. He squeezes my hip, and I take a deep breath.
“Most of you know how Jake and I met. We literally ran into each other in the hallway while I was working, and I ended up wearing my desserts. I was mad at first because my whole tray was on the floor, and I assumed this stranger would just apologize and move on, not realizing how important this night was to me. But he proved me wrong.”
I smile at Jake, and he winks at me.
“He did the opposite of what I thought a guy would do. He wanted to give me his shirt because he ruined mine. He knew, without me even telling him, what I needed to make it through the night. He didn’t stop there…he became my best friend and someone I could depend on and trust.”
I see Meaghan wipe her eyes as she smiles at us.
“Love was the last thing I wanted or trusted to have in my life, but he never gave up on me, and just being around him and feeling the things he made me feel made me want what I thought I would never have. He showed me what it truly means to be loved by someone, and I fell deeply in love with him.”
I turn to him, and he kisses me briefly on the forehead.
“I can’t thank everyone enough for being here tonight and celebrating this special night with us. We love you all so much, and I can’t wait to become Lyla Montgomery,” I grin before his mouth comes crashing down on mine. Laughing at the whistles, we break away and raise our glasses.
“To friends, family, and love,” I say as everyone joins in to toast.
EPILOGUE
LYLA
One year later…
I smileat the last customer of the day as they leave. Flipping the sign toclosed, I lock up for the night.
It’s been ten months since my grand opening, and this town has welcomed me with open arms. I’ve hired on staff, and I’m quickly becoming known as the place to go for sweets.
Walking around the counter, I head to the back kitchen and smile when my mom looks up from mixing a bowl of batter. Her hair is tied up, and her cheeks are dusted with flour.
Shortly after we got engaged, we found her a small apartment within walking distance from the bakery. When she asked if she could bake with me on days I needed help, I immediately took her up on the offer. She’s become my right-hand person at the bakery, working side by side with me almost every day.
She’ll never fully get over losing my father, but she’s learned to live with the grief…she’s learned to be happy again.
She grins at me and glances at the clock. “Is it time?”
“It’s time,” I grin, hitting the playlist as the music comes on through the speakers Jake installed for us.
Laughing, we start dancing as we prepare for tomorrow’s morning rush like we have done every day since I’ve opened. It’s become our routine after we close up, and it’s not uncommon for Eve to walk down fromRyder’s Restoresto join us with a bottle of wine or for Jake to swing by and twirl us around when he gets off work early.
It’s our hour a day for my mom to keep her promise and to celebrate the life she and my dad had together and the life we have now.
When the last of the prep is ready for the early morning shift, we say our goodbyes. Since Jake still has another hour with his client, I head home for the night.
