“Look!” Her mom showed off the emerald bracelet. “It’s so beautiful.”
“You deserve it.” Her mom kissed her forehead.
“We love your animal bread, Ava! You’re so talented!” My mom embraced her, followed by my dad.
“Thank you,” Ava said, looking overwhelmed by the sudden arrival of family and friends.
Her cheerful friends entered, joining Kendra, who pulled out her phone to show them something.
“What are you guys doing here?” Ava walked over to Rhea, Layla, Jemma, and Deidre.
“We heard great things about the shop, so we decided to pop in.” Rhea smiled, looked over at me and winked. I’d asked for her help in inviting the girls here today.
After giving her friends a hug, Ava slid me a glance full of questions. She knew something was up when Bianca entered, greeted everyone, and flipped the open sign to closed.
“What is going on?”
Ava whirled to me to see me holding the tray of baked goods, and I said, “For you.”
“Oh my gosh.” Ava picked up the cat-shaped bread and read the notecard out loud. “I loaf you meow and forever.”
“I loaf you too,” I replied.
Our small audience giggled.
“Aren’t they cute?” Ava’s mom clasped her hands together, looking happy.
Ava placed the bread down and grabbed a muffin with marshmallow eyes. She smiled and read the card. “Muffin compares to your beautiful buns.”
“Sign me up for the X-rated baked goods!” Kendra raised her hand, laughing.
“Did you not see the big warning: DO NOT EAT?” Rhea exclaimed.
“Don’t eat it,” said my mother, who had tasted one bun earlier.
Everyone laughed, including Ava, who continued to review all the baked goods. Some looked decent and some needed a little imagination.
She turned to me with love in her eyes. “You’re so creative.”
“I learned from the best.”
Ava grabbed the card from the heart-shaped bread. “Love is what the heart kneads.” Tears glimmered in her eyes.
With my heart hammering in my chest, I dropped to one knee. “I love you, Ava. You’re the best bun in my bakery.”
Laughter filled the store like a sweet aroma. With gleaming eyes, Ava grinned and placed a hand on her heart.
“Will you give me the honor of baking happiness with you?” I said, knowing I sounded cheesy, but I didn’t care. Ava would appreciate it. “Will you marry me?” I pulled out the ring she had tried on and loved at Annette’s Jewelry.
“Yes, yes, yes—you silly and creative man!” she exclaimed.
I slid the gold ring with the solitaire diamond onto her finger and rose to a standing position.
She glanced at the ring, and more tears slid down her face. “It’s perfect, and it fits!” She threw her arms around me, kissed me, and veered back. “You planned all this?”
“He did!” the crowd announced together.
“He’s a keeper!” Rhea shouted.
