“And if you take that job, if that's what you really want? I'll come with you. Find work in the city.”
“I don't want the job,” she whispers.
“What?”
“I want to stay. To work here and help Dad. Most of all, to be with you. I just thought... maybe you didn't want me to.”
I pull her against me. She fits perfectly. “I've wanted you since I was in high school. I'm done with bad timing.”
She pulls back enough to look up. “So we're doing this?”
“We sure are.” I lean down, stopping before our lips meet. “I love you. I should've said it this morning.”
“I love you too.” She presses her lips against mine and I’m lost.
The bell jingles. Of course.
“Finally!” Avery shrieks. “Wait, wait. I need to document this.” She gets out her phone.
“Avery,” Noelle warns.
“This is social media gold. 'Local idiots finally realize they're in love.' Million views, easy.”
I look down at Noelle. Her eyes are bright with laughter.
“Let her. I wanteveryoneto know you're mine.”
“Yours?”
“All mine,” I kiss her again.
Better late than never.
EPILOGUE – NOELLE
One year later, the week before Christmas
“Behind you!” Dad calls, balancing a tray piled high with Christmas Dinner Melts.
Jolly’s is packed. Every booth’s full and there’s a line out the door. The air smells like toasted bread, cranberry chutney, and Christmas magic.
“Order up!” Three plates slide across the pass. Liz, our new server, snags them like she was born doing it.
The kitchen hums. The new broiler works like a dream, the wiring doesn’t threaten to burn down the building, and the shiny ventilation hood actuallyvents.Gabriel did most of it himself, with Clarence supervising.
Speaking of Gabriel...
Strong arms wrap around my waist from behind, pulling me against his broad chest.
“You’re not supposed to be in the kitchen during service,” I scold, though I’m already melting back into him. He kisses that spot behind my ear that makes me forget how words work.
“Breaking rules is kind of my thing. Also, I have news.”
“Good or bad?”
He hesitates. “Depends how you feel about forty people coming over on Christmas Eve Eve.”
I spin around. “What did you do?”
