“That went first.” He laughs. “This town can’t get enough of your cooking. We’re going to have to start prepping more.
“Wow. I thought there was plenty left. Give me a sec and I’ll whip up some berries and cream or something.”
“Good idea. I think we have some lady fingers we can add.”
Wiping the sweat from my brow with the back of my hand, I look at the clock. Only a few more hours and I can go home, have a nice soak in the tub with a glass of wine, and hopefully a foot rub from my man. Biting down on my lower lip, I can’t help but inwardly groan at the tempting thought.
As if he’s read my mind, my phone buzzes in my back pocket. Seeing his name light up on the screen, I decide to put my wishes out there. He’s had the day off from the station and spent the day fishing with Jason and Dave. The least he can do is massage my poor overworked feet. Heck, it’ll be easier if he gets in the tub with me. I giggle.
Yet as I focus on his message, my face falls.
8:45 p.m.
Matt:Hey babe. I’m going to catch a beer with the guys tonight. I know you’ve had a long day. Don’t wait up.
What?
Matt works hard. His twenty-four-hour shifts are long and unpredictable. He deserves to spend his days off however he chooses. I’m simply feeling prickly because I rose with the sun and have been working all day without much of a break. Like most days when you run your own business.
Placing my phone onto the counter, I rub small circles with my palm over the center of my chest. But this is more than being overworked and I know it. The worry that our relationship has become too comfortable is niggling at me again.
Shaking my head, I move into the pantry to grab what I need to make dessert for the remaining patrons dining with us tonight. Tapping the pad of my finger against my lower lip, I try to focus on something tangible so my fears won’t run away with me. Gathering some white chocolate to shave over the top of the berries and whipped cream, I grab the luscious lady fingers, turn toward the kitchen island, and get to work. Placing the oblong spongy cakes in the bottom of the serving dish, I carefully spoon blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries on top before adding fresh whipped cream and chocolate. The sweetness will be the perfect juxtaposition to the tart fruit.
“Umm, that looks good.”
I nearly jump ten feet in the air at the feel and sound of Matt’s voice against my ear. “Jeez, Matt. You nearly gave me a heart attack. What are you doing here? I thought you—” Spinning to face him, still shocked he’s here after his text, I’m floored when I see he’s holding a bouquet of pink peonies. My hands fly to my face before I realize whipped cream is dangling from the tips of my fingers. “What are you doing here?”
Matt chuckles. Leaning forward, he kisses my nose before licking each of the dots of white cream from my face. “I wanted to surprise you. You’ve worked hard all day. There’s no way I was going to spend my night with anyone else.”
A tear I hadn’t realized I’d been trying to suppress decides to make its entrance into our conversation.
“Babe. What’s wrong?”
“I’m sorry. Ignore me. I’m just tired.”
The look of unease on his face tells me he’s not buying this. And what the hell, Ellie? You’re a strong, tough girl. You haven’t minced words with him before. Why start now? “I think it worried me last night.” A sniffle escapes. “When your brother announced his engagement.” I do a quick inspection of my hands before dabbing away any remaining tears. “That we’d gotten too relaxed in our lifestyle. Like an old married couple.” I pause. “Without the married.”
Matt squats down to make sure we’re at eye level. “Ellie, you know there’s nothing I want more than to marry you, right? Starting this business is a big deal. And while I try to support you around my fire schedule, you’re the heart and soul of this place.” He places a chaste kiss on my lips before swiping the last of the moisture from my cheek. “We could get hitched at the courthouse tomorrow. But I want you to have the wedding of your dreams.”
I throw my arms around him, pushing my face into the curve of his neck. His reassurance is all I need right now. “There’s no hurry. We just hadn’t talked about it in so long… well, I… I wondered if I missed my chance.”
“Ellie Albright, don’t you waste another second worrying about that. I’ve already tried twice.” He laughs.
Placing my hands flat on his solid chest, I push back in amazement, my mouth ajar.
“Yeah. The first time I had the ring in my pocket when Alex proposed to Tuesday. I kept trying to be happy for them, even though they stole my thunder.” He nods to the flowers wrapped in Cygnature Blooms floral paper and gold ribbon. “Tuesday says hi, by the way.”
My eyes spring wide at his confession as Chuck comes into the kitchen reaching for the freshly prepared dessert.
“Then a few months later, I decided to do it here.” He turns to glare at Chuck.
What is that about?
“But this guy had to go down on one knee asking Barb the same damn night.”
“Sorry, man.” He grimaces before turning with the dessert in his hands and making his way toward the pretty dessert plates.
“Matt. I had no idea,” I say reaching out for him.
