“Hey, hey, slow down for a second!”Matthew calls out from right behind me.
His hands land on my shoulders, stopping my frantic escape and turning me around to face him.
I stand there on the sidewalk, my eyes darting around, welling up with tears, gasping for air that won’t come.My hand flies to my chest, pressing down on my wildly beating heart.
“I did it,” I whisper, the words a hoarse, ragged croak.
Tears of overwhelming relief start streaming down my face as I turn my gaze up to meet his.“I did it, Matt.”My voice breaks as I cover my mouth, smothering a heartfelt sob of triumph.“I’m finally free.”
The words are barely out of my mouth before a joyous, booming laugh erupts from Matthew.A sound of unrestrained relief.He closes the distance between us in a single step, his arms wrapping around my waist.He lifts me effortlessly off my feet, spinning me around in one exuberant circle.A shriek of surprised laughter bursts from me, mixing with my happy tears.
For a dizzying second, the world is a blur of blue sky and Matthew’s beaming face.
He sets me back down and pulls me flush to his chest, his hands framing my face, his expression one of complete adoration.
The laughter fades from his face, replaced by a much deeper, more reverent sentiment.“I am in awe of you, Amy Beckett.”
The warmth of his words expands in my chest, a love so fierce it could swallow me whole.
I thread my fingers through his thick hair and pull his mouth down to mine.
A kiss of victory.
Of celebration.
Of two people who have found the light in each other.
“Let’s get out of here,” Matthew murmurs against my lips, wrapping an arm securely around my shoulder as we walk to his car.
Every couple of steps, he flexes his arm, pulling me closer to press a kiss to my temple, making me laugh all over again as I snuggle into his side.
Our hands remain joined, fingers interlaced, and resting on the center console the entire drive to Maddy’s Place.When Matthew pulls up in front of the café, he turns to me, his eyes emanating a happy light.“What time am I picking you up tonight?”
“Seven, please,” I reply, my heart fluttering.
“Seven it is,” he confirms.Then he hesitates, a playful smile spreading across his lips.“Just don’t go disappearing on me this time,” he says, his eyes dancing with mirth.
A warm laugh bubbles out of me.“Oh, believe me.I’m not going anywhere,” I say, leaning over to kiss him.
“Perfect,” he whispers, kissing me one more time.
With one last smile, I get out of the car and practically float to my café, feeling lighter than I have in years.
A happy, productive energy carries me through the day.Every latte I make, every customer I laugh with, every task I complete is underscored by a quiet, joyful hum of anticipation for seven o’clock.
After our closing duties are complete, Helen shrugs into her coat and grabs her purse, giving me a sly, knowing grin.“So,” she says, her eyes twinkling.“When’s Prince Charming getting here to whisk you away?”
A happy blush warms my cheeks.“Any minute now.”
“Ames, the man looks like he stepped out of a fairytale, and he treats you like a queen.”She shrugs with that mischievous smile of hers.“If the shoe fits,mija…porque no?”
“You’re unbelievable.”I giggle.
“I’m right,” she corrects with a wink.
She walks to the door, then turns back, her expression softening into one of genuine affection.“Have a good night, Ames.It’s really good to see you happy again.”
“Thank you, Helen,” I reply, my heart full.
