“That was different!” she argued.
“How?” he asked, eyes blazing. “Why is it so easy for you to be selfless but so hard to let others be selfless for you?”
She blinked, his words sinking in. Her heart softened. “But—”
“Enough!” Anh said, annoyed now. “There is a simple and obvious solution. Frankly, I cannot believe neither of you have realized it.”
“What?” Luke asked, confused.
Anh rolled her eyes. “My idea from the very beginning,” she said, impatient with them now. “I’m fond of you both, so I’ll forgive how much you’ve irritated me this past week.”
“What idea?” Emmeline asked, not catching on to what Anh was saying.
Anh released a long breath. “The two of you should consolidate your businesses into one,” she said. “Your products are similar enough, and such a step would surely increase profit margins.”
Emmeline blinked, struck by the realization. They could work together. Nobody had to lose; they could both win.
“Why didn’t I think of that?” she asked, mouth hanging open.
Anh’s lips quirked. “Because love makes you stupid.”
Emmeline looked over at Luke. “What do you think?” she asked, standing up. She walked around the meeting table. “Think we can be partners instead of rivals?”
He smiled, meeting her halfway. “I’d love to be your partner.”
Anh clapped her hands. “Wonderful!” She stood, smoothing out her skirt. “That’s settled then. You’ll both work on the coffee shop, and I’ll invest in your joint venture.”
“Wait,” Emmeline said, confused. “Don’t you want to see our plans first?”
Anh released a breath, heading for the door. “No,” she said. “We can discuss details in another meeting. I’ve had enough of you two for this week.” Emmeline’s cheeks warmed, and Anh gave them a final glance over her shoulder, her expression stern. “Now make up already and kiss. You’ll be much more bearable afterwards.”
With that final order, Anh left. Emmeline’s heartbeat quickened as she turned to Luke.
“You heard her,” she said.
He grinned and pulled her into his arms.
Epilogue
It was the beginning of December, and Luke was waiting.
He had planned everything out, but there was one thing he couldn’t plan. So he checked the weather and waited, holding onto the secret. He wanted to tell Emmeline about his plans almost every day—it was impossible keeping anything from her—but he knew the surprise would be worth it.
And then, on the seventh, the thing he was waiting for arrived.
The season’s first snow.
Today was the day.
He looked out the window from his office at the new roasting plant, where dragons and chimeras both roasted different blends of coffee for Inferno after the acquisition of Tempest and a hefty investment from Anh. It had all worked out in the end. Inferno was flourishing; Tempest had been saved from ruin; and Emmeline had been able to realize her plans of expanding the company’s distribution across Starshine Valley and beyond.
Outside, the sky was marbled gray and white with clouds. The weather forecast predicted a one hundred percent chance of snow later that evening, and the sky seemed to confirm it. He’d been watching the weather all day.
Around five o’clock, when the work day was ending, Luke pulled out his phone, calling Minh. His gaze strayed to the door of his office, hoping his boss wouldn’t come in and interrupt. While he loved working with Emmeline, it was decidedly difficult to keep anything from her when they worked in the same building and lived in the same cottage.
He had been carrying around a little box every day for the past week in his inside pocket for that same reason. Her hands were always exploring his body, and he knew she’d spot the box if it was in any of his pant pockets.
“Luke, hello,” Minh said, picking up. “Is today finally the day?”
