“Deal.”
A billionaire tech CEO was about to spend a week delivering cakes for me. And the weirdest part was how much I was looking forward to it.
18
GAGE
Inever thought I’d find comfort in driving a delivery van, but I couldn’t quite hide my smile as I pulled away after dropping off another round of cupcakes. When I offered to help Tessa a few days ago, I’d expected the job to be tedious. A punishment I’d volunteered for.
Instead, it was rewarding in unexpected ways. I became familiar with neighborhoods I’d never driven through before and talked to people I’d never have met otherwise. Delivering Tessa’s baked goods all over Westbridge allowed me to see my hometown in a new light.
Helping Tessa was well worth being tagged as the billionaire delivery guy in dozens of social media photos.
My next stop was no different.
The woman who ordered an elaborate cake for her granddaughter’s birthday opened her door with a smile. “Oh my goodness, it’s you. I was hoping you’d do my delivery but didn’t want to assume.”
“Happy to be of service.” I lifted the box higher. “Would you like me to bring this inside?”
She opened the door wider. “Yes, please.”
I followed her into the dining room and unboxed the cake so she didn’t have to handle it herself.
“You tell that baker she’s a blessing.” She patted my hand. “This cake is going to make my girl’s day.”
I walked away feeling lighter than I had in years. Every delivery was a reminder that Tessa’s cakes were moments of joy for her customers. I enjoyed being a part of that.
But my favorite delivery each day was when Tessa cleared out anything that hadn’t sold—which wasn’t much with how busy she was—and had me drop it all off at the community center. Everyone there appreciated the treats so much.
It got me thinking about the stuff other places around town threw away. Hale & Honey couldn’t be the only bakery who didn’t want to sell day-old items. Restaurants had meals that couldn’t be used the next day. Food at grocery stores often went past the sell-by date.
When the bakery was closed on Monday, I spent my day researching the logistics needed to get those unused resources into the hands of people who could use them most. The pieces came together faster than I expected.
After my last delivery on Tuesday, I sat in the van and stared at my notes. For the first time since Rupert reclaimed the CEO role, I felt purpose again. Not the kind that came with a title or a corner office. This was about doing something good just because it was right.
I drove back to Hale & Honey, parked in the back lot, and walked in through the employee door. Tessa was in the kitchen finishing a custom order. She looked up when I stepped inside, her face lighting up in a way that stole my breath more than ever because I’d learned what it was like to live without her.
She moved to the sink and rinsed off her hands before taking off her apron. “You’re back early.”
“Last delivery was close by.” I leaned against the doorframe. “And I wanted to talk to you about something.”
She grinned. “Were you planning to ask me if there’s something else you can help with around here now that Tony is ready to come back?”
“Nope.” Although it was tempting to come up with a good excuse to spend every day with her.
She tilted her head. “What is it, then?”
“I’ve been thinking about all the stuff that goes to waste at local bakeries, restaurants, and grocery stores.” I’d remained steady during multi-million-dollar deals, but my hands shook a little as I pulled out my phone and showed her my notes. “Shelters and community centers are always short on food. I want to fix that.”
She stepped closer to peer at the screen. “A nonprofit?”
“Yeah, with coordinated pickups and real-time alerts so businesses can donate what they have before it spoils. Grants, tax credits—whatever it takes to make it sustainable.” I looked at her. “I want to build something that matters.”
“No more big-shot CEO?”
I thought about my answer because I wanted to be completely honest with Tessa. “Maybe someday I’ll step back into that role when Rupert is truly ready to step down. But I’m in no rush, and I want to make my mark on our community until then.”
Her eyes softened, and she stretched up to kiss me. I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her against me. When she twined her arms around my shoulders and jumped up to wrap her legs around my waist, I slid my hands under her ass to hold her in place. Then I carried her into her office and over to the couch.
