Mabel Kentwood’s Jewel Honey Infusion.
Not treasure.
Legacy.
In this moment, the question of what comes next doesn’t feel heavy.
It feels sweet.
Itissweet.
And suddenly, that sweetness doesn’t belong just to the jar.
I look up from the table and really see them, standing there with me, honey on their hands and patience in their posture and quiet pride softening their faces like this mattered to them too.
Not the recipe.
Me.
Emotion swells so fast it makes my chest ache.
“I…” I start, then stop, because the words pile up all at once and trip over each other. I press my palm flat to the table, grounding myself. “I need to say something.”
All three of them still.
“I don’t think I could’ve done this alone,” I say honestly. “Not found it. Not opened it. And definitely not made it.” I gesture helplessly at the jar.
Wyatt’s gaze is soft. Marshall’s jaw tightens a fraction. Jesse’s grin fades into something quieter, more real.
“That matters,” I continue, my words wobbling despite my best efforts. “Right now…thismatters more to me than the mystery, or the legacy, or what comes next.” I swallow. “You matter more.”
I don’t overthink it.
I step forward and kiss Jesse first. Quick and soft, right on the corner of his mouth. He freezes. I’ve just rebooted his entire operating system.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
Then I turn to Marshall. He’s already lowered himself a little, like he knew I’d need the space.
I press a kiss to his cheek, just long enough to feel his breath hitch.
“For staying steady,” I murmur.
Then Wyatt.
He doesn’t move at all. Just waits.
I cup his face with sticky fingers and kiss him gently, right on the mouth. It’s soft and careful and somehow says “I see you” without needing words.
“For watching,” I breathe.
When I step back, my heart is pounding so hard I’m sure they can hear it.
“I care about all of you,” I say, the truth tumbling out now that the seal is broken. “More than I meant to. More than I expected. And I don’t know what this looks like yet, but I know I don’t want to pretend it’s not real.”
Silence stretches.
Then Jesse lets out a shaky laugh. “Well. That explains a lot.”
