She shrugs, a blush creeping up her cheeks, but she can’t hold back the giddy smile. “Yeah. We were laughing about something totally ridiculous, and he suddenly said he loved me. He was so embarrassed, like it just slipped out.”
“Did you say it back?”
“No, not yet.” Lou cringes. “Is that awful? I didn’t want to say it when I’m not 100 percent sure.”
“If you’re not sure, then it’s good you didn’t say it. But ... wow ... he’sin lovewith you. That’s ... that’s amazing! AndI can’t believe I haven’t even met him yet.” I get a bag for her office treats and slide her receipt across the counter to her with her card. She gave us an even bigger tip than usual; she knows we’re struggling. I can’t let myself think about it too much, or I might cry.
“Well, if you’re okay with it, I’ll go ahead and invite him tomorrow. Then you can meet him. I really do want you to. I know I haven’t said I love him back yet, but Iamfalling for him. Hard.” The grin is back. If she were a cartoon, she’d have hearts in her eyes.
“Of course you can invite him. Nothing like meeting your future husband at my fake birthday party.” But I smile to let her know I’m teasing.
“It’ll be great, I promise. And remember—you’re choosing to be positive and assume you have a long time to live and stuff now, so that meanshappilycelebrating the day you got your new heart and your new lease on life. Who wouldn’t love havingtwobirthdays a year?”
“Now you sound like Talia.”
Lou smirks. “Where do you think I got all my info on your New Life Day?”
I groan as she grabs the bag of treats.
“Well, great job dodging my questions about Hunter—for now. But you can’t avoid me forever. I know where you live.” She points at me as she backs away. “I’ll pin you down.”
“I believe you.” I laugh as she waves and heads out the door.
But once she’s gone, I sag forward onto the counter. It’s not only having Farmor in the ICU, struggling to come out of a coma that makes me uncomfortable with the New Life Day party. Every year, I wish they wouldn’t do it. How can I celebrate my miracle with balloons and a cake and somehuge party when I know that somewhere else, another family is mourning tomorrow as the day they lost someone they love forever?
And now, with Hunter in my life, I’m afraid a party to celebrate my miracle will only remind him of his tragedy. I’ll never understand why God gives miracles to one person and not another.
The bell jingles again, and I plaster a smile on my face to help our customers. A few minutes later, Rebecca shows up, allowing me to go back and bake more of the goods we need on our shelves. It seems we’re always low on everything right now, constantly running to catch up.
Once I’m in the kitchen, I tie on an apron and get to work. Soon, I’ve lost myself in the soothing routine of baking. So much so that when the door to the kitchen opens, I don’t even glance up to see what Rebecca needs.
It’s a complete shock when firm, muscled arms come around me from behind. “I missed seeing you this morning,” Hunter says softly, his lips brushing the shell of my ear.
A thrill races down my throat to my stomach, every nerve in my body immediately on alert.
“I hope it’s okay that I came back here.”
“Of course,” I say, tremulous. “But you might get flour all over your very fancy outfit.”
“I don’t care about the flour.” He nuzzles his nose through my hair to the corner of my jaw, where he exhales softly, making the fine hairs of my neck stand on end, sending a current through my body. I lean back, into him.
His hands curve around my waist. “Have I mentioned I can’t stop thinking about you?”
“Mmm,” I hum, entirely preoccupied by his fingers toying with my shirt.
“Richard told me I need to get my head on straight because I’m distracted today.”
His mouth is so close to my skin I canfeelhis words.
“That’s ... unfortunate,” I manage. I’m boneless, barely able to stay standing when he presses a light kiss against my jaw. He pauses, his breath warm and tantalizing on my skin. A tiny sigh escapes when his fingertips skim my bare arms; my heart gallops in my chest.
Suddenly, he straightens, releases me, and steps back. I grip the edge of the counter to regain my equilibrium and will my heart rate to slow back down. “What ... why ... ?” I can barely form words, let alone a coherent thought.
“I’m trying to keep my promise to take it slow,” Hunter rasps.
I inhale and exhale twice to calm down before turning to face him. He stands only a few feet away, gripping the back of a folding chair, his hazel eyes darkened with the same desire still rushing through my blood.
“Liv—I’m sorry,” he says. “I promise I was only planning on giving you a hug.”
