Page 118 of Frosted Fakes

Elliott turned to look at her with a look of pure surprise. "You won't be."

"You don't know that." Julia's voice was smaller than she wanted it to be. "What if I've been wrong this whole time? What if I only thought I wanted to be a nurse because it was the opposite of what my mother wanted? What if I get there and I'm hopeless and everyone realizes I'm a fraud and—"

"Julia."

"—I should have just stayed at the bakery, at least there I only set things on fire occasionally."

"Julia." Elliott's hands found her shoulders, turning her gently. "I watched you save Milly's life. I watched you talk down a complete stranger from a panic attack in the middle of a crowded room. I've seen you with customers, with Tom, with everyone. You know how to make people feel safe. That's not something you can fake."

Julia's eyes were stinging. "What if it's not enough?"

"It's enough." Elliott's voice was certain. "You were born for this. I've never been more sure of anything."

Julia sniffed. "You're being suspiciously nice to me."

"Don't get used to it."

"Too late."

Elliott's mouth quirked. She dropped her hands from Julia's shoulders and turned back to the view, leaning on the railing. "It's going to be strange. The bakery without you."

"You'll have Tom."

"Tom's starting pastry school. He'll be part-time at best." Elliott shrugged. "But we'll manage. We always do."

Julia studied her profile. The sharp line of her jaw. The way the city lights caught in her dark eyes. "It's going to be incredible, you know. You just won Best Cookbook. The bakery's thriving. Candice is gone. Everything you've worked for is actually happening. It’s everything you want."

"That depends."

Julia frowned. "On what?"

Elliott was quiet for a moment. When she spoke, her voice was carefully casual. Too casual, the kind of casual that meant she was petrified.

"On how you feel about being married to a famous pastry chef and award-winning cookbook author."

Julia's heart stopped. "Is that a proposal?"

"It's a question. Well, a statement, I suppose." Elliott still wasn't looking at her. "The proposal involves a ring I definitely didn't hide in Shay's handbag because I didn't trust myself not to lose it."

Julia laughed. It came out slightly hysterical. "You gave Shay an engagement ring?"

"I gave Shay a ring box with strict instructions not to open it, lose it, or tell anyone about it." Elliott finally turned to face her. "She's probably already done all three."

"Elliott…"

"You don't have to answer now. Or ever. It was just a question, and if you're not ready, or if you don't want—"

Julia kissed her.

It was not a gentle kiss. It was not tentative or questioning. It was the kind of kiss that said yes and finally and what took you so long all at once.

When they broke apart, Elliott looked slightly dazed. "Is that a yes?"

"That's a yes, you idiot."

Elliott's smile was the best thing Julia had ever seen.

They walked back inside together, hand in hand, and Julia wasn't even slightly surprised to find Shay already holding up the ring box with a grin that could only be described as insufferable.

"Took you long enough," Shay said.

Milly burst into fresh tears. Jamie was already flagging down a waiter for more champagne. Tom had his phone out and was taking photos with the enthusiasm of a proud parent at a graduation ceremony.

Elliott took the box from Shay, opened it, and slid the ring onto Julia's finger. It fit perfectly.

"I hate you all," Elliott said, but she was smiling.

Julia looked around the table at the people who had become her family. At the woman who had become her home.

Two years ago, she'd been given a bakery she didn't want and a flatmate she couldn't stand. She'd been a people-pleaser with no idea who she actually was.

Now she knew.

This was exactly where she was supposed to end up. She'd just taken the long way around.