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I walk him to the door and then something catches my eye to the side of the front door. Something I didn't see when I first walked in. A brand new commercial size mixer with a bow on it.

"What's that?" I ask, pointing at it.

I know I didn't order it. I wanted to but it took everything I have to pay for the first, last and deposit for this place. Ellie offered to let me keep using her old one but it's still not as big as I'll need once the shop opens and foot traffic requiring more product each day.

"Oh, yeah. That got delivered this morning. The delivery guy was waiting out front with it. Said that the person who ordered it weeks ago was specific that it needed a bow. He paid extra I guess to make sure it got delivered today."

I walk over to it and pull the note off of it that's attached as the property manager sees himself out. I open the card as the door shuts behind him.

Congratulations, Cupcake.

I knew you could do it.

—W

He ordered this weeks ago? He never said anything to me about it. This mixer is even nicer than the one I planned to buy once I have the money.

I can't believe he had already done this and never told me.

I take out my phone and photograph the mixer.

Me: Look what was waiting for me.

Ellie answers immediately.

Ellie: I know. He came into Serendipity's three weeks ago and asked me which one was your dream mixer.

I look up from my phone at this shop. He wanted to see this happen. He brought me here when I was still calculating how many cupcakes stood between me and the deposit, while he was planning this.

He never had a doubt.

I send him the picture.

Me: Got the keys. Found this waiting for me. Thank you.

Then I put the phone away before I can spend another morning watching it.

The kitchen looks the same as it did when I toured it. Counters, sinks, empty shelves. I run my hand along the edge of the worktable and try to imagine the mixer here. Cooling racks against that wall. The refrigerator I’ve been watching online in case the seller drops the price again.

Wolf would tell me to stop looking at it and call the guy.

Then he’d volunteer somebody much larger than me to collect it.

I keep walking until I reach the tasting room.

There’s no blanket on the floor now. No basket, no cushions, no dinner waiting while Wolf asks me to explain the difference between two colors he insists are both pink.

I stand in the doorway, looking at the spot where we sat.

I was so happy that night. He’d brought me somewhere I wanted to be more than anywhere else, then listened while I explained every inch of it.

Now I have the keys, and he isn’t here.

I press my lips together and turn away before I ruin the first morning by crying on a floor I haven’t even mopped yet.

"Baylor?"

Beau is standing near the kitchen entrance.