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“How are you doing these days? Are you and Ellis settling into your new apartment well enough? I would’ve expected you to be with him today. Is everything alright?”

At the mention of Ellis, my stomach fluttered. We’d moved in together just after Christmas, and things couldn’t have been better. Today was a big day for him. “Everything’s great. I just thought I’d swing by here and take a look. I haven’t had a chance to come by since the ribbon cutting. I’m headed to the shop now, actually.”

“Good, good.” We chatted for another minute or so before we said our goodbyes and I headed out.

The day was beautiful for late January, chilly of course, but the sun was shining brightly and people were out and about in downtown Pine Bluff. I hoped that meant good things for Ellis and the big open house for the shop, which he’d decided to name Inky Promise.

I made my way to the shop and walked around to the back entrance, calling out as I stepped inside.

“It’s me,” I said.

I found him in the office, drawing on his tablet, and when he looked up from his work and saw me, he gave me a bright smile. “I’m glad you’re here.”

“Where else would I be?”

He laughed a little and shrugged. “The library, apparently.”

“Okay, who told you I went to the library?”

Before he could answer, Lena came into the office. “Oh, you’re here. Kieran, how was the library?”

“How did you know I was there?”

“I saw you on my way to get the coffee and pastries from the bakery for the open house.” Her tone was matter-of-fact and she frowned at Ellis. “Did you not tell him?”

“Hadn’t had a chance yet.” He glanced at his phone. “Shit, it’s almost time. I should go open the doors.” A beat passed. “I’m nervous.”

Lena laughed gently. “That’s normal. It’ll be great. Even if you only have a few people come by, you still have appointments for the next month or so already lined up, right?”

“Right,” he agreed.

“Exactly. And you’ll get more. Don’t worry. It’s going to be great. Just give it some time.”

He nodded and his throat moved as he swallowed. “You’re right.”

“How about this? I’ll go open the doors, you take a deep breath and come out when you’re ready.”

He laughed quietly. “Deal.”

The second she was gone, Ellis stood, coming out from behind the desk, and inhaled deeply, letting it out slowly. As soon as he was done, I pulled him into my arms and gave him a tight hug.

“It’s going to be great,” I echoed. When I pulled back to look at him, I ran my fingers through his dark hair, tucking a few strands behind his ear. My stomach fluttered once again and my heart pounded. I swallowed hard, nerves suddenly hitting me. “Before you go out there, I want to tell you something. Something I’ve never told you before.” No going back now.

His brow furrowed. “What’s wrong?”

“No, nothing’s wrong.” My heart was beating so hard and so loudly that I was sure he could hear it, feel it through his chest, pressed against mine. Just spit it out. “I love you.”

Before I could start babbling about how he didn’t have to say it too, if he wasn’t ready, or backtracking and making a joke out of it, a wide smile slowly broke out over his face. He closed his eyes and pressed his forehead against mine. “I love you too.”

He kissed me then, a long, slow kiss that made my knees weak and my stomach do somersaults.

We kissed for several moments, getting lost in each other, until Lena’s voice cut through the moment from just outside of the office. “Come on, lovebirds. We don’t have all day. People are here.”

As we parted, we both chuckled. I glanced at Lena and rubbed the back of my neck, my face hot. Ellis looked much the same, cheeks pink as he rubbed his stubble with one hand.

“Ready?” I asked.

He nodded. “Let’s get out there.”