“I don’t believe that’s the term.”
“It is for me.” She laughs, pulling away from me before I tickle her. She disappears into the bathroom.
“How the fuck did I get this lucky?” I ask the empty room.
I stand and make my way to my girl, climbing into the shower after her.
Chapter 25
Shelby
Istand outsideAurora,watching the ever-growing crowd gathering at the entrance. The crystal chandeliers look elegant in the light of dawn. I played around with many names, but Aurora, Greek Goddess of the sunrise won me over. In a lot of ways, this bakery, this life, is my sunrise after the darkest of nights. The streets are lined with cars, and they’re all here for the grand opening.
Ember and Brody are laughing at something. Ember helps my son with his tie. I smile at that, remembering the first day we met. I never thought the cocky bastard would come to mean so much to me, and God, he does. My friends are all gathered outside that shop, waiting for me to cut a ribbon that will change my life as I know it. I needed to reflect, and so I went to the one place I felt I could do that.
After laying flowers on the granite covering my husband's grave, I blew him a kiss, thanked him, and drove back here.
Ember plants a kiss on my cheek.“Happiness looks good on you.”
“Where did you come from?” I smirk.
“I’m always watching you, firefly.” He looks toward the crowd. “You have a lot of people waiting for you.”
“Let’s do this.” I lace my fingers through his as we make our way to the entrance.
I stand in front of the bakery, and tears prick my eyes. “I am so bad with words,” I whisper so only Ember can hear.
“Say what’s in your heart. That’s what they want to hear.” He kisses my temple.
I turn to the crowd, my gaze sweeping over the smiling faces until I see my son.
“Years ago, my husband, Drew, and I played around with the idea of me opening a bakery. It was a ploy for him to taste everything I bake.” Everyone laughs.
“Years later, the first job I took since Drew died serendipitously landed me at the family home of the love of my life. He ruined a perfect tray of petit fours, but he made up for it.” I look up at Ember.
“Aurora is a dream come true, and I am truly grateful to be able to share it with all of you. I am thankful for the times you pushed me, and the times you let me go.” I look at Grady, Desi, and Greg.
“This is a new dawn, Brody, and I am so happy to share this with you.” I hold out my hand, and he runs up to me. Ember hands us a large pair of scissors, and I cut the ribbon to my new life.
The crowd cheers as I step into my bakery with Ember and Brody.
“Congratulations!” Grady wraps me in a hug.
“I could not have done this without you.” I place a hand on his cheek. “Thank you.”
When I’ve greeted almost everyone, I take a seat at a table with Dylan.
“You okay, Dyl?” I ask. She looks a bit pale and hella tired.
“I’m fine,” she says and waves me off.
“You should be at home resting. I would have understood if you couldn’t make it.”
“Gosh, and miss all these cakes? Besides, I need to keep busy; it’s supposed to help get this girl outta here.”
“A girl?” I shout.
“Oh my goodness, I must really be tired,” she complains. “It was supposed to be a surprise.”
