Kiss by Kiss (Riggins Brothers #3) - Kaylee Ryan Page 0,3

inheritance money to lease the building and renovate it. I had to take out a loan with the bank for the equipment that I would need. I hate that I had to lose her to see my dream come true.

“Stop,” Aspen scolds me. “I know what you’re thinking. She would be happy for you. For both of us. She’d be happy that we took the chance.”

“I miss her. I miss Mom and Dad. I hate that I’m happy here, and it took losing her….” My words trail off as I swallow the emotion clogging my throat.

“First of all, you have nothing to feel guilty about. You know Mom and Dad are thrilled to see you following your dreams. Second, you would have figured it out without the inheritance. You’re a young business owner with the drive it takes to make things happen. She would be thrilled to know she helped you follow your dreams, something she would have offered had she still been living, and you and your stubborn ass would have more than likely fought her on it.” She gives me a pointed look, and I can’t help but chuckle.

“You look and sound so much like Mom right now.”

“Thank you.” She gives me a huge grin. “Now get your ass back to work. These magic bars aren’t going to make themselves. I’m going to start on some fresh cupcakes.”

Just like that, she helps calm my guilt, and I allow myself to be distracted with what I love—making delicious treats. I get lost in my work and before I know it, it’s time to unlock the doors. My phone vibrates in my pocket. I smile when I see a message from Mom in the group message that Aspen and I have with her and my dad.

Mom: Have a great day, my beautiful daughters,

Dad: Now you’re just trying to make me look bad.

My parents are the best people on the planet. Sure, I might be biased, but it’s the truth. They’ve supported us in everything we’ve wanted to do. Although they didn’t want us to move away, they knew I needed it. I think knowing that Aspen and I were going to be together helped.

Aspen: Love you!

Me: Love you!

With a smile on my face, I unlock the door and let the small crowd that’s been waiting outside in. Today is going to be a great day indeed.

We’ve been slammed all morning, and I can’t seem to stop smiling. Aspen is in the small lobby wiping down the tables that are finally empty from this morning’s rush. “I’m going to run back and grab another pan of magic bars,” I tell her.

“I can’t believe how busy we’ve been.” Her smile matches mine.

“Right?” I chuckle, disappearing into the kitchen to grab another pan of bars. “This is the last of them,” I say, meeting her back behind the counter. She slides open the display case so that I can replace the full pan with the empty one.

“Do you want me to make more?”

“Nah, it’s just before eight. We have a full pan and plenty of other options.” Since we close at noon every day, it leaves the afternoon for catering jobs, which reminds me I need to hire a delivery driver. It’s too much for Aspen and me to keep up with. It takes both of us to run the bakery, and we’ve had a few deliveries requested for the morning hours.

“Can you hold down the fort for a few minutes?” she asks. “I need to run to the restroom.”

“Go, while you can.” I laugh.

“That’s a good problem to have, sister.” She gives me a quick hug before disappearing into the kitchen to use the small staff restroom.

The chime over the door rings out and I lift my head to greet my next customer. I open my mouth to say hello, but no words come out as I watch the most gorgeous man I’ve ever laid eyes on saunter into the bakery.

“Morning.” He grins.

I shake out of my fog and offer him a smile, feeling my face heat. “Good morning. Welcome to Warm Delights. What can I get you?”

“It all looks delicious,” he says, but he’s not looking at the display case. No, he’s looking at me.

Me!

He has dark hair, cut short on the sides and a little longer on top. His eyes are a deep blue, and they’re mesmerizing. He’s wearing dress pants and a dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, tattoos on display. It’s an unseasonably warm