building, glancing around. It’s lit in warm muted light by the thin kraft paper covering the bay windows. “Leave better clues, then.”
“What? Which one was hard?” Popping out of his slouch, he plucks the note from me as his arm finds its way around my waist. “Number seven? No way, I made that one obvious.”
“Number three!” Gripping his biceps, I press on my tiptoes to kiss him. He tilts his head, a smirk playing in the corners of his mouth. “Hi. Going to tell me what mischief you’re up to today?”
“Thinking about it.” His hands slip inside my coat, fitting to my waist over my long black skirt with big sunflowers printed on it. He dips into the high slit with one hand as his other teases beneath my cropped sweater, tracing exposed skin. “Thinking about something else, too. Especially when you wear this.”
“When aren’t you thinking about that.” With a sardonic smile, I shrug out of my white wool coat—a replacement from the one I had last year—and drape it over the counter. It looks newly built. I don’t remember the photos on the real estate website having anything inside, but now it seems like whoever owns the place has been getting it ready. “Are we allowed to be in here? I saw the sign out front. I know you love bad ideas, but—”
“We’re allowed. This is actually one of my better ones.”
He follows me as I explore the main room. I imagine how I’d paint the wall, make the one behind the counter a chalk wall with an artistic display of the daily menu, and fill the back one with a similar poster mural of inspiration and positivity just like my old bedroom. I have one in our apartment that grows every time I find something new to add. It would look perfect in my bakery to create an uplifting environment that will make people smile.
“Do you know who bought this place?”
Connor tucks his hands in his pockets. “I do.”
“What are they going to put here? It looks like a shop.”
He hums as if he’s pondering, wrapping his arms around me from behind. “A bakery, I think.”
“Really?” My face falls. A second later, I shake my head and turn in his arms. “That’s so great. Maybe I can get a job here instead of the coffee shop!”
Connor’s smile turns fond. “Baby. The building is for you. I bought it.”
It takes a moment for his words to register as I’m lost in the process of how to quit my job. I blink, digging my fingers into his shirt. “Wait what?”
He chuckles, kissing my cheek. “I’m saying it’s yours, all of it.”
“You…” I gape, gaze flying around the room. “And you built…”
“Yes. You kept showing me your Pinterest vision board, and I had Maisy help me design the style you saved most.”
I’m speechless, mouth working helplessly. Tears of joy prick my eyes. “Oh my god.”
“I want to give you the world. Help you achieve all of your dreams.” He brushes a knuckle under my eye to catch a stray tear. “Do you like it?”
“Like it? I fucking love it, you crazy, wonderful man!” Laughter bursts free as I crash into him, hugging him tight.
“Oh, f-bomb. I know I got it right when you start letting those slip.” He kisses the top of my head. “Love you, sunshine.”
“I love you, too. This is the best surprise. Oh my god.” I can’t stop saying it. “I’m opening a bakery.”
“You are.” Connor grins into the kiss he gives me. “I have one more surprise.”
“Okay, but you probably should’ve led with that one. I don’t think you can top this.”
His gray eyes gleam. “We’ll see. Close your eyes.”
Tugging the sleeves of my sweater over my hands, I cover my eyes. A few moments later, Connor is back, cupping my elbow. He takes a shaking breath, drawing my attention. He’s usually confident no matter what he does.
“Okay, you can look.”
When I lower my hands, Connor kneels on one bent knee in front of me, thumbs stroking the sides of my legs. My eyes go wide.
“Are you—”
“Not if you interrupt with your classic nervous babbling.”
I mime zipping my lips and tossing away the key. It makes him huff out a laugh, a tenderness lighting up his handsome features.
“I’ve known you’re the girl I’d marry since you first challenged me every step of the way with your not so quiet stubbornness and logic. You’re my perfect match”
As a watery puff of amusement escapes me, he pulls out