Seven months later
Penny
The lunch rush is over, and I’m in the back, filling orders to be delivered to Spotlight for tomorrow’s event. Humming along to the radio, I can’t help but sway my hips in time.
Life is so amazing. I don’t know how it could get any better.
A smudge of pink icing on the new stainless worktop has me day dreaming about Shapiro.
“Penny?” Abbi peeks her head back in to the kitchen. My kitchen. In my bakery.
Thanks to Mama Ang and Shapiro, all my dreams are coming true, even the dreams I didn’t know I had.
“Hey. Great sales day, huh?” I question my new employee, my only employee. And technically she’s a loaner from Spotlight until I find someone permanently.
Sweet Confessions is open and business is already booming, but I’m still learning to balance everything.
“Yeah, for sure. But uh, there is a guy out in the sugar rush line refusing to grab a quick order. I tried to explain the grab and go treats concept. Like an express line of sorts, but he says he only wants to place a standing order. What should I tell him?” She looks genuinely concerned. I know I need to get out front to prevent him from scaring Abbi off.
“I’ve got this. Thanks!” I wipe my hands on a cloth and rush out front.
Abbi and I hit it off, so I really hope she sticks around. She has a way with the customers and is very creative.
Plus, she was on board with my idea of a confessions jar instead of tips and she helps manage the bakery’s social media account. Something which has brought in a ton of new business, making today another successful one.
Peering over the long glass counter, I see Shapiro standing in the front of the sugar rush line.
“Hey! What are you doing out here?” I smile at him. “Come around back.”
“I can’t. I have a question first,” he offers.
“Okay. So, you’re the difficult customer?”
“I am. Is there any chance we can get Kool-Aid on the menu?”
“That’s your question?” I giggle at his one-track mine.
“Well, no, but I think you should. I actually have another question or more of a confession.”
“Okay.” I step closer to the counter. “You can do that with paper … the jar.” I smile, nodding toward the large glass jar on the counter as I walk around to stand between him and the case filled with today’s brownies and cupcakes.
“This isn’t really a paper and pen kind of confession.”
“Can we do this later, maybe?” I suggest, unsure of what he’s getting at.
“Nope. Has to be today. Now.” He smiles.
“What’s so special about today?”
“Nothing … yet. But I can’t wait another day.”
“For what?”
“For this.” He smiles up at me, dropping to one knee.
O.M.G.
“Penny, you are amazing, and I don’t wanna waste another day without making you mine. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me and I want to share my life with you.”
My heart is beating so fast I can barely hear anything else.
Looking down I see a diamond ring glistening as he holds it up and I think my heart might stop.
“Penny. Marry me?” He waits for my answer as the patrons waiting on baked goods begin clapping.
“Yes!” rushes out of my mouth and I fall into his arms, nearly knocking us both to the ground.
Our lips meet, and he mumbles against them, “Mmmm, best kiss I’ve ever had.”
“You always say that.” I giggle against his chest as he stands, lifting me with him.
“And it’s always true.”