by Kira Archer
He didn’t want it without her. It meant nothing without her.
Eric slapped the papers on the counter and looked at Jared, who was grinning at him like a drunk monkey.
“Go get your girl,” Jared said.
Eric laughed. “I wish it was going to be that easy. I think I’ve got a plan, though.”
“Lay it on me, man. I’m all in.”
“Good. Because I’m going to need all the help I can get.”
…
Gina stood at the door, blocking Eric from coming into the apartment.
“I just want to talk to her, Gina. It’s been almost a month and she still won’t return my calls. She hasn’t been down to the bakery at all, not even on opening day. She hasn’t been working with you in the truck. I’m worried about her.”
“She’s fine.”
“When will she be back? I’ll wait.”
“I don’t know what her plans are. She went out to visit her parents in Pennsylvania. She’s been talking about opening a bakery near her mom’s place.”
“She what?” Eric nearly shouted.
Gina sighed. “She’s destroyed, Eric. You really did a number on her, pulling that shit.”
“That’s why I need to talk to her. I didn’t do anything. It was my parents and I’ve taken care of it. They won’t interfere again. She should have heard from their lawyer by now, so she knows the will is not being contested. And I ripped up the papers she left. The garage is still hers to use. I haven’t touched it and have no plans to do so.”
“I’ll tell her,” Gina said, trying to shut the door again.
“Wait,” Eric said, shoving his foot in the door.
“Get your foot out of the door, Eric. I have a marble rolling pin in the kitchen and I have zero problem using it on whatever part of your anatomy I think will cause you the most pain.”
“Just…just tell her to call me. Please. We need to talk. I want to tell her…” Eric sighed and shoved his fingers through his hair. “Tell her the bakery is open and doing fantastic and it’s all due to her. Ask her to come down to see it. Please. There’s something she needs to see. Things to discuss. And, tell her I miss her. Tell her…” He sighed again.
“I’ll tell her,” Gina said again, her voice now softer, almost sympathetic.
Eric nodded, his head hanging in defeat. This time he let Gina close the door.
Gina came back into the bedroom and sat on the bed beside Natalie. “Did you hear all that?”
“Yeah,” Nat said, defeat filling her own voice.
She’d been trying so hard to hate him. Been trying to forget all the sweet moments, all the laughter, the sense of absolute rightness when he touched her. But frankly, Eric was impossible to forget. She’d managed to avoid him over the last few weeks, but just hearing his voice at the door made her tremble. She wanted him, more than anything or anyone else she had ever wanted in her life.
She liked how she was when she was with him. He somehow brought out the best in her, even when they were arguing. From the moment she’d danced for him at the club, to the last night they’d spent together, Eric had inspired something in her, something she hadn’t felt for a long time. He’d helped her find her confidence in herself again. Every time he’d looked at her with desire and admiration shining from his eyes, a little of what Steve had destroyed had been rebuilt. She liked who she was when she was with him, and who he was when he was with her. They were better together.
Nat had pushed Eric away, tried to shut off that part of her that wanted to believe someone like him could really want someone like her. But why the hell shouldn’t he want her? She was smart, funny, had ample proof that she was sexy as hell, at least in his eyes and that was all she cared about, and she could bake a damn good cupcake, too. She wanted him, plain and simple. And maybe that wasn’t such a bad thing. Maybe she could have her cake and eat it, too. Why the hell shouldn’t she be happy? Maybe she really could have it all.
“For what it’s worth,” Gina said, “I think he means it. I don’t think he had anything to do with that whole mess with the lawyers and money. I don’t think he was just using you.”
Nat’s head jerked up. Gina was the last person to defend Eric.
“Really?”
“Really.” Gina reached out and took her hand. “Did you ever open that letter from the lawyers that was waiting when you got back from your mom’s?”
Nat frowned. “No. I figured it was more paperwork about the will and I just didn’t have the energy to deal with it.”
“I think you should see what it says. Eric said the will was no longer being contested.”
“What?”
Nat jumped up and pulled the letter out of the drawer where she’d shoved it. She opened and skimmed it quickly, a sense of relief filling her. Along with a sinking depression. He’d called it off. Immediately. The letter was dated the day she’d left for her mom’s, the day after he’d come to see her and they’d had that horrible fight. He’d been telling the truth. He hadn’t had anything to do with it and he’d done what he could to fix everything…the second he had found out.
She suddenly felt like the biggest bitch in the world. What have I done?
Gina continued. “And I don’t see any money lying around here, so he obviously didn’t force you to sell. I think he’s telling the truth about the garage, about not using it. They’ve been turning down any delivery orders because they don’t have a truck yet.”
“How do you know that?”
Gina grimaced. “Jared. He called the other day. I didn’t hang up. Don’t you dare say a word!” she said, holding up a hand to wave off the thousands of questions that suddenly crowded Nat’s brain. Jared and Gina? Wow.
“There’s something else you should probably know. I wasn’t sure whether I should tell you or not, but…well…”
“What?”
“Eric’s parents cut him off.”
“What?”
“Jared said they told him to sell the bakery and give you up or he’d be cut off. Not really disowned, I don’t think. But they certainly aren’t funding anything. He refused to play by their rules. He chose you over his family.”
Nat pulled her legs up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them, leaning her head on her knees.
“I can’t believe he did that. What would I even say to him? After all the horrible things I said.”
“He hasn’t stopped calling, has he? And he even came over here and braved my wrath,” Gina said with a smile. “He wants to talk to you, Nat.”
Nat closed her eyes. “I’m afraid,” she said, her voice barely audible. A few tears fell from her lashes and Gina held up the corner of the sheet so Nat could wipe them away.
“I know you are, babe. But he isn’t Steve. Not even close. I think he might actually be a decent guy. But don’t you dare tell him I said that.”
Nat smiled, the dark weight that had been crushing her for weeks finally lifting enough so she could breathe.
Okay. She wasn’t going to hold her breath over it, but she’d at least go see him, hear him out. He had called off the lawyers. Whether it was because he’d had a change of heart or it hadn’t been his doing in the first place, the important point was that he’d called them off. Right? And in all fairness she’d set out to use him, too. It was supremely unfair for her to judge him for something she’d also done. She’d just been too hurt to acknowledge that, until now. Until she’d heard his voice, the emotion behind it, when he hadn’t known she could hear him.
Okay. She’d go. And pray to God she didn’t end up hurting worse than she already did.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Eric packed a box with a dozen cannoli and an order of chocolate-drizzled baklava and handed it to the customer who waited.
“Thank you, come again,” he said.
He grabbed an empty tray and carried it into the back. Jared stood at the back door, hanging half outside.
“Jared, what are you doing?” he called over his s
houlder while he put the tray in the sink. “We’re getting slammed out there.”
Jared popped his head back in. “Someone’s here to see you, boss.”
Eric turned around at the odd note in his friend’s voice. Nat walked through the door and Eric sucked in a breath.
“Nat.”
She gave him a hesitant smile. “Hey.”
Jared looked back and forth between them. “I’ll, uh, just go take care of things out front.”
He gave them a huge grin and hurried back to the front counter.
Eric walked toward Nat slowly, afraid if he moved too fast she’d take off.
“I wanted to explain…”
She held up a hand and shook her head. “You don’t need to. I realize you didn’t ask your parents for that money. And I got the papers about the appeal. Thank you. I’m sorry it took so long. I was out of town for a while.”
He took another few steps closer. “I got your papers, too.”
Nat ducked her head and Eric closed the distance between them, standing close enough to touch her, though he didn’t. Not yet. “I shredded them.”
She looked up at him. “Why?”
“I don’t want the garage.” He finally reached out and smoothed a thumb over her cheek. “I want you.”
Nat released a tremulous breath and stepped into his arms. “I want you, too,” she said, wrapping her arms around him.
He pressed her head to his shoulder, kissed her forehead. “God, I missed you.”
“I missed you, too.”
She rose up on tiptoes so she could kiss him.
Their lips met and Eric groaned, crushing her to him, trying to mold her body to his. He poured every ounce of love and desperation he’d felt over the last few weeks into that kiss. Let her feel how much he needed her. She returned it with everything she had, her lips moving over his, her arms clutching him to her like she was afraid he’d disappear if she let go. He knew how she felt.
When they finally came up for air, Eric wrapped his arms around her and just held her, enjoying the feel of her heart as it beat against his.
“So,” she said, her voice muffled against his chest, “does this mean I can move my truck back in?”
“Well, yes and no.”
She pulled away, her forehead creased in confusion.
“Come here, I want to show you something.”
He took her hand and pulled her to the back door and out to the garage.
“Eric, what’s going on?”
His heart pounded. He hoped she liked what he’d done.
“You saw how well the bakery is doing,” he said, gesturing to the front sidewalk where people were steadily coming and going.
“Yes. Congratulations, it’s wonderful.”
“It’s all you, Nat. All of it.”
Her eyes widened and she shook her head, looking at the ground. He lifted her chin up, bringing her gaze back up to his. Those beautiful caramel eyes of hers were a bit misty and he smiled.
“It’s all you,” he repeated. “None of this would have been possible without you.” He took a deep breath and went all in. “And I don’t want any of it without you.”
He stepped away from her and opened the doors to the garage. Inside was a brand new delivery van, painted a Tuscan red, with a brand new logo emblazoned on the side.
“Street Treats?”
Eric nodded, praying she liked it. “I combined the names of our businesses. Tuscan Treats and Street Cakes. The new sign for the building is supposed to be ready next week. I was hoping you’d join me. As a full partner. Well, as a controlling partner, actually. I’m having my lawyer draw up papers to give you a sixty percent share in the bakery.”
Nat’s mouth dropped open and she went around to the side of the van so she could read the logo. “Eric, I…”
“And,” he said, pulling her back outside, “I’ve already talked to a contractor about expanding the garage. If we widened it a little, we’d be able to fit both your truck and the van inside. I want you to join me at the bakery, but I don’t want you to have to give up your own business. I thought this way you could do both. If you want.”
Nat stared, barely blinking, her gaze going from the truck to the bakery to him and back again. She finally walked the few feet back to the van. She looked at the logo for what felt like an eternity. Eric steeled himself against the crushing disappointment he’d feel if she said no, his fingers drumming on his leg.
“Nat?” He walked over to her, running a hand down her arm, unable to stand the suspense anymore. “It’s okay if you want to say no. The garage is still yours. I can park the van on the street. I want you with me, want you to be part of this. But if you don’t want—”
She turned to him, tears in her eyes, a huge smile on her face, and put her finger against his lips to shut him up. She launched herself into his arms. “Yes,” she whispered.
“Yes?” he asked, hardly daring to believe all his dreams were coming true.
“Yes!” she said again, laughing. “Yes.” She kissed him. “Yes.” Another kiss. “Yes, yes, yes, yes.”
Eric laughed with her, his heart soaring. He picked her up and spun her around. When he grew almost too dizzy to stand he put her down and kissed her again, letting his lips linger on hers until his head swam again.
Then he drew her into him with a sigh.
“Thank God you said yes,” he said. “I don’t know what I would have done if you’d said no. I already paid for the sign.”
Nat laughed and pulled his head down for another kiss. They came up for air after a few minutes, but Nat stopped him from going back for seconds.
“Wait. Eric, your parents…”
“They’ll come around. Don’t worry about them.” He cupped her face in his hands. “I love you, Cupcake.”
Her smile lit up his world. “I love you, too, Gelato.”
“Come see the inside.”
He dragged her into the bakery, his heart swelling with joy and pride at the obvious admiration on her face for what he’d built.
“This is all really incredible, Eric.”
“I think we should celebrate.”
“Agreed. I think we could both use a treat.”
“Definitely. I’ll go grab the baklava.”
Nat groaned and Eric laughed. “You know you love it.”
“I’ll plead the fifth on that one.”
“Well, this one you have to try. I made it myself.”
“Um…I’m not hungry.”
Eric laughed. “I promise you, it’s good. I hired a few bakers to take care of the other stuff because we both know no one would buy the charred mess I tend to make. But the baklava I’ve been working on, it’s good, I promise.”
He snagged a piece off the nearest tray and popped it in her mouth. She gave it a few hesitant chews and then her eyes widened in surprised delight.
“Oh my God, this is delicious!”
“Told you,” he said with a grin. “Oh! One more thing to show you,” he said, leading her to the front of the store so she could see the menu hanging over the counter.
“It looks wonderful,” Nat said, her smile stretching from ear to ear as she took in the bustling bakery.
“I put a very special item on the menu just for you,” Eric said, pointing to the lower right hand of the menu.
“The Nat Attack,” Nat read. “A baker’s dozen of delectable baklava.”
Nat glared at him, though a smile still played on her lips. “Seriously? A baker’s dozen? You named a menu item of thirteen pieces of baklava after me?”
Eric grinned and wrapped his arms around her. “Oh no. My baker’s dozen is special.”
“It is?”
He nodded. “Just like the woman it is named for. My baker’s dozen is fourteen pieces,” he said, leaning down to kiss her again.
Nat’s laughter rang through the bakery. And nothing had ever sounded so sweet.
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Acknowledgments
My sincerest thanks to the entire Entangled team, most especially my amazing editor, Erin Molta. You have been an absolute dream come true since day one and, as always, it has been a privilege to work with you. You put the awe in awesome.
To my amazing support system, without whom I’d be a blubbering mess over in the corner: Sarah Ballance—girl…all the feels! You complete me (and I’m only sort of kidding). Toni Kerr, for everything you do for me, and all your years of support, I just can’t thank you enough. Lisa, Tammi, Jodie, Jeanette—huge hugs and thanks for everything (also apologies for having to put up with me in real life).
And of course, to my sweet family who has to put up with me on a daily basis, you guys make my world go ’round.
About the Author
Kira Archer resides in Pennsylvania with her husband, two kiddos, and far too many animals in the house. She tends to laugh at inappropriate moments, break all the rules she gives her kids (but only when they aren’t looking), and would rather be reading a book than doing almost anything else. She has odd, eclectic tastes in just about everything and often let’s her imagination run away with her. She loves a vast variety of genres and writes in quite a few. If you love historical romances, check out her alter ego, Michelle McLean.
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