by Mary Beesley
“I wanted to see you tonight.”
“Trouble in paradise?” Concern flashed over Blair’s face.
“No. He’s perfect. It’s perfect. We are so in love it’s disgusting.”
“Did you want to see me for any other reason than to make me jealous? And a little nauseous?”
Tempest blew on pretend steam from her cold tea to hide her desire to grin. “Do you have a name yet for your bakery?”
Blair sipped and scowled. “Don’t bring that up tonight.” She inhaled, her nose close to the hot tea. “I’m too depressed for dreams.”
Tempest’s voice was bland, uninterested when she said, “How much money do you have saved?”
“Eight grand. It’s not enough.” She dropped a napkin into the trash drawer and kicked it closed. “I’ll never have enough.”
It was more than Tempest had hoped for. She couldn’t quite suppress her bubbling emotions when she spoke again. “I bet if we add my fifty-three thousand, we’ll have enough to get started.”
Blair stared. She set the mug down. She held Tempest’s gaze. Her dark eyes filled with tears. She licked her pinkie and stuck it out. “I’ll take that bet.”
****
Leo pulled up to Sticks and Storms, as he’d done nearly every day after work since the pastry shop opened last summer. They’d done an impressive job. Tempest was a wiz at the business end—Leo’s COO acted as their consultant, which helped. And Blair Stickley had surprised him. That little tiger was at the bakery every morning before the sun.
He skirted the dozen people waiting in line, peeking over shoulders to see the day’s offerings. Bacon scones were still available. He loved and hated Blair for introducing them to him four months ago. And as always, a glass case was stocked full of sky-and-forest-inspired treats such as pine-tree chocolate-dipped pretzels, pecan cloud clusters, blizzards of coconut, and grizzly bear gingerbreads. He let himself through the door that said Employees Only and slipped into the back office. Tempest’s gaze flickered to him and then back to her computer, but she lifted her chin, inviting him to kiss her while she typed. He didn’t go for the quick peck, not today. He cupped the base of her skull, tilted her head back, and let her have it.
When he released her, her lips were flushed crimson, and her eyes were melted sky. Her hands had gone limp on the keyboard.
“Uh,” she whispered.
“Get back to work.”
“What’s work?” She leaned up toward him, her lips parting in welcome, but he forced himself to step back.
She scowled.
He grinned.
“I’ll be done in five minutes. I just need to finish payroll. Then you’re going to finish what you started, tease.”
He shrugged noncommittally, but his veins throbbed. “Take your time. I’ll be over with the discards.” He sauntered out and went to the back of the kitchen where he found the tray of rejects. He picked up a piece of broken bacon scone, but he couldn’t taste it over the anxiety tearing him apart. He’d triple-checked his plans for tonight. Everything needed to be perfect.
Blair sashayed in, her curls wrapped in a bright green handkerchief. Flour dusted her apron.
“You’re here late,” he said.
She usually left after the lunch rush. Even when she ended then, with her sunrise start, it was a long day for her.
He lifted his treat. “Thank you for this.”
“I got busy with Valentine’s orders. Nothing says I love you like pink chocolate.”
Silvia and Christopher and the rest of humanity had firm claim on Valentine’s Day, but today, February thirteenth, belonged to Leo and Tempest. His pulse rose as he lifted the tiny box from his pocket. “What about this?” He popped the lid, revealing the bulging diamond ring nestled inside.
Blair’s hand flew to her heart, and her eyes softened as she swooned. “Now that is an engagement ring.”
“I hope that’s Tempest’s reaction too.” Nerves sparked. He’d never been happier than he was with Tempest. They were so deep in this he didn’t know where he ended and she began. She was his everything. But asking to be her husband felt like stepping off a cliff. He’d never been more scared, even when he thought he might die at ten years old. Tonight he was going to risk it all, offer up his pounding heart to her, because he needed all of her, not just now, but for the rest of his life.
Blair’s gaze was riveted to the sparkle. “Boy, can I marry you instead?”
“Maybe Tempest will say no.” He forced a teasing grin to cover his nerves.
“I wouldn’t bet on it.” She held out an open palm.
He handed her the box. “Don’t touch it. No smudges.”
She held the precious stone right in front of her nose. It reflected every color of the rainbow on her chocolatey eyes. He had already spent hours staring at the flawless diamond, building courage, waiting for today and the perfect date he had planned.
“Well, that is gorgeous.”
He whirled at the familiar voice, his heart dropping out of his body. “Shit.”
Tempest’s brows rose at his hissed curse. “What? If you didn’t want me to catch you proposing to my best friend, maybe you should not have done it at my work.” Fortunately, she didn’t look angry. She bit her lip.
Blair’s wide-eyed gaze tracked in slow motion from the incriminating evidence in her hand to the woman who’d snuck up on them. Blair hadn’t moved anything but her eyes, making no sound, as if that would make her invisible.
Leo lifted the box, snapped it closed, and stuffed it in his pocket. “Nothing to see here.”
“Boo. I want to see it.” Tempest folded her arms and looked stoic, but he’d seen her fingers tremble before she hid them under her arms.
“You have to wait.” His heart was going to break his ribs.
“Why?” Her jaw tightened below eyes that turned glossy with emotion.
This wasn’t how it was supposed to go, but how could he leave her looking so vulnerable? “I still have to ask your father for permission to marry you.” He blurted it out, then laughed at his own joke, but the sound came out rough with nerves. Tears threatened behind his eyes. “Seriously, though. I have it all planned.”
Her whole body softened, and she reached out. “This is perfect. I don’t need helicopter rides or candlelight or a famous singer serenading us.” Her lips curved up. “Actually, I still want to do all the fancy stuff you planned, but I just need you.” She took a step toward him. “And with my best friend here watching”—Blair was holding up her phone, documenting—“it saves me from having to tell her everything later.” Tempest slid her arms around his neck. “But you are not going to keep me in suspense about what that ring is for unless you want me to consider changing my answer.”
“I’m sorry I ruined it.” His face was inches from hers now.
“Just shut up and tell me how much you love me.”
His shaking hands found her waist. His voice quivered like a flicked doorstop spring. “I love you.”
She nodded. “Tell me more.”
He laughed, and his shoulders loosened. “You’re my favorite stalker. I’m so glad you creeped on my house and fell at my feet.”
She pursed her lips. He kissed her pucker.
“You’re the best sister ever.” He grinned, adrenaline rushing through his veins. “And you let me do you.”
“Is this seriously what you had planned?” She wiggled backward out of his embrace.
Turning grave, he knelt on both knees. Through drips of sugar and flour, he scooted forward, ignoring the pain in his kneecaps, until he was flush against her legs. He gripped the backs of her thighs and tilted his head to look up.
“Please.” The heat of tears flickered to life behind his eyes. “I will die without you.” His heart came out with the words.
Her legs went soft in his hands, and her weight hit his chest before she managed to balance upright again. Her palms found the nape of his neck, and she cradled his head as he gazed up at his goddess.
“I don’t know how to tell you how much I love you, because there are no words for what consumes me,” he whispered.
Blair let out a massive, “Awwwww.”
“Shut up, B. I’m pretending you’re not here,” Tempest said without looking over. Her glittering eyes stayed hot on his.
He took a steadying breath. “Will you marry me, Tempest? Will you never, ever, ever leave me? Even when the rest of my hair goes?”
“I love your balding head.”
He leaned back and pulled the box from his pocket. He opened it and held it up in offering. “Say yes.”
Her smile was like an April morning. She was so beautiful. Her hair had grown to her shoulders, and she’d taken to wearing it straight, sharpening the angle of her jaw. And those eyes, almond shaped with blue irises the size of the sky and just as enchanting. And below her face…he felt a flush just thinking about her smooth skin, long legs, and soft curves.
He lifted the ring from its silk pillow. “Will you travel around the world with me, cuddle with me while we watch movies, let me play the piano for you, and have my babies?” He flipped the ring back and forth in his fingertips so it sparkled like a supernova.
Her face went soft as she traced his jaw. She wasn’t looking at the diamond. She was looking at him as if he were the treasure. A tear slid down his cheek. She leaned over and kissed it away. Her lips moved to his. He tasted salt. It was the kind of slow, heavy kiss that melted his muscles.
“Yes, please,” she whispered against his mouth. “Yes to all of it and everything else.”
He scrambled to stand, careless of the pastry mess on his shins. He slid the huge rock on her long, slender finger.
“It really is gorgeous. Too nice for me…but I’m keeping it.”
“That’s what I say about you.” He brought her mouth to his again. Her shifting lips sent sparks down his body. She opened to him, her hands sliding up his back, and his blood went white hot. “Can we consummate this engagement in here?”
“Hell no,” Blair said, striding up.
They broke apart, but Leo kept his arm around Tempest’s waist as they turned toward their friend.
Blair tucked her phone into her pocket. “First of all, congratulations. Second of all, that was weirdly adorable. And third, y’all are making me insanely jealous, so get out of my kitchen.”
Tempest turned her face to him. Her lips were crushed rose petals, and her eyes bubbled with happiness.
Risking his heart was nothing compared to this reward.
A word about the author…
Mary Beesley believes humans are born to create, and promotes creativity in all its beautiful forms. She’s learning calligraphy and watercolor. She loves exploring our magnificent planet and finding all the best places to eat around the world. But nothing beats coming home and sharing a pot of slow-simmered soup and homemade sourdough with friends and family. If she’s not in her writing chair, you’ll probably find her hiking in the Utah mountains with her husband and four children.
~*~
Visit Mary online at:
https://www.marybeesley.com
or on Instagram and Twitter @maryrbeesley
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