Page 58 of Stopping Short

“I got it.” I smile up at him. I love how protective he is of me and how he doesn’t try to hide his love. He’s told me how scared he is of something happening to me and how he doesn’t trust Evan.

“I love you,” he whispers as he leans down to press his lips to mine.

“I love you too.” I wrap my arms around his neck and get lost in our kiss. He makes me feel so special. Like he has all the time in the world for me, even though I know he’s going to be late for work if he doesn’t leave soon.

“Don’t forget, if you need anything, Mason, Peck, and your dad are right next door. You can call me and I’ll be here as soon as I can,” he murmurs, staring down at me. I can tell he’s having a hard time leaving me and I get it. I’ve barely left his side since he came to Pittsburgh.

“Alright, Romeo. We get it. You love each other and you don’t want to leave.” Emma grips Jackson’s arm and tries to pull him away from me. “Jeez, these biceps are crazy. How do you get these from swinging a bat?”

“Why don’t you ask Leo?” Jackson rolls his eyes.

“Making an enemy with me won't do you any favors,” Emma singsongs, tugging a little harder on Jackson’s arm.

“Don’t forget about the secret door. If anything happens, I want you to go through it right away.”

“Oh my gosh, Jackson! We’ll keep her safe! Get out!” Emma forces him out the door with a huff. “Man, he might be worse than Peck.”

“I don’t think so,” Sophia giggles.

I glance over my shoulder to find Peck standing behind her with his hands resting on her large stomach. He’s whispering something in her ear and swaying back and forth with her. They’re absolutely perfect. I hope Jackson and I are just as grossly adorable together.

“Seriously, Peck?” Emma groans, scrubbing a hand down her face. She leaves a little streak of flour, but I'm not telling her. I don’t want her to get even more angry with me.

“What? You know I own this bakery too, right? Like we’re married and both of our names are filed as owners of the business.” He frowns at Emma.

“That doesn’t mean you need to be here all the time and rub in how cute the two of you are together in our faces! Bella and I are still single, remember?” She huffs, folding her arms across her chest.

“You’re single because you’re stubborn,” Peck fires back, his brows tugging together in a scowl.

“Peck,” Sophia says softly, spinning around in his arms to put her hand on his chest.

“Fine. But it’s true.” He stares down at Sophia and his features soften.

“You’ll only make it worse,” she whispers, barely loud enough for me to hear her.

Peck nods his head and gives Sophia another quick kiss, then he’s disappearing through the secret door, leaving us all in silence.

No one speaks as we move around the kitchen and begin prepping dough for tomorrow. Bella was in here early, cooking the things we needed for the morning rush. She’s a rock star when it comes to arriving early and getting everything ready. I truly don’t know what Sophia would do without her.

Since Bella handles all of that, when Sophia, Emma, and I come in, we work on making sure the display is stocked and start on custom orders and prepping other things for later in the week.

Mulberry Lane Bakery is the busiest bakery in the area. It gets so much attention, especially with the stadiums selling their items at games. I think we’ll only get busier within the next few months as well.

Sophia definitely took this area by storm when she opened the bakery. She was able to bring new flavors and ideas into an area just waiting for something different.

I keep thinking about my future and trying to decide what I want to do. I know Sophia will happily let me work here for as long as I’d like, but I'm not sure if that’s what I want. Law school is never far from my mind. I'm really happy Jackson’s supportive of the idea, enough that he spoke to Hunter about it. I really need to call Hunter and thank him. Maybe even get his opinion on which school he thinks would be the best. Anything to help me make my decisions a little easier.

“Do you guys mind if I take my break? I need to make a phone call.” Bella pops her head into the kitchen a little while later. She’s been running the front counter all morning.

“I can cover the counter,” I volunteer. I don’t mind dealing with the customers and it’s a nice way to break up the day.

We tend to all take turns up front. Sophia’s staying in the kitchen a little more each week. I think it’s easier for her to sit and decorate cakes than stand behind the counter and bend over to box up sweets for customers. I'm sure the further she gets in her pregnancy, the more she’ll want to be in the kitchen or maybe not working at all.

I wonder what it’s going to be like when she has the babies. I'm sure Peck’s going to insist she stays home for a few months, and I don’t blame him. She needs to fully recover and enjoy her babies before she comes back and worries about this place.

“Thanks, Harper.” Sophia smiles at me before returning her attention to the wedding cake she’s working on.

I take my place behind the counter right as a woman and her daughter come into the bakery.