Page 85 of Suddenly Yours

Cade squeezed my hand under the table. When I looked at him, really looked, there were still shadows under his eyes, bruises fading along his jaw, stitches hidden beneath his hairline.

“I should probably say something inspirational,” he murmured, motioning to the crowded room.

“You absolutely should not. You’re still on the sauce,” I joked. “Which is why you can’t drive that shiny new truck sitting out there.” I motioned to the new beauty Max had picked up less than an hour ago for us, thanks to the insurance company’s payout.

He grinned as he looked at it. “She’s a beauty.”

Suddenly, Ashley clinked a spoon against a glass. “Okay, okay. Before Missy starts crying again, because she will, I’d like to formally declare this bakery unbreakable.”

Cheers erupted.

I swallowed hard, emotion pressing tight against my ribs. Being surrounded by this much love, I knew I had to give some of it back. I stood up and got everyone’s attention.

The room grew quiet.

“I just want to say…” My voice wobbled, then steadied. “This place exists because of you. Every single one of you standing here now. You showed up when things were hard. When it grew scary. When I didn’t know if I could keep going.” I looked down at Cade. “When we didn’t know if we could keep going. Some of you have stayed through every moment of my life.” I lifted his hand in mine. His expression softened in that way that still undid me. “We’re never closing,” I finished. “We’re not letting anyone else decide our future for us.”

The applause that followed felt like a wave of warmth instead of noise.

Later, when the crowd thinned and the bell finally stopped ringing constantly, Cade leaned over and kissed my temple.

“Hey,” he said quietly. “You never answered me, you know.”

I smiled, tears burning the backs of my eyes again, because apparently that was just my thing now. “I did. Eventually. I love you,” I said. “I always have.”

“I love you too, but I didn’t mean that.”

My eyebrows shot up. “What then?”

“You, me, the long game. I meant it. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.” He nodded and suddenly a large pink cupcake was set before me. I glanced over to see Meredith stepping back and smiling at me. Turning, I noticed that on top of the frosting sat a beautiful white gold diamond ring. I gasped lightly. “I would get down on one knee, but I’m not sure I would make it back up, so…” He shifted until we were face to face. “Melissa Rosemary Sharpe, Missy.” He smiled. “I’ve spent every day of my life loving you. I want to spend the rest of every day of my life doing the same. Marry me?”

“Yes,” I said quickly, without hesitation this time. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders, holding him as tight as I could without hurting him.

Everyone around us cheered.