My fingers attain for his higher arms, mendacity flat on prime whereas my thumbs press into his biceps, absorbing his power.

He retains speaking. “I do know you’ll be shocked, however I took a while to investigate my life.”

“No. You?” I tease.

“Hush, lady.” He kisses the tip of my nostril, and I shudder on the contact. I would like extra of him, all the time extra. “I considered which components of my plans have been really one thing I wished—not simply what was anticipated of me. And I spotted that what I would like is to be pleased with the work I do. To like what I do. And…” He exhales. Inhales. “To come back dwelling to a superb lady that I like. Somebody who makes all of my laborious work matter within the first place.”

I hear the hiss and whine of a firework because it careens from a ship out on the water up into the sky. There’s a pink flash and a burst of one thing lovely overhead.

However I’m extra involved with what’s taking place right here.

With how Blake tugs my hips in opposition to his, strikes his mouth to my ear, and whispers, “And when you haven’t figured it out but, Sunshine, that somebody is you.” Then his lips are brushing in opposition to my ear earlier than Blake pulls again to have a look at me. “I like you, Lucy. And I’ll do no matter it takes to show I’m not going anyplace. That I’m on this with you for the lengthy haul.”

The following firework sparks, ignites, and the sunshine it offers off permits me to see the pleading—the utter hope—in Blake’s gaze.

Oh, this man. How did he make me love him again once I was so decided to not?

“Say one thing, please.” His hand tightens round my waist.

“One thing.” I lastly let a smile flit throughout my lips.

“Sunshine,” he growls, and the sound of it sends a thrill up my backbone. “Put me out of my distress. I’ve advised you what I would like. What would you like?”

The query of the hour—the final twelve years, actually. “What do I would like? It’s easy, actually. You.” I carry up on my tiptoes and press a kiss to his stubbly cheek. It’s so not like Blake to not shave, however I form of like this undone look of his. “Flake, I’ve spent nearly half my life loving you. Why would I cease now?”

He breathes out a disbelieving chortle earlier than grabbing my face and kissing me. One other firework, then two, bursts within the sky, and the explosion rocks my entire physique. Or perhaps that’s simply Blake’s kiss. His fingers are all over the place. My hair, my cheeks, my ears, arms, waist, again, like he can’t get sufficient. Our mouths transfer collectively, in sync as we bask within the glow of one another.

I don’t care the place we go or what we do for a residing. Blake is sufficient.

“What?” he says, freezing, his mouth hovering over mine.

Oops. Did I say that out loud? However I shake myself. What does it matter? I’m achieved hiding my emotions away. “You’re sufficient. I would like an journey with you. So…I’m transferring to L.A. If that’s okay with you.”

“I don’t assume that’s a good suggestion.” He softly tugs on a strand of my hair. “I’d miss you when you left.”

It’s my flip to freeze. “What do you imply?”

He grins at me. “I spent the day in Los Angeles yesterday and all this morning as a result of I used to be promoting my recipes to Dale. Effectively, promoting him the usage of my recipes for the restaurant in alternate for a small stake within the enterprise. I’ll nonetheless be concerned, however solely from a distance and solely as an investor. We’ll rent one other chef. One other supervisor. Dale was dissatisfied however understood my resolution and revered it.”

I blink. Candy macaroni. Am I understanding what he’s saying? For actual? “You’re giving up your recipes?”

“Not utterly. Dale’s simply licensing them, and we agreed I’ll not license them to anybody else—besides I’ve the proper to make use of them in my meals truck right here in Hallmark Seashore.”

Whaaaaat? I bounce on my tiptoes. “You’re staying? Are you certain? What about your dream?” I sputter query after query, my mind working quicker than my mouth.

He laughs. “Sure. Sure. And as for my dream”—Blake folds me up in his embrace—“it was ready for me again right here in Hallmark Seashore the entire time.”

Then he kisses me with all of the depth and love I really feel proper again for him. And as a slew of fireworks burst and flame in a raging, lovely finale overhead, I do know that my love story with Blake is simply starting.

epilogue

Marilee

I sigh because the final vestiges of coloration disappear from the sky, leaving a smoky haze of firework mud behind at midnight night time. Someplace behind us all, up on the cliffs, I pray that Blake and Lucy are getting their fortunately ever after.

A few of us aren’t so fortunate. But when I can’t have romance, at the least I’ve this.

Ryder’s candy pink head is mashed in opposition to my shirt, and his even respiratory tells me that regardless of the fireworks, he’s fallen asleep. I kiss his hair, which smells of sugar and little boy sweat.

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