Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 66962 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 335(@200wpm)___ 268(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66962 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 335(@200wpm)___ 268(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
I was glad I had accepted extra pastries from Cam when he’d shown up with them. Otherwise, I would have run out much too early in the day.
I’d enjoyed serving customers and getting to know more people in the area just as much as I’d hoped. And I was thrilled Blade had stayed at the counter as long as he had. I knew sitting in a crowd, especially of people who might want to talk or introduce themselves, wasn’t easy for him, but he’d known how special this day was for me. That meant so much. I turned the lock and flipped the sign on the entrance to closed after the last customer left.
Laura, the assistant I’d hired, and I put up the chairs, swept the floor, and did a little bit of cleanup. I was really glad I’d been working on resetting the shop for tomorrow since the number of customers had dwindled to only a few. I was exhausted. All I felt like doing was dragging myself upstairs and falling into bed, but I needed to eat first. I’d fueled myself on sugar and caffeine all day, and that wasn’t going to cut it.
Laura was as exhausted as I was. I sent her on her way with a bonus for an amazing first day, then locked the back door behind her, tossed my apron in the laundry hamper, and headed upstairs.
Maybe Blade would snuggle on the couch with me while we ordered a pizza from down the street. That wouldn’t take too long to arrive, and grease and cheese sounded perfect, but as I reached the door that opened into our apartment, I smelled something amazing—cheesy and rich. Had Blade already ordered food for us? That would be awesome.
When I stepped into our apartment, Blade called to me from the kitchen. When I saw him standing at the stove, I froze. He was cooking for me. I moved closer and looked into the pot.
“It’s not as good as yours, but it will do.”
I could hardly believe what I was seeing. “You made pastina.” I was so overwhelmed I could barely get the words out.
“I told you someone should make it for you. I know you’re not sick, but I thought you would enjoy it after such a long day.”
I had to blink back tears as I watched him stir it one last time and turn off the heat. This had been the most amazing day. I’d thought opening my café was the best feeling in the world, but this was even better.
“Can I have a taste?”
He dipped a spoon into the pasta and lifted it to my mouth. He looked so uncertain, but it didn’t matter how close it was to my version, it was going to be amazing because he’d made it for me.
When the pastina hit my tongue, I sighed. He’d done an incredible job. Relief spread across his face when I smiled. “This is perfect.”
He shook his head. “No. There’s something different.”
“It’s so fucking good, and this is your first try. I… Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
When Blade took the pot off the burner, I pulled him around to face me.
“I love you.”
“I love you too, and I’m so proud of you. Carlo’s Coffee is just like you pictured it.”
“It is, and it’s wonderful, but nothing, no store, no job, no dream becoming a reality can compare to you loving me like you do.” I glanced at the pastina. “You made my favorite food when you don’t even like to cook. I’m not sure you know how much this means to me.”
Blade gave me a gentle kiss. “I think I have an idea. Let’s sit down and eat before it gets cold.”
I’d thought I was too exhausted for anything but eating and going to sleep, but Blade’s gesture had reinvigorated me. “After we eat, I’ll show you just how much I love you.”
Blade grinned. “That sounds perfect.”