Epilogue
MADDIE
My heart fluttered as the first notes of the wedding march filled the small church and wrapped around me like a big, happy hug.
With my grin stretching wider, I slowly pushed to my feet.
But instead of watching the bride walking down the aisle, my gaze traveled to the man standing next to the groom.
The one who looked way too damn sexy for his own good. And who apparently found me more interesting than the vision floating toward them. You'd think after being on the receiving end of that dark intense stare for over a year, I'd be used it.
I wasn't.
Not even close.
Honestly, I couldn't imagine a day where one look from Adam wouldn't have heat rushing through my veins or the butterflies in my stomach taking flight. And I was completely okay with that.
Like it had done a million times before we'd arrived at the church, his gaze leisurely swept up and down the length of my body before he subtly patted his pants' pocket. The one he'd stuffed my panties into after not-so-delicately removing them before we left the hotel room.
His lips twitched before curving upward in one of those I-can't-hide-how-happy-I-am smiles. He'd been doing a lot of that lately. Especially after he took a position at Clearwater Bay Fire Department. I loved seeing him like this. Loved how comfortable he'd gotten in his own skin.
I just loved him.
I was still getting lost in Adam's eyes when the beautiful bride reached her destination and we were prompted to sit down. As wonderful as the ceremony was, it was always the best man who stole my attention.
And when Mr. and Mrs. Gallagher finally said their I do's and rushed toward the exit, I hurried toward Adam.
"Hi." His strong arms wrapped around me, tugging me closer.
I tilted my head back to look into his eyes. "Hi, yourself."
The way he smiled down at me filled me with so much happiness, I thought I might burst from sheer pressure of it. Adam's dark head stooped to run his nose along mine. "Wanna take a walk with me?"
"Aren't you supposed to be taking photos with the wedding party."
"Mmm mmm." His lips touched the corner of my mouth sending a delicious shiver down my spine. "We took a ton before the ceremony. I'm all photoed out." He pulled back and pinned me with a stare that had my blood turning to lava. "Besides I want to steal a few moments alone with you."
My brow arched. "To return my underwear?"
"Oh no. The only thing covering that part of you will be my mouth." Before I even had time to say anything to that, he grabbed my hand and started walking toward the side exit.
Once outside an endless stretch of green hills greeted us. The moment we'd arrived in the small Irish town two nights ago, I'd fallen in love. I couldn't wait to come back and explore.
Still holding onto my hand, Adam turned left, taking us away from the overexcited guests gushing over the bride and groom. It wasn't long before we reached the edge of the cliff overlooking the town.
With a happy sigh, I wrapped my free hand around Adam's thick bicep and leaned my head against his shoulder. As beautiful and peaceful as the landscape was, it had nothing on the feeling I felt standing there next to the man I loved.
The man that would catch me every single time I fell.
Adam pressed a soft kiss to the top of my head before he detangled himself from my hold and wordlessly dropped down on one knee.
My heart picked up speed, furiously slamming against my ribs. Was he…? I got my answer when he reached into his back pocket and pulled out a little velvet box.
Instantly, my hands flew to my face and yelled out, "Yes!" before he could utter a single word .
Those dark eyes narrowed in my direction, lips curving upward as he dryly remarked, "I haven't asked yet."
Unable to contain my excitement, I hopped from one foot to the other. "I know. Sorry." Scrunching up my nose, I squeaked out, "You can ask now."
With a soft chuckle, he shook his head. "The moment is kind of gone." Bracing one hand on his knee, he pushed to his feet. I was wrapped up in his strong arms barely a second later. "So you wanna spend the rest of your life with me?"
My hands smoothed up his chest and over those massive shoulders. "I thought you'd never ask."
He graced me with the most brilliant smile right before he crashed his mouth to mine and stole the breath from my lungs.
Yeah, I had no doubt I was going to be living my best damn life.
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"Well, that's just great."
Scrunching up my nose, my angry glare flicked between my hand and kitchen bench. Or more specifically, the sticky white stuff covering both.
With a shake of my head, I muttered, "Who knew such a tiny hole could produce such a big mess. I mean, really." Still shaking my head, I swiped my clean index finger through the gloop on the bench before sticking said finger into my mouth. "Mmm, at least it tastes good."
Actually, it tasted better than good. It might have even been the best batch of elderflower frosting I'd made. And now no one was going to get to taste it.
Giving the mess one last longing look, I spun around to wash my hands.
I'd made it three steps when my dress's hidden pocket started buzzing obnoxiously. My poor heart almost gave out. Because I was incapable of thinking through the wild thundering behind my ribs, I smacked my dirty palm against my chest.
Slowly removing my hand, I eyed the white stain on my right boob before throwing my head back and shooting daggers at the ceiling. "Are you freaking kidding me right now?"
In all honesty, I probably should have known better than to try to get in a little baking two hours before I had to meet my date. I'd just been so damn inspired to try out the new recipe I'd come up with.
Pear muffins with a generous amount of frosting squeezed into the center.
It would've been so perfect with an elderflower gin cocktail.
What wasn't perfect was my little black dress with a palm-sized smudge on it.
The stupid buzzing finally died down long enough for me to start walking again. My relief was short-lived because yet again I only made it a few steps before the thing started up.
Muttering a few very unladylike curses under my breath, I fished out my phone.
My BFF's name flashing in big bold letters.
With a quick flick of my thumb, I swiped the green button and held the device against my ear.
"This better be good, Maddie-Cakes. I just made my boob sticky, and it's all your fault. "
There were a few seconds of silence before, "Where are you?" her tone was serious, too serious. No, not serious, scared. My friend sounded scared.
"At the bakery, why?"
A shaky breath filtered through the line. "Oh, no. Frankie, please get out of there. Right now."
"What? Why?" I could hear her pacing through the phone. "Maddie, what's going on?"
"Adam just called. Mr. Hamilton's shop caught fire and they're struggling to put it out.
He's worried because the buildings are so close together the fire will spread too fast." Another shaky breath reached my ears.
"Frankie, please get out of there. Sugar Booger is four shops away from the drycleaner. "
Maddie sounded so scared, and that made me scared too. "I'm going."
"Okay, good. Call me when you're home so I'll know you're safe."
"Promise."
I shoved my phone back into my pocket with every intention of turning around and marching my butt out of the bakery. Until I saw the muffins sitting pretty on the bench. The bench still covered in frosting from when the piping bag's seam gave out.
I couldn't leave my kitchen like that.
Moving as fast as I could, I snatched a rag and cleaner from the sink and tidied up my work space. The pungent smell of smoke hitting my nostrils as I packed the muffins in an airtight container.
Shit, that was fast.
Panic clawed at my throat and I walked as fast as my feet would allow. All I needed was to get the muffins to the storeroom and then get the hell out of there. I should've known better because all signs pointed to it not being my day.
In my hurried state, I kicked the stopper holding the door open. I spun around, but the door had already clicked shut.
"No, no, no."
My heart flatlined for a nanosecond before it slammed against my ribs like a wild beast trying to make an escape. The walls started shifting, steadily closing in on me. This couldn't be happening.
One hand reached for the handle while the other furiously rubbed at my neck, desperately trying to get air to my lungs.
I needed to breathe. If only the damn door would open, and the walls would stop moving. My lips parted to call for help. Only no sound came. Nothing but the deafening thumps of my heart.
I tried the handle again, but whatever I did made my world spin. Around and around until up was down and right was left. My head connected with something hard; cold sensations traveled along my skin.
My lids felt heavy; keeping them open near impossible. Maybe I had time to close my eyes, just for a few minutes, until the world stopped going around and around.
I let out a breath, allowing my body to give into the tiredness. It was so calm and peaceful until I was viciously pulled from my state of bliss.
My eyes flew open, my entire body shaking as I furiously coughed up fire from my lungs. There were people—an EMT and a firefighter—in front of me desperately trying to get a mask to my face, but all I could see was the smoke billowing out of the building.
My building.
No. Oh, please no.
I needed to get inside, to save what was left of my bakery. In one quick move, I jumped up and darted for the entrance of Sugar Booger. I didn't make it very far when a strong arm snaked around my waist and yanked my back against a wall of hard muscles.
"You can't go in there."
The moment he spoke, every muscle in my body tensed. Because it might've been more than a decade, but I'd never forget that voice. It was one I both longed to hear and loathed at the same time.
Gage freaking Calloway.
I had no idea how I managed it, but I spun around and poked him in the chest. "You can't tell me what to do." Well, he probably could.
He stood stock-still for a few long seconds, and because he was still wearing his gear, I had no idea what his face was doing behind that mask. That was until he whipped the thing off.
One look at his face and my lungs collapsed in one big whoosh, leaving me with another coughing fit that had nothing to do with the smoke I'd inhaled. Hair wet and disheveled. Face sweaty and covered in soot. And yet, he was still the most beautiful man in my world.
My fingers tingled, remembering the feel of his whiskers beneath my touch. The way he held me. The words he'd whispered in my ear that night.
No.
Nope.
There was no way in hell I was going there. Not going to happen. Because as far as I was concerned that night I offered up my v-card didn't exist anymore.
"You have to go to the hospital to get checked out," he said. "We don't know how much smoke got into your lungs while you were passed out in the storeroom." He took a step forward and reached for me. "Come on."
I smacked his hand away. "I can walk by myself, thank you." To prove it, I lifted my chin and sauntered back to the open ambulance. I might've put an extra sway in my hips too. The EMT who tried to give me oxygen earlier helped me into the back and onto the waiting gurney.
I'd never admit it out loud while Gage was within earshot, but my chest did feel as if the gates of hell had opened and spilled out into my lungs. Getting it checked out was certainly the best course of action.
Laying back, I closed my eyes and waited for the ambulance to start moving. I could hear Gage and the EMT talk about something, but their voices were too muffled for me to make out.
A few seconds later the vehicle shook as someone climbed in, followed by the doors slamming shut.
Eyes still closed, I asked, "Are we off?"
"We sure are."
My eyes flew open as I jerked into a seated position to find Gage hovering over my gurney. I gave him my best piss-off glare. "What the hell are you doing?"
Slowly, he inched closer. One corner of his mouth hitched up, making his stupid dimple pop. Oh, how wonderful it would've been to smack that smirk off his annoyingly sexy face. I wanted to do it so badly. Almost as much as I wanted him to stop leaning forward.
But of course, he didn't stop. Not until he was right up in my space, green eyes piercing into mine. "I just saved your life, Baker. You can say thank you now."
I didn't think it was possible, but I narrowed my eyes even more. Lifting my hand, I gave his cheek two taps before shoving my middle finger in the space between us. "There's your thank you, asshole."
Gage's eyes flicked to my finger before locking onto mine again. He studied me long and hard, making my skin prickle with unwanted awareness. Awareness that dissolved the instant he threw his head back and laughed.
"Still as feisty as I remember."
Not giving two shits that I was flipping him off, he patted the spot above my knee twice before parking his ass and leaning back against the inside of the ambulance.
As we steadily began to move, I knew two things for certain:
I was going to be so late for my date.
Gage Calloway needed to stay as far away from me as humanly possible.