Chapter 19
When they woke the next morning, wrapped in each other’s arms, Milly had to remember to breathe.
Theo’s eyes were softly shut, his breathing rhythmic and gentle, and she’d never felt more at peace, more at home, or more where she was supposed to be, and it wasn’t just the canal house, or the city, it was Theo.
Theo felt like home in a way Tom never had.
In a way most guys never had. While she’d thought herself in love with Tom, she realised now that they’d lacked the special connection she had with Theo.
It was a cliché, but she did feel like she’d found a piece of herself.
Like she was somehow more complete when she was with him.
Her heart ached at the thought of the ticking clock on their relationship, but she pushed it aside and instead concentrated on his deep, sleepy breathing, matching it and letting it calm her too.
Knowing she wouldn’t get back to sleep, Milly picked up her phone and checked her socials, delighted to see that she had not only hit half a million followers, she’d now surpassed it.
Her DMs were full of messages congratulating her along with more stories of success from her community.
One woman had finally paid off her debt thanks to Milly’s money-saving hacks and another had managed to redecorate her son’s bedroom on a budget thanks to the advice Milly had given on how to hire the right person for the right job.
As she lay in bed, her head on Theo’s chest, her heart rate matching his, the most overwhelming feeling of contentment filled her.
She thought again about moving into consulting using the skills she’d learned in her day job, with an added element of social media coaching.
After all, it was a key part of modern business in her opinion.
She loved that she was helping to change Theo’s café and there was no reason she couldn’t do that for others.
It was also something she could do from Copenhagen.
The idea sent a shiver of excitement into her nerves, and she snuggled closer.
After a moment, she adjusted her position and checked the café’s socials.
The announcement of all the cooking festival events had gone out and she could already see they’d had at least a thousand new followers.
There were even some comments on the different videos she’d posted.
She clicked on the one of Theo kneading dough, remembering what an intimate moment that had turned into.
Reading the comments about Theo and how handsome he was made her more than a little jealous and she told herself to stop being silly.
He was hers and she was his. But only for a while unless she could convince him they could go long distance, or she made a more permanent change.
After the hints he’d given her over things that had happened before, she didn’t think he’d be up for long distance.
In fact, she thought it would have the opposite effect and make him shut down.
He’d be further away from her emotionally and physically.
Deep down, she knew the only way they had a future was if she stayed, but she wasn’t Ada.
She wasn’t brave enough to turn her life upside down.
Theo groaned sleepily before stretching his solid, sturdy body. When he realised she was still there, next to him, he smiled.
‘Good morning,’ she murmured.
‘Hej. You’re awake already.’
‘I’d have thought you’d be awake before me given you’re the baker.’
He pulled her close again. ‘I was very happy and comfortable.’
Was he? Happy, that was? She hoped so. She’d never been happier or felt anything like this. ‘So what are you doing today?’ she asked as he sleepily kissed the top of her head.
‘My usual. I need to test some recipes for the open sandwiches. I have some flavour combinations in mind, but I’d like your opinion on them. There’s no point coming to the café until later though when I’ve made them, unless you want to.’
‘No, that works for me. I have some research I want to do.’ She could look into how she’d go about setting up a business in Copenhagen, just out of interest. ‘I was thinking we should probably set a budget for the cooking festival, so we need to discuss that too.’
His body relaxed a little and she placed her head on his chest again. ‘Once I’ve finished my testing and confirmed the different menus it’ll be easier.’ His fingers traced the back of her arm, feeling a patch of scarred skin.
‘Why do you have these?’ he asked gently, his eyes still closed as they lay together.
‘Just an accident when I was younger,’ she replied, refusing to let her thoughts linger there. Not when she’d woken so peacefully. She’d tell him soon about it all but not yet. It was too early and they were only just getting started.
She could get used to waking each day like this, but there was work to do if they were to continue turning the café around. The cooking festival was only one element, as was social media.
‘Come on then, lazybones,’ she said as the sun shone brightly through her window.
She hadn’t even had chance to close the curtains last night and as she lifted herself to see the beautiful view of the Copenhagen skyline, Theo pulled her backwards kissing her passionately.
Oh well, she thought. A small delay wouldn’t hurt, would it?
When Milly got to the café, she was delighted to see it was busier than it ever had been before. Tables inside and out were full of customers and Theo was frantically trying to keep up with the queue. Without thinking, she chucked her bag behind the counter and got to work.
‘What can I do?’ she asked Theo.
The relief in his eyes made her body warm from the inside. ‘I’ve lost track of who wanted what. It’s never been this busy before. Can you go around and check?’
She nodded, grabbed a notepad and began taking orders.
‘I don’t think I’ll have enough cardamom buns; they’re today’s special.’
‘How long will it take to make some more?’
‘Not long. I have the dough ready, I just hadn’t got around to shaping and baking them.’
‘Well, if you get on with that, I can make the coffees and serve as many other people as possible.’
The onslaught of customers didn’t stop for more than an hour.
Theo spent the whole time baking while Milly was pinned to the coffee machine.
Luckily, she’d had enough practice by now that she made a decent cup.
They worked in unison, like a well-oiled machine, understanding what the other needed and doing it without asking, and the customers were happy too.
Even the ones who had to wait a little longer for cardamom buns didn’t complain and were almost excited to have the most freshly made pastries.
Again, she wondered if this was the hygge way of life Denmark was famous for.
You wouldn’t normally find people so patient; everyone always seemed to be rushing.
Eventually, when everyone was served, she sat down.
Her feet ached, the café’s stocks were depleted but her smile was wide.
Theo was just finishing a batch of raspberry slices known as hindbaersnitte and putting the finishing touches to the day’s open sandwich specials of ham and asparagus, and he came to join her for a few minutes of quiet.
‘That was the best morning I’ve ever had. It was a good job you arrived when you did. If it carries on like that I might need to get some help.’
‘Maybe one day, but for now, we need to make a proper budget for the cooking festival.’
‘Great,’ he replied, eking out the word, his tone flat and teasing. ‘That sounds like fun.’
She cocked her head. ‘It might not be fun, but it’s necessary. We can do it tonight after dinner. And if you’re really good—’ she stood and wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him gently ‘—we can celebrate a job well done afterwards.’
‘Oh really?’ He pulled her to him, returning her kiss was a passion that made her whole body hum.
From the corner of her eye, she saw more customers milling around outside and released herself from Theo’s firm, delicious grip. ‘Come on, you do the food, and I’ll do the coffee.’
Later, after they’d thrashed out a working budget, Milly settled back into the pillows on her bed, her phone propped up and Ada’s face staring back at her.
The evening sun was streaming in through the window, the Copenhagen skyline lit with a warming glow and down below she could hear people swimming in the canal.
In contrast, Ada was in her tent, snuggled in thick clothes to keep her warm, but her eyes were bright and her smile as wide as ever.
‘You’ve never looked so happy,’ Ada exclaimed. ‘Copenhagen suits you.’
‘It’s not just Copenhagen,’ Milly began tentatively, holding herself back.
And it wasn’t just Theo either. It was the things she’d learned about herself, and about what she wanted from her life.
The idea of returning to the consulting firm she’d worked for was becoming less and less appealing, but the idea of doing what she’d done for the café was growing.
She wanted to help people. Just the idea of it gave her a sense of satisfaction that nothing else ever had professionally speaking.