Epilogue
CASH
IKNOW, I know,” I say to the camera.
It’s already locked in the perfect shot. I lean forward, hands on the counter, and grin.
“It’s been a while since I’ve done a live. Don’t start yelling at me.”
Morning light cuts through the kitchen windows of our condo.
Our condo.
I love the sound of that.
“Before anyone asks”—I point a wooden spoon at the camera—“yes, pants are still optional on Saturdays. Some traditions survive success.”
Comments start flying.
Chef is back.
WE MISSED NAKED BAKING
Is Shay there????
I chuckle and knead the first stick of butter into the sugar. “She stepped out—coffee run. Threatened my life if I started the live without her, but here we are. Living dangerously.”
I glance at the clock.
Perfect timing.
She’ll be home as soon as the cupcakes are done. Hopefully, before she even has a chance to glare at me for starting without her.
“But listen. Today, we’re making a special red velvet dessert and have an announcement. But not until Shay is back.”
I wink.
“So let’s get baking. Because my special someone’s coming home soon, and I need these ready for her.”
The class flies by. It always does. Time bends when I’m baking. One minute, I’m cracking eggs; the next, everything smells like sugar and heat and home.
I finish folding in the remaining dry ingredients until the batter turns silky and glossy. The batter smells like sweet vanilla—just like Shay.
I scoop it into little paper cups and slide the tray into the oven. Timer set, heat rising, golden promise in the making.
I glance at the camera again, winking. “Alright, team, here’s the plan. Shay’s coming home soon, and I need these cupcakes ready before she even knows what’s coming. So we’re racing the clock, making magic, and—” I pause, grinning—“this is an announcement you won’t want to miss.”
Comments explode:
What announcement???
SHAY IS GOING TO DIE!
Spill it, Chef.
I laugh, shaking my head. “Patience. You’ll see. For now—get ready to witness the perfect Saturday class.”
We make the whipped cream frosting as the cupcakes bake. I add a little beet juice to color the whipped cream a blush pink.
When the timer dings, I pull the cupcakes out. They’re golden and sweet-smelling.
“I’m just going to stick one in the fridge to cool down so the icing doesn’t melt off when I apply it.”
My fingers are shaking.
Excitement. Nerves. It all knots tight in my gut.
Fifteen minutes later, the front door opens. The quiet click I know better than my own heartbeat.
My whole body goes still.
Chat explodes.
IS THAT HER??
Hi Shay.
WE LOVE YOU, SHAY!!
“It’s her. She’s here. It’s her.” I’m not sure if I’m saying it for them or for me.
She appears in the doorway. Jeans molded to her hips, and one corner of her T-shirt tucked into her waistband. Coffee in one hand and sunglasses pushed up in her hair.
My chest actually tightens.
Then her gaze drags slowly down my body—slow, shameless, appreciative.
I forget what I'm doing.
What day it is.
My own name.
Then I remember the live and snap my fingers. “Right. Okay. Focus. I started the live.”
She steps in, a little pout, arms crossed. “You started without me?” She’s mock-scolding, but her smile gives her away.
“Yes, but I had a good reason.” I open the fridge.
“We’ll see about that.” She steps in front of the cameras. “Hey, everyone. Tell me what he’s done.” She leans in to read the comments. “Zoe says you started baking right after I left.”
“Stop reading those.” I fill the piping bag with pink whipped cream.
“Jaclyn says you turned around again and flashed your ass.” She flashes me a smile over her shoulder.
“By accident.”
“Uh-huh.” She turns back to the screen.
“Stop reading those.”
“Nettie asked you to do it again.”
“Come now, Nettie,” I grumble. “I’m a taken man.”
Shay leans in closer. “Don’t you worry, Nettie,” she whispers, but not quite enough; I don’t hear. “I got you.”
Good Lord, she’s worse than they are.
“Zara says you have an announcement. And cupcakes were needed.”
I grab her arms and pull her away from the screen to face me.
“Hold this.” I hand her the cupcake. “Wow, ladies. Whose side are you on?”
“They’re on mine.” Shay smiles, and I kiss her lips.
“I know.” I clap my hands. “Alright. Announcement. Surprise. Before we do that, you have to taste my Red Velvet Whipped Tease.”
“Whipped tease? I like the sound of this.”
Her eyes widen as I swirl the whipped cream on the top.
“There better be a beater for me to lick after this.”
Jesus. She’s trying to kill me on my own live.
“Only if you behave.”
She bites her lower lip as I pipe the final dollop. “Just how I like it.” She leans in to take a bite, and I pull it out of her reach.
“It’s not ready yet.” I slowly set edible rose petals on top in a perfect design.
“Now?”
I shake my head. “One final touch.” My hand slips into my apron pocket. Cold metal presses against my fingers.
“Just for you, baby.”
Her eyes follow my hands, and I watch her as I push the bottom of the ring into the mountain of icing, the diamond glinting.
Her gasp fills the condo and the notifications for my live go wild.
“Shay, will you marry me?”
She nods, laughter and tears mingling. “Yes! Oh my God, yes!”
“Yes?”
“Yes!”
I scoop her into my arms, spinning her—careful of the cupcake, careful of the ring.
“We’re engaged!” I tell the live.
The comments explode:
SHE SAID YES
CHEF + SHAY = heart
Naked baking forever!!!
I press a kiss to her temple, holding her close, and whisper, “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
I slide the ring onto her finger, icing slick between our hands.
“It’s beautiful.”
“You’re beautiful.” I bring her finger to my mouth and lick the icing.
She gasps, then grins wickedly.
Before I can react, she scoops a swipe of frosting and smears it across my bare chest.
“Shay—”
She licks it off slowly.
The chat absolutely loses its mind.
OMG! They’re so cute!
CHEF + SHAY = UNSTOPPABLE
Let me see his ass!
I choke. “We’re still live—”
She tugs playfully at my apron strings, and I end up presenting more than I intend.
“Oops,” she says sweetly to the camera. “You’re welcome, Nettie.”
The comments go feral.
I haul her over my shoulder, laughing. “Live is over.”
I click it off and carry her to our bedroom.
THE END