Chapter 24
Over the next few months,Bishop’s bakery had become the talk of the town. Our unique blend of traditional baked goods and scrumptious pet treats had charmed the population of Serenity Falls. People even came from neighboring towns to try our mouth-watering delights. It was incredibly gratifying to see how our hard work brought joy to so many.
However, Sweet Sensations went from baking delicacies to facing the heat, all because of Maxwell’s love affair with gambling and fraudulent baking skills. Soon after, his bakery shut its doors. Turns out, like a cookie left too long in the oven, Maxwell crumbled under the pressure. Last I heard, he’d packed up and moved out of town, and no tears were shed at his departure.
And within this bakery, Lucia had finally accepted me, and we had become sort of friends. Not that we were exchanging BFF bracelets anytime soon, but I likened us to two cats in an alley, who’d stopped arching their backs long enough to give a curt nod before resuming their territory standoff.
Bishop had sent her and Jordan home early today, leaving us to finish closing up.
“Kenzi, could you pass me that pan?” Bishop asked, washing dishes at the sink.
“Sure thing, boss man.” I handed him several dirty trays.
He scrubbed away, soap bubbles floating around him. “I prefer ‘handsome, devoted boyfriend’ instead,” Bishop teased, then his expression grew serious. “Kenzi, promise me something.”
I grinned. “Anything, my handsome, devoted boyfriend.”
“That you won’t let me ever default back to that grouchy baker, who had too much pride to know when he had a good thing.” He placed a clean cake pan on the drying rack.
“Always.” I touched his forearm, my heart brimming with love.
The oven dinged, and I pulled a tray out. “Another batch of yummy pupcakes ready to go!”
“Perfect timing. Edward Macy called earlier to place an order for his dog’s birthday party.”
“We’re becoming a big hit with the fur-parents in town.”
He glanced at the wall clock. “It’s almost closing time.”
We finished cleaning the kitchen, then took off our aprons, preparing to go home. Bishop clasped my hand and led me toward the front, switching off lights as we went.
“Remember when we first met? I thought I was on a blind date and you assumed I was here for a job interview.”
He chuckled softly. “That was the day everything changed for me. I let this quirky, adorable girl into my bakery and my life.”
“And I let this gorgeous, but too serious baker, into mine.”
We locked the door and walked hand-in-hand through the streets of Serenity Falls. We had found something truly special—not just with our baking business, but in each other. After all, love was the sweetest ingredient.