AllFreeNovel
Share Us
That line got me and my heart melted into an ooey, gooey puddle. “Quinn.”
I crossed to him, running my hand over his cheek. “I’m sorry, too. I should have told you about the Holden thing earlier. I wasn’t trying to hold back from you, I promise. But I should have told you sooner and for that I’m sorry.” I swallowed hard over the lump in my throat, praying he’d accept my apology.
Quinn put his hand on my hip, pulling me in close to him. “I don’t want you to go, Delaney. But if you do go, we can make this work.” He locked his grey eyes on mine, so sincere and serious, and every muscle in my body went weak. I sighed into the warmth of his body, all the fight rushing out of me.
“Really?”
“Really. That’s what I was trying to say. It just came out wrong.”
“I don’t want to leave. That’s whatIwas trying to say. I don’t need New York anymore. I thought I did, I thought that’s what I wanted. But I don’t. I want Peachtree Grove. I want you.” I gazed up at him, searching his face for answers.
Quinn didn’t say a word, he just dropped his lips onto mine and kissed me, long and hard and deep, until everything else melted into the background.
I knew right then and there I was finally home.
After a long while, I broke the kiss, looking up into his serious eyes. “I love you, Quinn McCauliffe.”
“I love you, Delaney Miller. I want you to have everything you’ve ever wanted. So if that means leaving here, let’s do it.”
“Let’s?” I asked, leaning back and looking up at him.
“Yes, let’s. Me and you. I hear they have fire stations in New York.”
I giggled. “They do. But I’m not going.”
“Are you sure?” Quinn asked, tucking a stray lock of hair behind my ear.
“I’m positive. Mars and I came up with another plan.”
“You did?”
“Mars is going. He’s going to open his own bakery, a sort of franchise of this one.Mars & Lanie-Midtown.I would need to head up there every once in a while to help out, especially in the beginning. But I’m where I need to be.”
Quinn kissed me again, so soft and tender I tingled all the way down to my toes.
“I like the sound of that,” Quinn said, his finger skimming my jawline.
“I do, too. No offense, but you look exhausted. Want to take a nap with me?”
A slow smile spread across Quinn’s face. “Aren’t you supposed to be working?”
“Mars can handle it for a bit. If he’s going to runMars & Lanie’s-Midtown, he needs the practice.”
Linking my fingers with his, I led him up the stairs to my apartment, kicking the door shut behind us.
28
Delaney
“That’s it. The last Christmas order, delivered. I think I know how Santa must feel on December twenty-fifth—I need a vacation!” Mars moaned, dropping the van keys on the bakery counter.
I giggled. “Well, rest up because January will be here before you know it. And that new bakery isn’t going to design itself!”
Mars shot me a slow smile, his chocolate eyes wide and sad.
“Don’t,” I whispered, unwanted tears pricking at my eyes. I’d already cried about Mars leaving several times this week.
Mars crossed to me, crushing me in a hug. “I’m going to miss you, Lanie.”
