Page 48 of Win a Date with a Baker

As for me... Somehow, the girl who thought the safe corporate job was the responsible choice now spends her days elbow-deep in dough, arguing with suppliers, balancing payroll, creating seasonal flavors, and occasionally reminding my boyfriend that sleep is, in fact, a biological necessity.

I finally found my place.

Tyler bumps my shoulder. “Hey.”

“Hmm?”

“I’ve been working on something.”

Excitement flutters inside of me. “Oh?”

“I was thinking...” He suddenly looks almost nervous. “...I’d like to add something new to the menu.”

My eyebrows shoot up. “You? Adding something new?”

“What can I say?” He shrugs. “I’ve experienced personal growth.”

“I’ll believe it when I see it.”

He smiles. “Come with me.”

He takes my hand. We weave through the kitchen. Toward the decorating station.

The lights are off.

I frown. “Tyler?”

“One second.”

He flips a switch. Soft golden light floods the room. Candles. Dozens of them, come alive.

My heart immediately starts racing. In the center worktable sits one white bakery box. Tied with a pale pink ribbon.

I look back at him. “What is this?”

He smiles nervously. “Open it.”

My hands are suddenly shaking as I untie the ribbon. Lift the lid.

Inside are four donuts in my favorite brown butter maple.

Each one has a single word piped across the top:WILLYOUMARRYME?

My brain completely forgets how words work.

Very quietly, Tyler says, “I thought about writing it on one donut.”

I look up. He gives a tiny shrug.

“But we’ve established I’m better with more.”

A laugh escapes me. Immediately followed by tears.

“Oh no.” He reaches for me. “I made you cry.”

“They’re happy tears.” I look back down at the donuts. “You made these?”

“Started at three this morning.”