“You’ve done amazing things for so many independent businesses,” I say. Because it’s true. She’s always focused on new products or start-ups, giving preference to smaller companies trying to find their footing. A recommendation from someone like Tori creates buzz and awareness. It’s a powerful marketing tool.

“So have you.” Tori smiles like she’s in on a secret.

“I’m sorry, I don’t think I understand.” I glance between her and Ronan.

“All of this…” Tori motions to the businesses setting up for the day, at the decorations that line the street.

“You’re the one who made this happen, Blaire,” Ronan says.

“It was your idea, though.”

“I just made a suggestion. You’re the one who ran with it and made it reality. I was just a bystander taking orders from the cupcake queen.” He smiles down at me, his expression reflecting so many emotions. The most dominant is pride and it makes my heart swell.

“I just wanted us to have a fighting chance, and the best way to do that was to band together,” I explain.

“And you were absolutely right to do that. I wanted to make sure that all the right people could be here to see it happen, so I talked to Tori.”

I’m sure my confusion is clear on my face.

“Ronan thought it would be a good idea to showcase not just The Knight Cap but the entire community here, since you’re all so involved with each other,” Tori says. “It’s amazing to see so many businesses come together instead of making rivals of each other. I thought it was a fantastic idea, so I made some calls and explained what was going on, and of course I needed Ronan’s help to make it happen.”

“Which is why you’ve been MIA the past couple of days,” I whisper. I feel awful for assuming the worst, although to be fair I’ve had my share of being burned.

“I know I kind of left you in the lurch, but I wanted to make sure I could pull this off. That we could pull this off.” He motions between himself and Tori.

Ronan forfeited his spotlight so we could all benefit, and here I was, thinking he was out to screw me over. I wave my hand in front of my face, trying to control the emotions, which apparently want to leak out of my eyes in the form of tears.

He pulls me against him and dips his head down so his lips are at my ear. “Are these happy tears?”

“So happy,” I mumble against his chest. My boyfriend is the best.

There are lines out the door all day, which is fantastic. I almost pass out from shock when my family shows up late in the afternoon. My parents, aunt, uncle, Maddy, and Skylar sort of suck the air out of the place with their presence. They’re dressed up like they’re going to a diamond-level restaurant, but then, my family loves to make a statement. And I suppose I’m no different with the way I dress.

“What are you guys doing here?” I peel off my latex gloves and toss them in the trash. Wiping my hands on my apron, I round the display case so I can air-kiss them.

“Your boyfriend called and said you were hosting an event and that it would be great if we could come out and see what you’ve accomplished,” my mom says.

“This place is so cute!” Maddy says.

“It really is,” Skylar agrees, albeit reluctantly.

My dad pulls me in for a hug. “This really is incredible, Blaire. You’ve done amazing things, and all on your own.”

“I didn’t do it all on my own. Ronan was a lot of help with the event.” Minus the past couple of days, but clearly he’s forgiven for that.

“I mean with this place.” My dad motions to the line of people waiting for cupcakes and cocktails—or mocktails, since there are loads of families at the event. It’s standing room only, with customers ordering cupcakes to go so they can sample more vendors. “You followed your dream, and you did it on your own. I’m proud of you, honey.”

I get misty-eyed at the praise and the acknowledgment that this accomplishment is well and truly mine.

My jaw nearly hits the floor when they all try a cupcake and a cocktail. Even Maddy and Skylar—although they both talk about the two-hour run plus detox they’re going to have to endure because of the single cupcake they consumed.

My dad mingles with everyone, happy to tell them that he’s my father and that I inherited my excellent business sense and my baking skills from him.

By the time we close the doors, the only thing that’s left are a pair of lonely Death by Chocolate cupcakes.

I bring them next door to The Knight Cap, where the band has already started playing. Ronan and I are going to be dead on our feet by the time the bar closes, but we’re taking a day off after all of this is over, so we should be able to catch up on some much-needed sleep and some alone time.

I spot Gramps sitting at the end of the bar, nursing a pint of Guinness. When he sees me, a huge grin lights up his face. I give him a hug from the side and shout over the noise. “Having fun?”

“I sure am. This is the busiest I’ve seen this place in a long time. Dottie would be proud ’a both of you.” He thumbs over to the band. “But I gotta be honest, this just sounds like noise. Gonna finish my pint and head home.”

“Want dessert with that?” I flip open the lid on the box.

“You don’t have to ask me twice.” He winks and takes one.

I leave him to his pint and I sidle up next to Ronan behind the bar. “Gramps is having a great time.”

He glances down at my feet, but doesn’t comment on my lack of proper footwear. “I’m impressed that he’s still here. I would have thought he’d bail so he doesn’t miss the late night rerun of Jeopardy.”

“Thank goodness for DVR, I guess. Did he used to watch it with Dottie?”

“Every night at seven thirty. They’d compete to see who could answer the most questions correctly.”

“Did they keep score?”

“Sure did.”

“He must miss her so much.”

Ronan nods. “He does. We both do. But I think I’d rather have someone to miss than never have the opportunity to witness that kind of devotion. They were each other’s everything.”

“Makes it tough to settle for anything less, I would think.” I tip my chin up, overwhelmed by the sudden surge of emotion. I don’t really know what it’s like to watch a love like that. My parents are the most unconventional people I know, and the idea of finding a soul mate seemed elusive.