Page 108 of Anteros' Return

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It had been almost a week and Beckett was a lot more secretive than usual. I brushed it off, putting it down to football related things since he was still attending physio and medicals.

“Em, are you ready?” Beck called from the bottom of the stairs.

I checked myself over in the mirror once more, not having a clue what to wear since Beckett had been very hush-hush about this whole outing. Jeans, a turtle neck, and knee-high boots seemed the way to go on this occasion.

I left our bedroom and met Beck at the bottom of the stairs, who was dressed similarly.

“Hey, beautiful.” He rested his hands on my waist, kissing me softly. “Are you ready?”

“I would be if I knew where we were going,” I teased, hoping he’d give in and tell me.

“Nice try, but I’ve kept it a secret this long, I don’t plan on ruining it now.” He beamed, barely able to contain his excitement which only filled my stomach with more butterflies than before. “Let’s go, we can walk.”

“Alright.” Walking distance… Okay, now I was even more intrigued.

He took my hand, leading me from the house and down the familiar roads we walked millions of times. His ear to ear smile didn’t falter once.

“What’s got you smiling this much?” I asked as he stopped me before we reached the corner of the row of shops.

“I need to blindfold you now, okay?” He held up a black satin piece of fabric between his fingers, catching my attention.

“What is going on, Beck?” I glanced from him to the blindfold multiple times.

“Just trust me, okay?” He smiled, stepping closer to me to secure the fabric over my eyes.

“I trust you.” I took his hand as he led me down the road a little farther, everything pitch black. I put my trust in him as we came to a stop somewhere. I heard a lock turn as he helped me over the threshold.

“Okay, stop there,” he said, leaving me standing alone for a moment as it sounded like he was flicking on some lights. He took a deep breath and slowly removed the blindfold as my eyes became accustomed to the light.

I stood there, frozen in disbelief, my heart pounding in my chest. The sunlight streamed through the expansive floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a warm glow across the polished hardwood floors.Wait a minute…I was standing in the very building I had been dreaming of purchasing for months. The realisation struck like a bolt of lightning. He had bought it.But how did he know my plans?

I turned around slowly, my eyes wide with amazement as I absorbed every detail of the space. The exposed brick walls, the sleek modern fixtures, and the open-concept design. It was as if I had stepped directly into my carefully curated Pinterest board. Each element seemed to echo my deepest desires, and I couldn'twrap my mind around the fact that he had made this dream a reality for me.

A sleek, marble countertop stretched across one side of the room, ready to display the pastries I had yet to create. Elegant pendant lights hung from the ceiling, their soft glow reflecting off the glass cases that would soon hold delicate confections. The shelves were lined with jars and canisters, waiting to be filled with flour, sugar, and all the ingredients that would bring what was once just a dream to life. Beckett had even included the cozy corner idea I had saved with the plush chairs and small, round tables, perfect for customers to relax and enjoy their delicacies. It was everything I had imagined and more. A space filled with promise and potential.And it wasours.

“Beckett, you did this for me?” I wept, but these tears were all happy ones. This man had continued to surprise me time and time again, but this time was something I never expected.

“Of course. You need to know I’d do anything to see you happy, cupcake. I support any dream you have, and I will be with you every step of the way to make this a success, not that you need my help.” His faith in me was all I needed.

“But how did you know all of this?”

“Well, you can thank our son for that. He spilled all the details on your plan.” Beckett seemed so proud of everything as it unfolded.

“Of course, he did.” I ran my fingers along the marble countertop. This man had spared no cost when it came to this building. “Beck, this is too much.”

“Nothing is too much when it comes to you. Everything I have is yours.” He stood in front of me, a proud smile curling at his lips, his eyes warm and full of love. My heart swelled with emotion, gratitude overflowing like a river. Without a second thought, I stepped closer to him, my hands reaching up to cup his face. His skin was warm beneath my fingertips. I leaned in,closing the small gap between us, and pressed my lips to his. The kiss was soft and tender, filled with unspoken thanks and promises. At that moment, everything was perfect.

We were perfect.

“Mum!” Liam shouted, bounding into the bakery, a gappy smile gracing his face. “Dad, did she love it?!” He jumped into Beckett’s arms as he admired the space. “Did you see the front?!”

“No, I didn’t. Can we go and see?” I asked as Beckett was already leading us outside where I saw my parents, Harry, Joanie and Rich.

He stood beside me, watching me intently as I glanced up at the sign. It was the same one I’d designed on my iPad. The same cupcake I’d drawn on Beckett’s leg years ago. Back then, it was a silly doodle, but as the years passed, I could never get that image out of my head—hence the logo. The nameWhimsical Bakeswas beautifully designed beneath the logo and my heart felt so incredibly full.

“Beckett, this is just… Perfect.” He wrapped his arm around my waist as Liam rested his head on my shoulder while Beckett held him in his arms.

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