Page 86 of Off-Limits Love
During the work to get the building ready, the Babes had stopped while out on a walk and inquired as to what the business would be. They’d kept Mak in baking mode ever since. Turns out Isla worked for Isabel—who was a Babe daughter. It was yet another connection to a community she hoped to belong to for a very long time.
Since then, she’d provided goodies for birthdays and anniversaries and family gatherings, and news of her creations had spread like wildfire. She’d also hired a part time person to help her.
“I’d better get started. It’s not a bakery unless it smells like cakes and cookies,” Mak said, thankful she’d prepped everything she could the night before so that she’d just have to bake today. Timers and alarms were key, she reminded herself. But so long as she had the first batches out before the city officials arrived, all would be well. “Sam, will you come inside and be my first customer?”
“You know I will,” the man said in a gruff tone filled with emotion. “I’m so proud of you, honey.”
She unlocked the door, and Hudson stepped up to push Sam’s wheelchair inside. Emi followed as did the rest of those present, but Finn snagged her hand and held her back.
“I’m proud of you, too. I love you, baby girl.”
She leaned against him and reveled in how safe she felt in his arms. “I love you. You know I couldn’t have done this without you, either.”
Finn leaned low and kissed her, the sweet caress turning into something headier by the time he let her come up for air.
She saw Hudson on the other side of the window snapping photos of them outside and laughed softly at his ornery grin.
“Marry me.”
Mak gasped and blinked up at Finn. Had she…imagined those words?
Finn held her gaze, his face serious and a bit flushed.
“There’s no rush if you need more time before we actually do it,” he said softly as he dropped down on one knee. “But I love you, and I know without a doubt that I want to spend my life with you. Will you marry me?”
Finn pulled the most beautiful ring from his pocket. She gasped when she saw it and held out a visibly trembling hand. “I didn’t think it was possible.”
“To love you?” Finn asked with a deep scowl.
“No! Not that,” she said, laughing and teary and just a hot mess of emotion.
“So does that mean…yes?” he asked with a frown.
Oh, the poor man. A laugh bubbled out of her. “Yes! Of course, I will marry you.”
Finn slid the ring into place before kissing her finger and straightening. A few more of his brothers stood across the street watching, phones up and trained in their direction as though they’d timed things perfectly in order to catch the moment.
“What did you think wasn’t possible?”
She stared at the man she loved and struggled to get her emotions under control. “That a perfect day could get even better. Iloveyou, Finn. I never this was how love was supposed to be. How it’s supposed to feel.”
Finn lowered his head for a blazing kiss, lifting her off her feet while the others inside and out wolf-whistled and applauded.
When Finn set her back down, she met Sam’s gaze and saw that he cried, tears running down his wrinkled face.
Thank you,she mouthed, making a point to glance up at Finn because without Sam’s offer to come stay with him, she might never have known this kind of love. The kind that’s precious and—returned without conditions or criticisms.
Finn accepted her as she was, flaws and all, just like she accepted him. No one was perfect, but she knew without a doubt Finn had her back. Just like she had his.
Sam nodded, swiped at his wet cheeks and murmured something she couldn’t hear. Whatever it was, it drew laughter from all of those waiting inside. “What do you think he said?”
Finn kissed the top of her head and gave her one more squeeze.
“Knowing Sam, he’s telling them the tale of how he told Max to wander off with Emi that first night just to get me over there so we’d meet.”
“And nearly get you arrested?” she asked wryly.
“The price of love,” he murmured near her ear. “But maybe I should pick up a pair of handcuffs and use them on you so you can share the experience.”
