Kiss My Cupcake(83)

“Can you stop saying things that make me turn red?”

“Your cheeks will match the hearts on your dress.” He smiles against my lips and then backs up so I can see his face. “I’m sorry I haven’t been around the last couple of days, but now you know why.”

“I’m confused as to what all is happening here. Is that Thom Thomas from channel five?”

“It is.”

“And Claudia Carmichael from Food and Drink?”

“You’re correct. Come on, let me introduce you.” Ronan threads his fingers through mine.

“Do I look okay?” I smooth my hand down the front of my dress.

“You look good enough to eat, remember?” He tugs on my hand and brings me over to the group of media professionals. People I’ve watched on TV for years, and they’re here because of Ronan. “This is Blaire Calloway. She’s the reason all of this is happening.”

I want to argue since he was the one who suggested the street party, but I’m suddenly shaking hands with all these influential people. Tori extends her hand. “It’s so great to see you again, Blaire. I think what you’re doing here is amazing. I’m a big advocate for small business owners.”

“Your parents started Organically Yours,” I mention.

“That’s right, back when I was just a kid. I know how hard they worked to promote their business and stay current and relevant, which is how I ended up here.”

“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.”