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He looks around the shop now, taking in the display case and the menu on the wall.

"She did a good job."

"I agree. It’s what she always wanted."

He looks back at me. "Thank you for this. For helping her see her dream through. I didn’t see it at first. Beau did."

"She knew what she wanted. I mostly tried to stay out of her way."

He gives me a small smile. "She gets that from her mother."

Across the shop, Baylor moves the vase her mother has just repositioned.

We both watch her mom move it back.

"Yeah," I say. "I can see that."

"Anything I can do to help?" Beau asks me.

"Olsen could probably use some help with the drinks over at Ellie’s shop," I tell him.

"Do you think Ellie’s still mad at me about the hit against you? She’s scary when she’s pissed."

Ellie is probably the one who’s taken the most time to forgive Beau.

"I think you’re in the clear."

He nods and heads out.

Beau’s come up to Seattle from San Diego twice since I got back. The Blue Devils didn’t make it far in the playoffs and their season ended early, though they put up a big fight for the Stanley Cup. We’re making an effort to put the past behind us, and it’s getting easier.

As soon as Baylor turns the sign to OPEN, the place fills up.

Within twenty minutes, I’m refilling the water jug while her dad wipes down tables between customers and her mom replaces the napkins. Olsen and Beau barely get the drinks put away before Ellie sends them back for more.

Everybody has something to do. Every time I finish one thing, Baylor points me toward another, usually with a quick kiss if I get close enough.

People stop her to compliment the shop, ask about custom orders, and tell her they’ve been waiting for somewhere to sit and eat her cupcakes. She knows half of them by name. By the time they leave, I’m pretty sure she knows the rest.

She hasn’t stopped smiling since this morning.

I pause beside the counter with another stack of boxes and watch her show a little girl the cake pops. Her hair is coming loose, there’s frosting on her apron, and she’s explaining something with the same enthusiasm she had when she showed me around this place before there was anything in it.

Getting here was worth everything.

And when we turn off the lights tonight, I get to take her home, listen to her tell me about the parts I missed, and tuck her into bed beside me.

I still don’t know what happens with hockey.

But I’m staying in Seattle.

Baylor’s here. I’m home.

Epilogue

Baylor

Wolf has been on the ice for less than five minutes, and Ellie has already told me to sit down twice.