Page 34

I told him we’d walk if he didn’t give my pregnant wife enough breaks to rest. I stand just off my mark on the floor of the Grizzly Grind’s back kitchen, feeling the heat of the lights and trying not to look like someone who’d rather be forty feet up a pole in a blizzard. Derick got his show, Mom got to keep her year-round harvest wreathes up, and Lila got her dream. But I’m the one who got everything.

Derick Voss brought half the Blind Date for Life crew to Passion Pines with him. He has the same too-short haircut, and coat that belongs in Los Angeles, but at least he has the decency to look sheepish when he catches my eye.

“Didn’t think I’d get you on a mark twice, Stone.”

“You’re getting me in my mother’s kitchen, on my wife’s show, not mine. Completely different scenario.”

He laughs. “Fair. But can you blame me? The wedding photos broke our server. The hometown lineman who helped his brother find true love falls in love with a charming comeback baker ... the comments section would’ve rioted if you weren’t in season one. You’re ratings gold, Stone.”

“One season,” I remind him, keeping my voice down. “Then you pack up this rodeo and leave my mountain alone.”

“You said that last February, standing right over there.”

“And my feelings haven’t changed.”

On set, Lila's in a different sweater but it clings the same way I remember from the first day she walked into this bakery. There’s flour on her wrist, right above the diamond on her left hand.

High Heat and Soft Crumb, the book she wrote after a video of her tasting pie custard went viral, paid for our Lake Como honeymoon. The publisher wanted a comeback story about the Palooza she lost; she gave them recipes instead, and it hit the bestseller list in March.

Now the whole town adores her. Even Mrs. Helmsley butters her up. But my family knew who she was from the start. We never gave a crap about some contest, and didn’t need months to know Lila was special and belonged with us. Of course, I was a goner from day one, even though I was too stubborn to admit it.

“We’re back in five,” someone in the crew calls out.

Lila peeks and finds me over the camera. That cocky Chicago smile she posted the day she arrived is back. It’s softer now, and she says it’s because of me, and how happy she is. Mine.

“Don’t scowl,” she mouths.

“I live here, it’s my right,” I mouth back, teasing her. I send her a wink and lick my lips, letting my eyes roam over her curves. She feels me staring, I can see it in the grin she’s fighting, and by how flustered she’s getting trying to tie her apron.

The set quiets and the camera operator points, giving the cue to Lila.

"Welcome back to Curvy Spice at the Grind," she says smoothly to the lens, delivering that irresistible smile like she was born for this.

“Today we’re baking my infamous Palooza pumpkin pie. This recipe is a winner you can serve any time of the year. Bring it to a Thanksgiving celebration and you’ll be the hit of the party. It’s an honest, straightforward pie, with a to-die-for crust and silky-as-sin custard. I’ll even give you the secret that will make your vanilla hum. And I brought reinforcements.” She tips her head toward me. “My husband thinks he’s only here to kiss me in the supply closet. He’s not wrong.” She grins. “But I need a little help first.”

The crew laughs as I step into the shot.

“Gideon Stone,” Lila introduces, handing me a bowl like we rehearsed this morning.

“Happy to assist.”

“He’s my official taste tester,” she informs the camera. “The unofficial reason I stayed on the mountain.”

I move closer with the bowl and crouch to her belly level. "I think we can call it official now, Mrs. Stone."

Lila laughs and gives me a kiss on the cheek. “Should we get started?”

“Only if you lead the way.”

She walks me through the puree, the browned-butter spices and the infusion. I listen to her instructions and follow along as best as I can. Derick says we’re the perfect yin and yang. Apparently, it’s a good thing I don’t know what the hell I’m doing in the kitchen, because a lot of viewers will relate to me.

When it’s time for a taste, Lila feeds me the creamy sample with a spoon. I close my eyes and accidentally moan as the camera zooms in on my reaction. I can’t help it. Her filling still ruins me.

“That’s the one,” she says smugly, before planting a kiss on my cheek.

Derick leans toward a producer and whispers something. I have a feeling the shoot is going better than he expected.

After they call cut, he shakes my hand like we’re old buddies. “Did you see the way Lila’s diamond picked up the light when she cut that first slice? And did you check the crowd outside? Maybe we should do a special wedding episode so everyone can see Zephyr’s favorite lake and the setting you picked.”