"I don't have the money to do that—"
"You still want to bake, right?"
"Well, yeah."
"Then come take a ride with me."
"Why?"
"Because Rocky and I missed you, and it's a nice day for a drive." He laced their fingers together and gently tugged. "Come on. I parked behind the building but had to run Rocky around the block a few times to wear off some of his energy."
"All right." The sunlight of his smile warmed her immediately. In the bright and cloudless day, with him by her side, her situation didn't seem quite as bleak. Her mind spun with what to say. She'd missed him. But what did she really have to offer him?
Getting away from the demolition was a good idea. She hopped into the car, happy that Rocky didn't attempt to sit in her lap. "You're going to show me the store, aren't you?"
He raised a brow and pulled onto the street. "How's your sister?"
"Worried about me, but still on her way to the airport. Her class starts soon."
"So, you're alone."
She shrugged and looked out the window. She'd been alone before, and she'd managed. Alone didn't have to mean lonely, except in her case, it did. "How's your family? Your dad?"
"He froze pieces of his birthday cake and gave some to the neighbors. He said to thank you for making him the most popular guy on the block."
"He's sweet."
They soon pulled up in front of a small, blank storefront sandwiched between a bank and a liquor store. Sure enough, his family's gym was at the end of the street. He gave her an enigmatic smile and opened his door. Sighing, she climbed out of the car. She'd humor him and peek in the shop's window. But no way could she even begin to think of a store again. No money meant no money.
He held the dog's leash secure in one hand and grasped hers with his other. "It doesn't hurt to look, right?"
"Fine. We can look in the window."
"Or we could go inside." He released her hand and dug into his pocket and produced a key. "What do you say?"
Before she could say anything, he unlocked the door and pushed it open. At a loss for words, she stepped into the space.
Light from the huge front window poured into the room, highlighting the bright white walls, shiny wooden floor, and sparkling display cases. It wasn't a shop like he'd said. It was already set up as a bakery.
She turned to him. "I don't understand. Why do you have a key?"
His smile grew wider. "Don't you want to see the kitchen?"
"Xavier." She placed her hand on his arm. "What is going on?"
"This might not be the original Bliss Bakery, but this one can be whatever you want it to be. It's yours. You don't have to worry about rent. I bought it."
Shaking her head, she backed up a step. "You can't buy me a bakery. You don't owe me anything. I can't accept it. You need to save your money for your future after football."
"It's not just me. I had some help. Remember that side bet my teammates and I had going? Tyson told us how mean Blackstone was to him throughout the competition. The guys as a unit decided to give that money to your new beginning instead. Everyone was on Team Ashley from the start."
"I can't believe it. They did that? But why?"
"Because you're important to me. Because you spent so much time taking care of your mom. Because for once, you should get to do something that's just for you and not have to worry so much about how to make it happen."
Tears stung her eyes. She lowered her gaze, unable to look him in the eye, trying to get a grip on her emotions. "I could never begin to repay you for this."
His finger raised her chin until she hadn't a choice but to look at him. "Forget that. This is a gift. I wanted to help you because I care about you. But more than that, I need you, Ashley."
"You don't have to feel obligated. I don't want your pity—"
"Pity?" His hands grabbed her shoulders. "Does this look like pity to you?" Strong fingers flexed and tightened their hold.
Ashley froze as his forceful gaze bore into her own. "I—"
"Listen, I went into that competition not expecting anything other than to have a good time with my teammates and hopefully win money for my foundation. But instead, I met a sweet, incredible woman with a heart as big as this city. You get me. We get each other. We both know what it's like to lose someone close to us. We both know how important family is. We both know that we'd do anything we could if it would help someone we loved."
She blinked, surprised and unprepared for his passionate outburst. "Xavier."
"You're a kind, caring person." His grip relaxed, softening into a caress and his voice deepened, pouring over her like warm caramel. "It's like I met you and something just clicked. My whole world got brighter and better."
The tension, the lines of worry had faded, in their place was a lightness she hadn't seen before, like sunshine after a storm. "I don't know what to say."
"Say you'll stay in my life. I can't lose you."
"I don't want to lose you, either. But I don't know what I have to offer you."
"Your heart. Your time. Your company." He punctuated each suggestion by pressing a kiss to the back of her hand.
She held him close and glanced around the store. "I'd gladly give you as much of them as you want. But this seems like so much."
"It's a family business. For you, your sister. My family will be in here all the time. My teammates, too. And me. Maybe I've been chasing the wrong dream for after my playing days. Spending time with you has shown me that."
With every word he spoke, her smile spread wider. "You want to bake with me?"
"I really like the idea of us
