Total pages in book: 50
Estimated words: 47196 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 236(@200wpm)___ 189(@250wpm)___ 157(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47196 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 236(@200wpm)___ 189(@250wpm)___ 157(@300wpm)
EPILOGUE
SKYLER
Three Months Later
There’s a knock on the door, and I look over at Zach. He just smiles widely at me without any surprise on his face.
“Who could that be?” I ask, surprised. We’re about to go live for the Sweet Temptations channel, and we don’t have much time.
Zach’s smile gets even bigger. “I’ll go see.”
I watch him walk out of the kitchen, and I know something is up. He’s been acting weird all day, but no matter how many times I ask, he says nothing.
The last three months have been amazing. Zach has been busy getting Stronghold Security started, but he comes home every night. I’ve thought about talking to him about letting his apartment go, but I didn’t want to be presumptuous or anything.
“Look who’s here!” Zach walks back into the kitchen followed by my brothers Miller, Logan, Guy, Ozzy, and Penn, and my sister-in-law, Aria.
“Oh my God! What are you all doing here? What’s going on?”
The guys all take turns hugging me, and when I get to Aria, she holds me extra tight. “Love you, sis.”
She sniffles as if she’s going to cry, and I pat her shoulder, “I love you, too.” I’m starting to get freaked out. “You guys! What are you doing here?”
Zach is the first one to answer. “They wanted to be here for the taping of Baking with Zach! Is that okay?”
My mouth drops. For years, my brothers have discredited my baking as a real job. It seems like forever they wanted me to do a job that offers more security. It was only when my followers increased and I was booking segments on television shows and getting orders for big parties that they thought I could make something of this. It also doesn’t hurt that Zach has been on my side since the day we met and sings my praises at every turn. I sniff, wanting to cry now. “Yes, I would love that! Okay, does everyone want to grab a chair? We’re going to get started soon and—”
The doorbell rings again, and I’m shocked when Zach leans down and kisses my forehead. “Two more. I’ll be right back.”
“Two more?” I put my hands on my hips. “What is going on, you guys?”
I look around at my brothers, but they’re all just smiling at me. Zach comes back into the kitchen, followed by his sister and brother-in-law. “Sky, Abby and Davis wanted to come too.” He holds his hands up. “But this is it. Promise.”
My kitchen is full, and my heart is about to explode. Abby and Davis both hug me and then find some seats that Zach has produced from somewhere. I ask Abby, “Where are Alexis and DJ? They could have come!”
Abby laughs. “Maybe next time. They would have wanted to bake with Aunt Sky instead of sitting to watch.”
My heart warms instantly. From the first time Zach took me to his sister’s house, she’s been amazing and instantly started referring to me as Aunt Sky.
“We’re just missing your mom and dad and everyone would be here,” I tell Zach.
He nods. “Don’t worry. They’re watching from the cruise ship!”
With my hand to my heart, I suck in an emotional breath and look around at our family. I can’t believe they all came here tonight. They all know we’re starting a new segment for my channel, but I never dreamed we would get this kind of support. “I can’t tell you how much it means that you guys came tonight. I love that you’re here.” I look at Zach and poke my finger into his stomach. “This means you’re going to have to share the baked goods.”
He looks stricken and then shrugs. “I guess I can share for one night.” He claps his hands together. “Okay, it’s time to get started.”
I smile at our family as Zach and I take our places behind the counter. I look up at Zach. “You ready for this?”
He chuckles and rubs his hands together. “Yes, I’m ready. So ready.” He leans down and kisses me, and instead of just a peck on the lips, he kisses me until I’m breathless and my brothers are all calling out, “Okay, okay, enough of that.”
I giggle as Zach pulls back. My brothers were hesitant when we first started dating, but Zach has completely won them over.
Zach hugs me to him. “Okay, okay, down to business.” He leans over the phone. “You ready?”
I wave a hand at my overheated face. “Yes, as ready as I’ll ever be.”
He winks at me and presses the button to record.
Zach holds my hand as we both look into the camera. I’m doing my best to concentrate, but it’s a little hard as our brothers and sisters are all staring at us with big smiles on their face. I focus on the camera. “Hey, Cookie Crew! Do we have a treat for you tonight! I love how excited you all are for this new segment for Sweet Temptations! This is our first ‘Baking with Zach’ segment, and we’re going to be making my personal favorite: fudgy ooey gooey brownies!”