Donuts and Handcuffs

She blinked. Her jaw twitched. Then she swallowed hard as her right hand reached up in the air, grabbing the red rope and pulling hard. Her bright squeal of, “Yes!” rang through the store along with the cookie bell.

I barely had the cake safely on the counter before she jumped into my arms.

Screams and applause filled the air, but all I could hear was Bailey’s whisper against my lips. “I love you, Daniel. Yes.”

“I love you, Bailey. And I’m going to spend every day trying to find new ways to make you smile just like this.”

Her adorable grin nearly knocked me off my feet as she reached out to pick up the ring, saucily licking it clean, then handing it to me so that I could slip it onto her finger.

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She looked down with shock. “It fits perfectly.”

“Of course. I measured your finger with a ring sizer when you were asleep.”

Her mouth fell open as everyone around us laughed. “But… I’m such a light sleeper. How could you…” Her eyes squinched shut for half a second as she laughed. “Except when I’m with you. You little sneak.”

The police Captain clapped Daniel on the shoulder. “That’s some fine detective work, Hill.”

“You heard the free cookie bell,” Bailey called out. She pulled some trays out from under the counter, and let everyone help themselves.

Then she wrapped her arms around my neck, kissing me again. “You’re lucky I said yes. Imagine if I hadn’t with so many of your colleagues here.”

“I would have simply handcuffed you to the counter and recited every logical reason why we are perfect together until you said yes.”

“Wouldn’t that have been forcible confinement?” she laughed.

“I don’t think I’d give a damn,” I said, flashing her a wink.

“Daniel!” she gasped, clutching her left hand to her heart as she fluttered the diamond in the light. “Watch your language in front of my new ring.”

Then she held it up in front of her, taking a good look. The big round white diamond in the center was flanked on each side with a little pink diamond. The whole thing was set in rose gold.

Bailey looked up at me with a grin. “Pink and white?”

“Like a unicorn, of course.” I pointed my thumb behind me. “Mr. Pointy Head and I had a little meeting and agreed that would suit you. I also got you a chain, so you can wear it around your neck if you’re baking and your hands are covered in dough.”

Her eyes were absolutely sparkling. “You’re aware that my wedding dress might be ridiculous?”

“I’m completely expecting it.”

She pressed against me, nuzzling my ear as she whispered, “As long as we don’t use the word ‘expecting’ again for at least three years. Is that okay?”

“Absolutely. I want you all to myself for a little while. Plus, you’re going to have to train some people to run your shop over our honeymoon, our babymoon, then the first four months after the baby arrives.”

Her left eyebrow raised gracefully. “One month.”

“Three and a half months.”

Bailey pursed her lips, faking a glare. I don’t know why I loved it so much when she pretended to be stern with me. “This shop is my other baby. You get that, right?”

“We can negotiate later,” I said. Glancing at the donut cake on the counter, I chuckled. “I’ll take that over to the station for everyone to share. I assume you don’t want to sell my attempt at art.”

“Even though your icing work was stellar, yeah,” she giggled. “Save us two pieces for dinner though.” She leaned in to whisper in my ear, “You’ll have to come over tonight so we can celebrate this engagement.”

I kissed her in a manner that was entirely inappropriate for the workplace, especially in front of her customers, and my colleagues. But just this once, I was pretty sure that we got a free pass.

*** The End ***