Forever Wilde in Aster Valley (Forever Wilde 9)

“It was too cutthroat,” I said. “I didn’t like the pace, and… I didn’t really like who I was there.”

Miller nodded immediately. “I understand. That’s part of the reason I don’t want to move back to LA. It’s hard not to get swept up in the success competition. I worked so many long hours at my corporate job, I didn’t even know what a work-life balance was. Watching my mom die… well, maybe it sounds cliché, but it reminded me that life’s too short to live for your job.”

“I agree,” I said before putting down the last cookie and swapping out the tray of decorated ones with a new tray of blanks. “I really like it here. It’s small enough to be relaxing but big enough to sustain the bakery and offer a variety of residents and newcomers, especially now that the ski resort is opening back up. I wanted to find a place where I could be happy at work and outside of work. So far, so good.” Aster Valley was slowly coming to feel like home.

As we continued to work, Miller told me what he’d learned about the resort from Mikey and Tiller, and I shared my thoughts on the exciting changes that had been happening around town since my arrival earlier this year. We talked so easily and comfortably, I didn’t realize how much time had passed.

“Darius!” Hannah called from the front. “Mrs. Tenley wants to know when you’re making cannoli cake again.”

I glanced up at Miller to excuse myself for a moment and noticed him yawning. “Are you getting enough sleep?” I asked before moving to the sink to wash my hands. It hadn’t been the first time I’d noticed him yawn.

“No,” he said with a self-deprecating laugh. “Maybe it’s because I’m in a strange bed, or maybe it’s the stress of being around people all day. I don’t know. But I feel a little like the walking dead.”

“Grief is exhausting,” I said softly. “And it’s probably taking its toll in many ways.”

He met my eye, and our connection hung there warmly for a beat. “Yeah,” he said finally. “Sometimes it feels like it will never end.”

“Not end maybe, but get more bearable.” I squeezed his shoulder before moving through the archway to greet one of our regulars. “Good morning, Nori. I anticipate having the cannoli cakes back in January. Right now, we have so many holiday specials, I can’t find room to fit them in, too. But you might like the bourekia. It uses some of the same ingredients, but it’s a pastry instead of a cake.”

After helping her make a selection and thanking her for coming in, I made my way back to the kitchen in time to see the look on Miller’s face when he noticed the time. “Oh god! They’re waiting on me for breakfast at the lodge.” He looked up at me in panic. “Darius, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to stay so long. Are you okay with me leaving? I was supposed to bring the pastries in time for br—”

I grabbed his upper arms and shushed him. “Of course I’m okay. Not that I want you to leave. You’re welcome here anytime. I’ll call Mikey and tell him I waylaid you. He’ll understand. They’re good guys.”

His shoulders dropped. “I was having such a nice time here, I completely lost track of time.”

Our eyes met, and yet again, I had the swooping sensation in my stomach. Yaya’s voice in my head was insistent. When you meet your person, you’re going to know.

My heart rate picked up. “Can I take you to dinner?”

Miller’s lips turned down in a frown. “I don’t think… I mean, we have all these family things planned, and I… I think it would be rude to duck out, don’t you? Wait, don’t answer that,” he said with a self-conscious chuckle. “But… would it be okay for me to come help you tomorrow morning again? I liked this. Talking and baking. It was really relaxing.”

I gently squeezed his arms before letting go. “Absolutely. I would love that. Come as early as you want, but if you’re sleeping, let yourself sleep, promise?”

He grinned again, and I couldn’t help but do the same. “Promise,” he said.

I spent the rest of the workday high on the memory of having him in my space, of learning more about him, and even holding his arms in my hands. He seemed to be at a crossroads in his life which was exactly where I’d been a year ago, and I wanted to find a way to support him while he tried to determine the best path forward.

Oh, who was I kidding? I wanted to steer him toward a particular path.

My path.

Because everything in me was confident Miller Hobbs was my person, and all that was left to do was convince him I was his, too.