The bakery smelled of sugar and spice, the kind of warmth that lingered after a long day of baking. Stacks of pastry boxes lined the counters, each tagged for Christmas Eve morning pick‑ups. Holly sat at the corner table, her hands wrapped around a mug of tea gone cold, exhaustion tugging at her shoulders but her mind still restless.
Lee slid into the chair beside her, his presence steady, grounding. He didn’t say anything at first, just let his hand rest lightly against hers, thumb brushing over her knuckles. Across from them, Max leaned back in his chair, arms folded, watching Holly with that protective look that seemed to run in the family.
“So,” Max finally said, breaking the silence. “You told Jon.”
Holly nodded, her throat tightening. “I did. And for the first time, I feel… lighte
