—Well that Explains It—

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JENNIE

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The first thing I do when my alarm goes off is groan my displeasure at how quickly morning comes. Then I remember that the Love Is in the Air event is today, and I have four billion things to take care of before BB opens.

I also check to see if Lisa ever responded last night. She did. At four in the morning. The message is lackluster.

Lisa: Sorry it's so late, tomorrow is going to be awesome, see you in the A.M.

No kissy faces, no hearts or eggplant emojis. I leave the message unanswered. My reaction is slightly passive-aggressive, but I'd rather say nothing than something nasty. I don't need to start my day with an argument.

I set the coffeemaker to brew, then shower and get ready for what I hope will be a fantastic day. The Seattle paper is supposed to come by and spotlight the local businesses participating in the Love Is in the Air pub crawl. I'm hopeful the positive press will help us all and bring to light the harmful impact big chains have when they come and undercut small businesses.

My dress boasts an adorable hearts and cupids-slinging-arrows theme. It's an old one that I embellished with a wide plaid ribbon with a cupcake, cocktails, and beer pattern tied at my waist. I also have a special apron for today.

I swallow thickly as I take in my reflection. I'd hoped that Lisa and I would've spent last night together, that she would be here to see me get ready for this event that we worked so hard to make happen.

I push aside the negative thoughts, aware they don't do me any good. I'm out the door by seven thirty. We're not opening until later this morning, but I want to be at BB nice and early so I can make sure everything is set up and help calm anyone with event-day jitters.

I park my SUV behind the shop, surprised to see Lisa's truck there already. The moment I walk into BB, I'm assaulted by Rosé. She grabs me by the shoulders. "You need to go next door. Right now."

I set my purse on the counter. I'm not in a hurry to see Lisa this morning. "Why are you here so early?"

"Because I couldn't sleep and because of…reasons." She tries to turn me around, but I refuse to budge. "Come on, you have to see this."

"See what?"

"I can't tell you. I have to show you."

"Well, show me later. I have lots of stuff to take care of." I glance out the window and notice there's already a crowd gathered, even though we're not supposed to open for several hours. I squint. "Is that a camera crew? What's going on out there?"

I head for the door but turn abruptly. Rosé is following so closely she slams into me and nearly knocks over a table. "Do I need to reapply my lipstick?"

"No. You're perfect. But you should lose the coat."

"It's freezing outside."

"You'll survive. I promise." She tugs my parka down my arms like I'm a toddler who needs help. Once I'm coatless, I open the door and step outside. The street has been blocked off so people are able to walk down the road and traffic won't interfere with the event. We had to petition the city councillors to make that happen.

In the middle of the street is Lisa looking damn gorgeous in her plaid shirt and black sports jacket. She's also wearing a pair of dark-wash jeans and her usual steel-toed work boots. And she's surrounded by media. There are several news crews, people from The Seattle Morning Show, and Tori.

"What the heck is going on?" I mutter.

"Your girlfriend is awesome; that's what's going on." Rosé squeezes my arm.

It's as if Lisa can sense my presence the moment I step out the front door and onto the sidewalk. Her gaze shifts from Tori—who's standing beside her looking ridiculously perfect for this horribly early hour—and lands on me. Lisa's smile widens, and she extends a hand. "And here she is, the reason behind all of this."

"She's talking about you! Go on." Rosé elbows me in the side.

Lisa takes a step forward, breaking from the group, and winks. "Come on, beautiful, don't be shy on me."

I give her a look, feeling my cheeks heat. She said those same words less than a week ago when she wanted to have sex on the bar of The Manoban Cap. After hours, of course. Even with no lights on and the mostly opaque sign covering the front windows I was apprehensive. I gave in eventually, though. And then made her sanitize the hell out of the bar afterward while I watched, and told her she was a bad influence, and that we should maybe consider doing that on the bar in her apartment next time instead. She wondered why she hadn't thought of that herself.

"What is all this?" I ask when I reach her.

She doesn't answer at first. Simply takes my face between her cold hands—because it's frigid out here—bends down, and presses her lips gently to mine. "You look good enough to eat."

"Can you stop saying things that make me turn red?"

"Your cheeks will match the hearts on your dress." She smiles against my lips and then backs up so I can see her face. "I'm sorry I haven't been around the last couple of days, but now you know why."

"I'm confused as to what all is happening here. Is that Thom Thomas from channel five?"

"It is."

"And Claudia Carmichael from Food and Drink?"

"You're correct. Come on, let me introduce you." Lisa threads her fingers through mine.

"Do I look okay?" I smooth my hand down the front of my dress.

"You look good enough to eat, remember?" She tugs on my hand and brings me over to the group of media professionals. People I've watched on TV for years, and they're here because of Lisa. "This is Jennie Kim. She's the reason all of this is happening."

I want to argue since she was the one who suggested the street party, but I'm suddenly shaking hands with all these influential people. Tori extends her hand. "It's so great to see you again, Jennie. I think what you're doing here is amazing. I'm a big advocate for small business owners."

"Your parents started Organically Yours," I mention.

"That's right, back when I was just a kid. I know how hard they worked to promote their business and stay current and relevant, which is how I ended up here."

"You've done amazing things for so many independent businesses," I say. Because it's true. She's always focused on new products or start-ups, giving preference to smaller companies trying to find their footing. A recommendation from someone like Tori creates buzz and awareness. It's a powerful marketing tool.

"So have you." Tori smiles like she's in on a secret.

"I'm sorry, I don't think I understand." I glance between her and Lisa.

"All of this…" Tori motions to the businesses setting up for the day, at the decorations that line the street.

"You're the one who made this happen, Jennie," Lisa says.

"It was your idea, though."

"I just made a suggestion. You're the one who ran with it and made it reality. I was just a bystander taking orders from the cupcake queen." She smiles down at me, her expression reflecting so many emotions. The most dominant is pride and it makes my heart swell.

"I just wanted us to have a fighting chance, and the best way to do that was to band together," I explain.

"And you were absolutely right to do that. I wanted to make sure that all the right people could be here to see it happen, so I talked to Tori."

I'm sure my confusion is clear on my face.

"Lisa thought it would be a good idea to showcase not just The Manoban Cap but the entire community here, since you're all so involved with each other," Tori says. "It's amazing to see so many businesses come together instead of making rivals of each other. I thought it was a fantastic idea, so I made some calls and explained what was going on, and of course I needed Lisa's help to make it happen."

"Which is why you've been MIA the past couple of days," I whisper. I feel awful for assuming the worst, although to be fair I've had my share of being burned.

"I know I kind of left you in the lurch, but I wanted to make sure I could pull this off. That we could pull this off." She motions between herself and Tori.

Lisa forfeited her spotlight so we could all benefit, and here I was, thinking she was out to screw me over. I wave my hand in front of my face, trying to control the emotions, which apparently want to leak out of my eyes in the form of tears.

She pulls me against her and dips her head down so her lips are at my ear. "Are these happy tears?"

"So happy," I mumble against her chest. My girlfriend is the best.

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There are lines out the door all day, which is fantastic. I almost pass out from shock when my family shows up late in the afternoon. My parents, aunt, uncle, Jisoo, and Jihyo sort of suck the air out of the place with their presence. They're dressed up like they're going to a diamond-level restaurant, but then, my family loves to make a statement. And I suppose I'm no different with the way I dress.

"What are you guys doing here?" I peel off my latex gloves and toss them in the trash. Wiping my hands on my apron, I round the display case so I can air-kiss them.

"Your girlfriend called and said you were hosting an event and that it would be great if we could come out and see what you've accomplished," my mom says.

"This place is so cute!" Jisoo says.

"It really is," Jihyo agrees, albeit reluctantly.

My dad pulls me in for a hug. "This really is incredible, Jennie. You've done amazing things, and all on your own."

"I didn't do it all on my own. Lisa was a lot of help with the event." Minus the past couple of days, but clearly she's forgiven for that.

"I mean with this place." My dad motions to the line of people waiting for cupcakes and cocktails—or mocktails, since there are loads of families at the event. It's standing room only, with customers ordering cupcakes to go so they can sample more vendors. "You followed your dream, and you did it on your own. I'm proud of you, honey."

I get misty-eyed at the praise and the acknowledgment that this accomplishment is well and truly mine.

My jaw nearly hits the floor when they all try a cupcake and a cocktail. Even Jisoo and Jihyo—although they both talk about the two-hour run plus detox they're going to have to endure because of the single cupcake they consumed.

My dad mingles with everyone, happy to tell them that he's my father and that I inherited my excellent business sense and my baking skills from him.

By the time we close the doors, the only thing that's left are a pair of lonely Death by Chocolate cupcakes.

I bring them next door to The Manoban Cap, where the band has already started playing. Lisa and I are going to be dead on our feet by the time the bar closes, but we're taking a day off after all of this is over, so we should be able to catch up on some much-needed sleep and some alone time.

I spot Gramps sitting at the end of the bar, nursing a pint of Guinness. When he sees me, a huge grin lights up his face. I give him a hug from the side and shout over the noise. "Having fun?"

"I sure am. This is the busiest I've seen this place in a long time. Dottie would be proud 'a both of you." He thumbs over to the band. "But I gotta be honest, this just sounds like noise. Gonna finish my pint and head home."

"Want dessert with that?" I flip open the lid on the box.

"You don't have to ask me twice." He winks and takes one.

I leave him to his pint and I sidle up next to Lisa behind the bar. "Gramps is having a great time."

She glances down at my feet, but doesn't comment on my lack of proper footwear. "I'm impressed that he's still here. I would have thought he'd bail so he doesn't miss the late night rerun of Jeopardy."

"Thank goodness for DVR, I guess. Did he used to watch it with Dottie?"

"Every night at seven thirty. They'd compete to see who could answer the most questions correctly."

"Did they keep score?"

"Sure did."

"He must miss her so much."

Lisa nods. "He does. We both do. But I think I'd rather have someone to miss than never have the opportunity to witness that kind of devotion. They were each other's everything."

"Makes it tough to settle for anything less, I would think." I tip my chin up, overwhelmed by the sudden surge of emotion. I don't really know what it's like to watch a love like that. My parents are the most unconventional people I know, and the idea of finding a soul mate seemed elusive.

Chan interrupts—his timing sucks—to ask Lisa for some help behind the bar, because they're swamped and I'm monopolizing him. I change into a pair of boots and mix some drinks.

When the band finishes, the crowd slowly starts to dissipate.

"I can't believe how well this has gone." I load barware into the washer and dry off the clean ones before I stack them. "Or that you managed to get Thom Thomas from channel five here, or that you forfeited your spotlight with Tori so we could all be in it."

Lisa puts the beer steins in the freezer. "To be fair, it was Tori who pulled all the strings since she has all the connections. I just proposed the idea and she ran with it. I'm sorry I left you hanging the last couple of days, but I really wanted to be able to pull this off and give you and Buttercream and Booze the attention you deserved."

"I feel bad for being annoyed with you." And for doubting her sincerity and her loyalty. Although I was under a lot of stress, and she did sort of screw right off immediately after winning the Best Bar in Town award, so there was some room for doubt and worry.

She laughs. "Chan said you didn't look all that impressed the couple of times you stopped in here. I told him I was trying to make some things happen, but I wouldn't tell him what exactly because I couldn't be sure he'd keep his mouth shut. And I knew if I saw you I'd want to tell you what I was planning, but on the off chance I failed, I also didn't want to disappoint you. It was a real conundrum."

"I'm so sorry I was less than sweet to you the past couple of days." If I'd known she was planning something then maybe I would've calmed my tits and not been so passive-aggressive. It's a good reminder that I can't base my opinions or assumptions on past experiences and that Lisa isn't like Raphael.

"It's not your sweetness that keeps me coming back, Jennie." She winks.

I'm about to give her some sass, but Tori appears at the bar. "Do you have a few minutes for an interview? I'd love to get your thoughts on how today has been for you and the rest of the family-owned businesses on the street."

I make a move to step to the side. "I'll just give you a few minutes."

Lisa snags me by the waist before I get too far. "I think Tori actually wants to interview you, Jennie, since you're the one who orchestrated all of this."

I glance between her and Tori. "But it's your spotlight."

"I'd actually love it if you could do this together. Lisa's already answered most of these questions for me over the past couple of days while we've been getting everything together to make this happen, but I'd love to get them on camera and hear your side of things, too, Jennie. Are you okay if we go live with this? It's more organic this way, you know? Feels a lot less scripted."

Lisa defers to me. "Are you okay with that?"

"Sure, of course. We can go live." As if I'm going to pass up this opportunity.

"Great." Tori motions for her crew to get set up and three women swoop in with makeup brushes and attack her face. "Can we touch you up, Jennie?"

"Um, sure?" One of the women flits down the length of the bar and makes her way to me, brushes and makeup case in hand.

Tori taps her lip. "I think you two should stay behind the bar. I like the lighting and the backdrop is fantastic. Are those your grandparents?" She points to the picture behind Lisa.

"That's them."

She looks from the framed photo to us and back again. "It's like history repeating itself." She does a little shimmy. "This is beyond perfect."

Two minutes later I'm all touched up and when the girl moves in to get to Lisa she raises both hands in the air. "Is it okay if you don't use that stuff on me?"

Tori waves her off and she takes a seat at the bar. I make her a pretty cocktail and we plate the lone Death by Chocolate cupcake for her. She's all about product placement, making sure the coaster with The Manoban Cap logo on it is situated so viewers can read it easily and that the cupcake box with the BB sticker is equally visible and prominent.

"You two, nice and close, please." Tori makes hand gestures until our shoulders are touching. "You can put your arm around Jennie, Lisa."

She slings it over my shoulder and I wrap mine around her waist. I tip my chin up as she looks down and we both smile and laugh. She bends to press a kiss to my temple.

"Oh my God, cuteness overload," Tori sighs.

"You ready?" the cameraman asks.

Tori gives him a thumbs-up. "Okay, we're going live in, three, two, one." The camera guy focuses on Tori and she squares her shoulders. "Tori Taylor here and tonight we're celebrating Love Is in the Air with the Best Bar winner, The Manoban Cap, but Lisa Manoban, our designated winner, wanted to share the limelight with the rest of the family-owned businesses in the area, so they created this amazing Love Is in the Air event, and it has been outstanding! I've never had so much fun in my entire life! Lisa, tell me what inspired you to put together such an incredible day."

"Alice in Wonderland," Lisa blurts.

To her credit, Tori hardly misses a beat. "The Tim Burton remake?"

"That's what she called me the first time she met me," I supply.

"Oh? This is definitely a story. Do tell!"

Lisa and I look at each other. "Go ahead. I'm interested to hear your version of events." I nudge her playfully.

Her smile widens. "Are you sure you want me to share this story?"

"Just remember whose bed you're sleeping in tonight." I bat my lashes.

Lisa bites her lip, likely to prevent her grin from growing any wider. She tips my chin up and kisses me softly. I don't think she's even in tune with the fact that she's being recorded anymore because she doesn't look at the camera.

"I'll never forget the moment I met you. God, you were just so angry and beautiful and righteous. And I never would have admitted it then, but now I can say that it was a total jerk move to start renovations and not come by and introduce myself first."

"Tell us more about that." Tori pulls her attention away from me.

Lisa blinks a couple of times and realizes she's not talking just to me but a million plus subscribers. "Uh. I'd just agreed to help my grandfather with The Manoban Cap. We lost my grandmother a while back and they were the epitome of soul mates. They did everything together, including run this place. After she passed, it was hard for him to run it on his own."

Tori nods, her expression sympathetic. "You're very close with your grandfather."

"I am." She goes on to explain the deal she made with her grandfather to get her brewery capital.

"You worked here before, though, right? It was your first job," Tori adds, shifting away from the heavier topic of losing her grandmother.

"I washed dishes, bussed tables, served them—and sucked at that part—before I finally got to tend the bar. It's all a lot different than running the place."

"And you added some new features."

"I did, and they weren't particularly convenient for my neighbor." She smiles down at me. "She came in here, all fired up about problems I was causing her."

"She wasn't very receptive at first," I add.

"Oh, I was more than receptive, and that was the problem."

I cock my head. This is the first I've heard of this.

"I didn't need a distraction. I needed to take this bar from red to black and then I could move on. That was my plan, and then Jennie happened. I've never met someone so determined to succeed. She comes from a family of restaurateurs and she's a baker. You might think it's the same, but it's not. We shouldn't have been each other's competition, but we were. Jennie is a force; she's smart and beautiful and driven and uniquely herself. And I think it took me about two weeks to fall for her, but man I tried so hard not to."

"You fell in love with your rival?" Tori presses her hand to her heart and I stare up at Lisa, trying to figure out what in the world is happening here.

Her expression turns panicked, like she suddenly realizes what she's said and where. She doesn't address Tori, but she does address me. "I'm so in love with you," she says softly, with conviction.

"And I'm so in love with you," I whisper back. If I hadn't made the decision to go out on my own I never would have met her, or had the chance to fall for her.

Her smile is beautiful. She dips down and presses her lips to mine. "I can't wait to take you home and show you how much I love you," she murmurs.

I'm all for that, but I'm not sure all of Tori's subscribers need to know about it. "There are cameras rolling," I say against her lips, trying my best to keep her tongue from sliding between mine.

Her gaze darts to Tori and the cameraman. "Damn it. Right. I keep forgetting this is a live thing."

We all burst into laughter and Tori turns to face the camera. "I think we all know this one has a happy ending. So make sure to come visit The Manoban Cap and Buttercream and Booze, and maybe you, too, will find your very own happily ever after."

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