12. Baker

CHAPTER 12

BAKER

After textingand talking on the phone all week, I finally get to have Cassie in my arms tonight. I only saw her once this week when I took her lunch at the school, but we’ve talked or texted all week long, multiple times a day. It has sucked not being able to hold her when I’ve seen her, but it’s also been a good thing because we’ve talked and really got to know each other.

I turn my oven on warm and put the containers inside. I wasn’t sure what Cassie would want to eat, so I ordered a little bit of everything. I’m pacing my living room when the doorbell rings.

I open the door, smiling ear to ear. “Hey, baby.”

I instantly pull her into a hug, and her body melts against mine. I feel like I’m probably holding her too tightly, but I can’t help it. I kiss the top of her head. “I missed you this week. Are you trying to kill me with this dress? You look beautiful.”

She pulls away, and it’s now I notice she’s not happy. “What’s wrong?”

She shakes her head. “I’m sorry, Baker.”

“Sorry for what? What’s going on?”

I gather her in my arms and pull her inside the house, closing the door behind us. “Talk to me. What’s wrong?”

“Do you remember me telling you about my best friend, Haven?”

I nod. “The model, right?”

She rolls her eyes. “Of course you remember that part. Yes, the model. Anyway, she’s in town for one night, and I haven’t seen her in months. I may have to leave a little early and meet her in town or something.”

“Invite her here.”

Her eyebrows lift, and she points at the ceiling. “You want me to invite her here?”

I grab her hands and pull her farther into the house. “It will be perfect. I ordered way too much food, or heck if you want something else, I can order that. You can talk and not have to worry about the noise or anything. I’ll go to my office and catch up on paperwork.”

She tilts her head to the side. “Baker, I’m not going to invite my friend here and intrude on your space.”

I wrap my arms around her and lock my hands together on her lower back. “You won’t be intruding. I’ve been looking forward to this all week, and even if you’re just in the other room, that’s enough for me. I just want you here with me.”

She wants to say yes. “Are you sure about this?”

“I’m positive. Call her. I’ll set up the food at the table.”

She pulls her phone out of her pocket. “Okay, if you’re sure.”

I lean down and kiss her. “I’m sure.”

I walk into the kitchen, leaving her to make her call.

I’m setting the table when Cassie comes in. “She was a few minutes away.”

I go to take the food out of the oven. “Perfect. I got a little bit of everything, so you can pick and choose.”

“Thank you, Baker. Really, this is so incredibly nice of you. I really appreciate it. And I think you’ll like Haven. Everyone does.”

I carry some of the plates to the table, and she is following behind me with her hands full. “I’m sure I’ll like her because she means something to you. Don’t worry, okay?”

When the doorbell rings, I tell her, “Go ahead. You can get it. I’ll finish here.”

Cassie seems nervous all of a sudden, and so I figure she needs some time with her friend. I can hear them talking and once everything but the dessert is set out, I turn to face the living room.

Cassie is blushing when she gestures to me. “Haven, this is Baker. He’s uh, my stepbrother. Baker, this is Haven. My very best friend in the whole world.”

I try to hide my disappointment that she introduced me as her stepbrother. I’m not sure what I was hoping for, but I can’t be upset. She said she wanted to keep our relationship between us.

Haven smiles and waves at me. “So your dad tamed the beast. I need to meet him sometime.”

I look at Cassie, not sure if I should laugh or not, but she’s smiling and shaking her head. “Yeah, Haven has met Brandi.”

I nod. “Well, I’m sure my dad would love to meet you. He’s really loving this being a girl dad. He’d be thrilled to meet Cassie’s friends.”

I gesture to the feast on the table. “I put out food, and you all should eat while it’s warm. I’ll be in my office if you need anything.”

“Wait. You’re not joining us? You have to eat,” Cassie says. Of course she’s worried about me.

I wave her off. “No, I want to give you two some time to catch up.”

Cassie moves to block my path. “Absolutely not. Eat with us, then Haven and I can catch up.”

I look between Haven and Cassie, and they’re both nodding their heads. “Okay, sure. Let’s eat.”

I go grab another place setting and then wait for the women to sit. “Would you like water, soda, or wine?”

“Water,” they say in unison.

I grab three bottles of water and carry them to the table.

I sit down, and the conversation is light as we talk about a little bit of everything.

Haven shrugs. “So we going to talk about Dick?”

I practically choke on my chicken Parmesan, and Cassie rolls her eyes. “Ignore her. She’s talking about Richard, my ex.” She turns to Haven. “There’s nothing to talk about. I broke up with him.” It’s obvious that Cassie is trying to change the subject. “What’s new with you?”

Haven looks at me before she answers, “Don’t judge me.”

I hold my hands up. “No judgment here.”

I try to keep my head down and eat. I’m not sure what she’s about to say, but after the dick comment, I feel like I should be ready.

“So you know the new therapist I’ve been going to, right?”

Cassie nods. “Yeah, you said you really like her and you can tell a difference since you started going to her.”

Haven nods and eats a bite of salad. “Yeah, well, I did like her. She wants me to do something, and now I think she’s crazy. I don’t know if I should just tell her no or find a new therapist or what.”

Cassie lets her fork hover over her plate. “You’ve had three therapists in the last year. What does she want you to do?”

She blows out a breath. “She wants me to hire a cuddler.”

Cassie rears back, and I know my eyebrows lift into my hairline. Cassie is shaking her head in confusion. “She wants you to hire a cuddler. What does that even mean?”

Haven looks at me, and it’s obvious she’s embarrassed. I act like I’m completely into the food I’m eating. “I guess since I have my ‘issues,’ she thinks that if I hired a cuddler I can work on stress, anxiety, and my boundary issues.”

She looks at me again. “You didn’t know Cassie’s best friend was crazy, right?”

I laugh. “I don’t think you’re crazy.”

Cassie’s quiet and then blurts out, “You have to do it.”

Haven looks at her in surprise. “Of everyone, I thought you’d agree with me. It’s crazy.”

Cassie is shaking her head. “It’s not crazy. You know you have ‘issues,’ and I can see how this would help. They’re professionals, right? It’s not like you’re just picking someone off the street or anything. It would be safe.”

Haven doesn’t seem so sure. “Yeah, I guess.” She picks at her salad. “Let’s talk about it later. What about you, Baker? What do you do?”

I answer her, and Haven is looking between us and then starts asking me one question after another. The more we talk, the more Cassie starts to look uncomfortable. The more Haven asks me questions, the quieter Cassie gets.

Cassie is looking between us, and she doesn’t have to say anything for me to know what she’s thinking. I should have known when she talked about Haven in the past and mentioned men always fall for Haven that I should tread lightly.

I lean forward. “So you’re Cassie’s best friend, right?”

Haven blinks and nods her head. “Yes.”

I nod, hoping I’m doing the right thing. “So you want what’s best for her?”

Haven looks at Cassie and then back to me. “Absolutely.”

I nod and let out a breath. “Okay. Cassie and I are dating.”

I know she wanted to keep us a secret, but she surely can trust her best friend. I look at Cassie, hoping she’s not going to be mad at me, and I’m happy I said it because she’s smiling ear to ear at me. She lights up. I reach out my hand for her, and she threads our fingers together.

Haven lets out an excited whoop. “I knew it. I knew it. Why didn’t you tell me?”

I listen to the two of them talk, and Cassie is no longer unsure as she sits here. I don’t know if she thought I would like her friend better than her or what, but somehow, I need to show her that I’ll always choose her.

After we finish eating, I clear the table, insisting they stay where they’re at.

I bring in dessert and set it in the middle of the table. Cassie gasps. “Is that the famous cinnamon Blaze cake from Red’s?”

I nod. “It is.”

I bring plates and utensils and set them on the table. I lean down and kiss Cassie on the lips. She blushes prettily, and I cup her chin. “I’m going to get some work done in my office. Just holler if you need anything. Haven, it was nice to meet you.”

I walk out of the kitchen and barely get through the living room when I hear Haven loudly whisper, “Ooh, girl. He’s got it bad. Tell me everything.”

I can’t help but smile. Haven’s right. I have it bad.