Chapter Ten
Jessica
I popped another batch of cinnamon rolls in the oven and began to pace the kitchen floor.
I cannot believe I dumped cinnamon rolls down the shirt of a customer!
Not to mention, a gorgeous one at that.
He had to be thinking, “Who is this pathetic girl?”
And Lainey was probably reconsidering hiring me after ruining the cinnamon rolls and a customer’s shirt at the same time.
How could I be so careless?
Except I knew how.
The minute our eyes locked, it was like my axis tilted, right along with the plate of frosted baked goods in my hands.
And I’d been so proud of how they’d turned out! Like maybe working here really was going to be a good fit.
I’d been coming out to show Lainey and Jade, and then a handsome man derailed me—again.
So much for things starting to go my way.
I blew out a long breath in defeat. Add it to my lengthy list of screwups.
Ruthie began to fuss, and I checked the timer on the oven.
Ten more minutes.
Not enough time to nurse Ruth, but too long to make her wait.
I guess I was going to have to face the music.
Standing up straighter, I headed toward the front of the bakery where Lainey was. Hopefully the gods would cut me a break and at least have sent the handsome man on his way.
I came through the swinging doors and wasn’t surprised that I had no such luck. The gods hadn’t been on my side since I’d turned thirteen.
“Hey, Lainey… there’s ten minutes left on the timer for the cinnamon rolls in the oven, but my daughter just woke up.”
Lainey waved her hand dismissively from where she stood at the counter. Jade and Mr. Gorgeous sat at a nearby table drinking coffee.
“I got it—no worries. Go take care of your baby girl.”
“Thank you.”
I’d just turned to head back into the kitchen when a deep voice called, “Why don’t you bring your daughter out here when you’re done?”
Slowly, I looked back at the man.
“Why?”
He furrowed his brows at my question.
“Um. Because I’d like to meet her? Who doesn’t love babies?”
Her father, for starters.
Jon knew she’d been born and still had never even asked to see her.
Lainey shook her head.
“No, we’re probably going to get the rush of people coming to grab their pastries for the morning. She shouldn’t be out here then.”
Her change of heart about Ruthie caught me off guard, and I mumbled, “I promise I won’t let anyone know she’s here.”
“No! That’s not why! You said she’s only five weeks, right? So, she probably hasn’t had her vaccinations yet. She shouldn’t be around too many people until she’s had her shots. I don’t want her to get sick.”
Ohhhh.
That made sense.
I appreciated Lainey thinking about Ruthie’s health.
Bonus, I’d be able to hide in the kitchen, away from Mr. Gorgeous still wearing the navy-blue and grey Henley t-shirt that I’d ruined, who had to think I was the lamest woman on the planet.
Then he said, “Let me know when you’re done, and I’ll come back there to meet her.”
So much for hiding.
Fortunately, Ruthie’s cries got louder, so I excused myself without responding to the man’s request.
****
Alan
I turned to see Lainey with her brows raised and her hand on her hip, staring at me.
“What?” I asked, refusing to avert my gaze.
“What did you just get done promising me?”
First of all—I didn’t promise shit.
“How does meeting her daughter equate to asking her out?”
Lainey narrowed her eyes. “I don’t know, but I think you do, and that’s why I’m suspicious.”
I tsked at her, murmuring, “So untrusting…” as I brought the mug to my lips.
“I’m not kidding, Alan Callahan!”
“I believe you.”
“Ugh! You’re as infuriating as your brother!”
“Well, since you’re living with said brother, we must not be that bad.”
A smile escaped her lips as if she was thinking about Adam, and she murmured, “No, you’re right. You guys are actually pretty great.”
Then she leveled me with a look.
“Don’t play games with that girl. She’s not battle-tested like you.”
“I don’t know what you’ve heard about me, but I don’t play games—period. And why is meeting her daughter and getting to know her a little better such a bad thing?”
Lainey’s mouth turned down and she sighed a defeated sigh. “You’re right, it’s not. I just feel protective of her. Us single moms gotta stick together.”
Jade piped in, “Yeah, I’m not sure you get to call yourself that anymore.”
I agreed.
My brother was head-over-heels for both Lainey and her son and would do just about anything for either of them.
Jade continued, “And don’t forget, Alan did help save your life, not to mention he helped Brian and me get home from the Cape when the paparazzi was chasing us. He really is one of the good guys, Lain.”
Yeah!
I’d almost forgotten about having that “I helped save your life” card in my pocket.
“Fine. She’s going to need a ride home tonight, and probably for the foreseeable future since she doesn’t have a car. Consider yourself on taxi duty.”
I turned to Jade with a grin. “I’m going to need to hang on to Brian’s truck for a little while longer.”
Jade mirrored my grin. “I’m sure he won’t mind.”
Just then the beeping of a smoke alarm went off and Lainey hopped off the stool she’d been sitting on behind the counter with an, “Oh shit!” before racing toward the kitchen.