Chapter Twenty
AS THE MORNING sun snuck in through Emerson’s curtains, Baz couldn’t remember ever feeling so at peace, which was strange, considering he had a million things on his mind, and broaching the subject of his upcoming trip was at the top of that list. He was kicking himself for not bringing it up before taking things further last night, but he also didn’t want to ruin their peaceful morning by jumping into a serious conversation. Especially when Emerson looked as happy as he felt. She’d slept in his T-shirt, and she was lying on her side facing him, messy hair strewn over the pillow, one arm tucked under it, her other hand on Brennan as he lay between them. Brennan was awake and wicked cute in the cozy white sleeper with tiny puppies on it that Baz had picked up for him last week. He was sucking on the side of his fist, while Ollie lay with his nose an inch from his feet. The watchful pup had claimed his space across the bottom of the bed during the night but had moved between them the last time Brennan had nursed.
“I can’t believe how big he’s gotten,” Emerson said.
He ran his hand up her hip and squeezed, loving her curves. “I was thinking the same thing last night while you were out with the girls, so I stepped on the scale with him. He’s a solid ten pounds. Mama’s milk does his body good.” He looked at Brennan’s sweet face. It was amazing how fast he was changing, in more ways than his fuller cheeks and longer body. He was done with the pacifier, preferring his fist or thumb instead, which he was getting good at finding, and his smiles were earned. He recognized their voices and faces, and his little eyes brightened around them. If he changed that much in seven weeks, how much would he change while Baz was gone?
“He’ll be a whole different Little B when I get back from my trip.”
“Yeah,” she said softly. “He will be.”
Fuck. He hadn’t meant to say it aloud. “Em, we should talk about my trip. I should’ve talked to you about it before last night.”
“You did. When we first met you told me you were going, and I’m excited for you to do the things you’ve been dreaming about. I know we’re just…” She pressed her lips together, as if she were thinking. “I don’t expect a commitment.”
Ollie cocked his head, like he was as baffled as Baz.
“Babe, I haven’t spent the night with a woman since college. I wouldn’t be in your bed with you and your son and your dog if I weren’t committed to our relationship. This means something to me. You and Brennan mean something to me. I was hoping we could continue seeing each other when I get back.”
“Sure, if you still want to.”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
“Because neither of us was looking for a relationship, and I don’t want you to feel strapped to me and Brennan just because we’re attracted to each other. You might get out there and decide you want your freedom.”
“I’ve had thirty-four years of freedom. I want this. I want us . Haven’t I shown you that I’m not some fool-hearted kid led around by his dick? I’m going away to help animals where they don’t have adequate veterinary resources, not to hook up with random women.” He drew back with an unsettling thought. “Did I misjudge things between us? Is that your way of saying you want an open relationship when I’m away?” For fuck’s sake, please say no.
“ No , but Brennan and I are a lot, and you can have anyone you want.”
“You two are not a lot. You’re a gift, and you can have anyone you want, too. I chose you , Em, and I did it knowing you were a package deal and that Brennan was half your heart. I thought you chose me, too.”
“I did, and I do.” A tease rose in her eyes. “But it’s not like I had a choice. Did you forget how you barreled into my life?”
“Did you forget how you barreled into mine ?” He leaned in and kissed her. “That’s a day I’ll never forget. I’m in this with you, darlin’. A few months apart is not going to change that.” He believed that with everything he had, but that didn’t mean he was looking forward to being away from them. “We’ll keep in touch with texts and video chats so I don’t miss any of Brennan’s milestones, and you can do a striptease for me.”
“In your dreams. If anyone’s doing a striptease, it’s you .”
“We’ll see about that. I do have the power of the dimples on my side.”
She grinned.
“And when I get back, we’ll pick up where we left off. Right, Little B?” He tickled Brennan’s foot, earning happy kicks and a gummy grin. Ollie licked Brennan’s foot, and Brennan cooed. “Unless your mama decides to kick me to the curb.” He met Emerson’s gaze. “In which case, I’ll have no choice but to come back and charm her panties off again.”
“I might have to kick you to the curb just so I can experience that,” she said sassily.
“Careful what you wish for. You’ve whetted my appetite. I’ve been a gentleman, but that doesn’t mean I’m not already fantasizing about charming those panties off while we’re out today.”
“Is that so? Where are we going?”
“I’m going to help you fall in love with Brennan’s hometown and the surrounding areas.”
“ Brennan’s hometown ,” she repeated just above a whisper. “I love that he has a hometown instead of growing up in the city, and I really like that you want to show us around.”
“There’s a lot to love about living on the Cape. I’ve been looking forward to showing you more of it. Besides, we both know if I left it up to you, you’d stay in a six-mile radius of your cottage and miss out on the good stuff.” He petted Ollie and brushed a kiss to Brennan’s forehead. “Better get a move on, Lockhart. We’ve got things to do.” He and Ollie climbed off the bed, and then he picked up Brennan and said, “Come on, little buddy. Let’s put your puppy out, and then you can help me make breakfast for your mama while she gets ready.”
“I can make breakfast,” Emerson offered as she got out of bed.
Baz slid his arm around her, pulling her close and palming her ass, loving the heat rising in her eyes. “You need to put pants on or this little boy is going to see his first live X-rated performance.” He gave her ass a swat and got the hell out of the bedroom before he got them both in trouble.
EMERSON WAS CONVINCED that everything took three times longer with a baby. Baz made omelets for breakfast and did the dishes while she nursed and changed Brennan. But when they were heading out the door, Brennan had a diaper blowout, and they had to give him a bath. It was almost eleven when they finally left the house. Now they were in Baz’s truck, with Ollie lying on the rear seat beside Brennan’s car seat, on their way to someplace Baz had yet to reveal. He’d brought the baby carrier and the stroller and asked Emerson to pack plenty of diapers and a change of clothes for Brennan in case he had another diaper mishap. She was excited to spend the day together and was still riding high on the wings of last night.
She hadn’t known what to expect when she’d asked him to stay. It had been a spur-of-the-moment decision, and one of the best she’d ever made. Baz had held her, and they’d kissed…a lot. His touch was as comforting as it was enticing as his hands had roamed over her bottom, into her hair, and down her back, but she hadn’t felt pressured to do more, and that made their togetherness feel even more intimate. Each time Brennan had woken up, Baz was on his feet like he’d been lying in wait for her little one to cry out. The most wonderful part of last night was that Emerson hadn’t known how she’d sleep with Baz in her bed, but she’d slept better than she had in years.
She glanced at him, tapping his thumb on the steering wheel to the beat of the music on the radio. His gray tank top showed off his muscular arms and tattoos, jeans clinging to all his best places, and his leather boots called out the biker in him. I’m going to help you fall in love with Brennan’s hometown. The man made her heart sing. She’d fooled herself into thinking she was okay with their relationship being just for now . But when he’d mentioned his trip, it had hit differently than when she’d talked with Gwen and the girls about it. She didn’t want it to be temporary, and that brought an expected fear. What if something happens to him while he’s away, and I’m left behind, like I was with my parents? She didn’t think she could take another loss like that. But every time she’d tried to push him away so she could crawl back into her hiding space beneath the shade tree that he was quickly making sparse, he managed to disarm her, drawing her into his light with his confidence in them, his honesty, and his affection.
And to think she’d thought Gwen was good at making her face reality. Gwen had nothing on Baz. Or maybe reality just never felt so safe and alluring.
“Take a picture, darlin’. It’ll last longer.” Baz grinned, and she realized she was staring at him.
“I think I will.” She whipped out her phone, and as she took the picture, she was hit with a memory of her mother taking pictures on their way to their vacation destinations. Capture every moment so we never forget. She assumed those pictures were in the unopened boxes in her bedroom. Emerson remembered making faces for the camera and her mother saying, That was my favorite so far. What else ya’ got, Em?
Baz reached across the seat to take her hand, drawing her from her thoughts. “What’s that smile for?”
“You,” she said as she looked at the picture she’d taken. She put the phone in her back pocket as he turned down another road. “Where are we going?”
“First stop, Common Grounds.”
Excitement bubbled up inside her. “The coffee shop you told me about? Where your family holds the Suicide-Awareness Rally?”
“Yeah. You mentioned you were talking to a client about taking on an editing assignment next week, so I thought you might want to check the place out and meet Gabe Appleton, the owner. See if you’re comfortable there in case you want to get out of the house with Brennan.”
“I definitely do.” Now that she wasn’t exhausted all the time, and Brennan went almost three hours between feedings, she was excited to get back to work with one of her favorite clients. Her client hadn’t batted an eye when she’d asked for an additional week to work on the manuscript, which would allow enough time to get it done during Brennan’s naps and in between feedings. Ginger had offered to watch him for a few hours a day, and although she wasn’t ready to part from him for work, it was nice to know that was an option.
A weathered cedar-sided building came into view at the end of the road. There was a large patio on the right side of the building with tables that had bright yellow umbrellas and what looked like a stone firepit in the middle. As Baz parked, Ollie popped up to look out the window.
“I know it doesn’t look like much, but I think you’ll like Gabe and her brothers, Rod and Elliott, who also work here. Rod is a musician. He plays guitar and tends the coffee bar part-time, and their brother, Elliott, greets and seats customers. They also have an open mic from six to ten every night, called Say Anything. People get up to read and recite poetry, sing, do comedy, or sometimes just to talk. It’s pretty cool.”
“I went to an open mic once with Gwen when we were in college. It was fun.”
“We’ll check it out one night. Mads plays here sometimes, and they don’t serve alcohol, so the crowd isn’t too rowdy. See the sign above the door?” He pointed to a sign that read L EAVE YOUR B IASES AT THE D OOR . “Elliott has Down syndrome, and Gabe employs several other people with disabilities. She works hard to foster an environment where everyone is welcome. That’s one of the reasons we chose to hold our annual rally here.”
“That’s wonderful. As long as everyone doesn’t include a creepy barista.”
“There are no creepy baristas here. My buddy Cuffs is a Dark Knight and a cop. He checks out everyone Gabe hires to keep her and the staff safe.”
“You guys really do watch out for everyone, don’t you?”
“Gotta keep our community safe.” He climbed out of the truck. “Sit tight and I’ll help you out.”
She and Ollie watched him strut around the truck in all his beautiful, laid-back glory. He helped her out and drew her into a kiss. “We’ll only be here for a few minutes. Do you want to carry Brennan or hold Ollie’s leash?”
“I’ll hold Brennan. They allow dogs inside?”
“Yeah. A lot of places around here are dog friendly.” He lifted Brennan out of his car seat and cradled him in one arm, giving her little boy all of his attention. “This is a big day for you, Little B. You get to meet some new friends, but don’t worry. We won’t let anyone get too close.”
He nuzzled Brennan’s cheek, earning excited kicks. He handed him to Emerson as she tried not to melt into a puddle of goo right there on the pavement. Now it was her turn to nuzzle her baby’s cheek, inhaling the dreamy mix of her baby’s sweet scent and her man. My man. That brought an unexpected thrill.
Baz leashed Ollie and draped an arm over Emerson’s shoulder as they crossed the parking lot. “I like this, Lockhart.”
“The coffee shop?”
“ Us. Being out as a couple with Brennan and Ollie.”
“Me too. Being part of a couple like this is new for me. I haven’t really been like this with anyone else.”
“It’s new for me, too, but it doesn’t feel that way. It feels natural, like we were meant to find each other.”
Butterflies swarmed in her belly as he pulled open the door. The coffee shop was warm and inviting, with pool tables off to the side, dining tables scattered around the floor, and a small stage and a coffee bar at the head of the room. They were greeted by a sandy-haired man with Down syndrome, whom she assumed was Elliott.
“Baz, my man,” he said with an engaging smile.
“How’s it going, Elliott?” Ollie’s tail wagged happily, but when Baz told him to sit, all their training paid off, and he obeyed.
“Not as good as it is for you,” Elliott said. “Who’s your pretty lady friend with the cute baby? And can I pet your dog?”
Emerson smiled, instantly liking him.
“You sure can. His name is Ollie, and he belongs to this pretty lady, my girlfriend, Emerson.” As Elliott petted Ollie, Baz said, “And the baby is her son, Brennan.”
The word girlfriend twinkled around Emerson like a star only she could see.
“Emerson? That’s a pretty name.” Elliott pushed his glasses to the bridge of his nose. “I’m Elliott, your host extraordinaire.”
“I see that. It’s nice to meet you, Elliott.”
“Elliott has a memory like a vault. He knows everyone by name, and not only is he an extraordinary host, but he’s also an incredible baker,” Baz bragged.
“I am,” Elliott said proudly. “I love baking. I can make anything. I took classes, and I watch videos all the time.”
“Really? I bake, too, but usually just cookies and dog biscuits.” She noticed a tall, voluptuous redhead beaming at Baz as she headed their way in a cute floral sundress.
Elliott leaned closer, like he was sharing a secret, and said, “Play your cards right, and I’ll show you a thing or two one day.”
“I’d like that. I could use some pointers,” she said as the redhead sidled up to them.
Ollie’s tail wagged, and the redhead loved him up as she said, “A flock of birdies have been chirping about you having a new friend, and I wondered if I’d get a chance to meet her.”
Baz put a hand on Emerson’s back again. “Gabe, this is Emerson and her son, Brennan, and your new best friend, Ollie.”
“Hi,” Emerson said. “I like your coffee shop.”
“Thanks. I like your baby,” Gabe said cheerily. “He’s so little. How old is he?”
“Seven weeks,” she and Baz answered in unison, the pride in Baz’s voice as strong as the pride in hers, which surprised her, but she quickly realized he’d sounded like that since Brennan was born.
“ Shut the front door ,” Gabe exclaimed. “You gave birth seven weeks ago? You look amazing.”
“Thanks. I don’t see it, but I’m getting used to my new mom bod.”
“I wish I had your mom bod,” Gabe said. “Did Baz really deliver this baby, or is that just a rumor?”
“He did. Does the whole town know?” Emerson asked.
“Pretty much. Gossip spreads faster than weeds around here,” Gabe said. “How were his roadside manners?”
Baz cocked a brow. “My roadside manners ?”
“I couldn’t say bedside, or she might think I was asking about your sex life,” Gabe exclaimed. “And if you’re using manners in the bedroom, I do not want to hear about it.”
Emerson laughed.
“Look at me being rude and cornering you in the doorway. Do you want to get a table and sit down?” Gabe asked.
“No, thanks. We can’t stay,” Baz said. “Emerson is new to the area, and I just wanted to show her your coffee shop. She’s an editor, and she’s looking for a place to work for a few hours each week to get her out of the house with Brennan. I suggested she come here.”
“You definitely should,” Gabe said. “We have a baby changing station in the ladies’ room and a great crew of regulars who come in with their laptops to do their thing. You’d fit right in, and I’d get to see your little guy and take the edge off my maternal clock, which has been ticking way too loud lately.”
Elliott agreed. “Gabe, Emerson bakes, too.”
“That’s what I’ve heard,” Gabe explained. “Ginger and Con were in a couple of weeks ago to go over a few things for the rally, and Ginger mentioned that she’s trying to get you to make cookies to sell at the Salty Hog.”
“She’s brought it up a time or two,” Emerson said.
“Elliott is our resident baker, but we could always use more treats, so if you take the plunge, let me know,” Gabe suggested.
“They better be as good as mine,” Elliott said.
“I’m sure they’re not,” Emerson said with a smile.
Baz scoffed. “She’s being humble. Dude, I’ll bring you some. You’ll see how good they are.”
“I’d like to get in on the taste testing, too,” Gabe said, making them laugh.
They talked for a few more minutes, and Gabe hugged her before they left and said she hoped she’d see her often. As they drove away, Emerson knew she’d found her new favorite coffee shop, and she couldn’t wait to see what else Baz had in store for her.