Chapter Twenty-Three
BAZ HAD BEEN on a dead run at work all month, which was par for the course during the summer. He’d never minded before, but he would have liked to have had time to meet Emerson and Brennan for lunch again. She’d taken on a new editing job last week and had been bringing Brennan with her to work at Common Grounds in the mornings. She’d made a few new friends and was enjoying getting to know Gabe and her brothers, who were all enamored with Brennan. Baz had hoped to surprise Emerson by showing up there, but he hadn’t been able to get the time away. Having Quinton on board was helping, and it had alleviated the need for Baz to work overtime, but when he returned from his trip he would probably need to hire another veterinary assistant to speed up their appointments. He needed to talk with Evie about it.
He headed out of his office in search of her. “I’m taking off with the leftover cookies!” Tori called from the lobby. “See you tomorrow.” They’d closed half an hour ago.
“Have a good one,” he called back, surprised Evie hadn’t said anything about the cookies Emerson had given him to share with them. He wondered if Evie had already left, but she usually touched base with him before leaving for the day. He noticed the door to one of the exam rooms was closed. She probably hadn’t heard Tori.
He opened the door, and Evie and Quinton startled, both of them taking a step back.
What the…?
“Hey,” Evie said a little too breathily, smoothing her hair. “We were just going over the lab reports for the Davises’ dog.”
Lab reports my ass. He eyed them.
“Baz—” Quinton started, but Evie cut him off.
“I wanted to talk to you.” She grabbed Baz’s arm, tugging him out of the room. “Let’s go to your office.”
He gritted his teeth as they headed down the hall.
“I know what you’re thinking,” she said as they walked into his office.
He closed the door, watching her pace nervously. “That he should’ve come to me. That you should’ve come to me? What the hell, Eves?”
“Don’t get mad at Quinton. I asked him not to say anything. I wanted to tell you myself, but we’re so busy during the day, and you’re never around after work anymore. Not that I’m blaming you. It’s totally my fault, but these last couple of months, you’ve been out of here as soon as we’re done for the day.”
His thoughts stumbled. He tried to remember the last time they’d hung out after work like they used to several times a week. She, Quinton, and Tori were at the Salty Hog a few weeks ago when he’d gone with the guys after a meeting, but now that he was thinking about it, Evie hadn’t been as chummy with him as she usually was. Shit. How had that happened? He didn’t have to search far for the answer. This was on him. Emerson and Brennan were always front and center on his mind, and even when he was out with everyone else, he wasn’t as present as he used to be, because he wanted to be with them.
“You could’ve asked me to stick around or texted me to meet you somewhere to talk.”
She crossed her arms and uncrossed them. “I could’ve, but for the first time, I didn’t know what to say.”
He looked at the woman who had been his best friend for as long as he could remember, and he didn’t like the rift that was developing between them. Not to mention that an office romance complicated everything if it went bad, and then there was protecting Evie from getting hurt, which he’d always done. How the hell was he supposed to navigate this?
“Fuck.” He scrubbed a hand down his face. “How long has this been going on?”
She stopped pacing and shrugged. “A few weeks. Several , maybe.”
“Holy shit, Eves. How could I have missed that?”
“It’s not your fault. You weren’t there when it started, and until tonight, we’ve been really careful in the office.”
His protective side took over. “And the start of it? Was it consensual? He didn’t push you?”
“Not at all. He’s every bit the good guy you used to talk about.” She started pacing again. “We were at the Hog with everyone one night and we ended up talking for hours. We had a lot in common, and it was fun. It was better than fun. He’s smart, and interesting, and he’s a great listener. Like you . He drove me home that night because I’d gotten a ride with Mads, and I asked him in. One thing led to another—”
He held up his hand. “I don’t need those details.”
“We just talked , Baz. We talked until five thirty in the morning, and we had dinner the next night, and things progressed from there. It’s not serious. Or maybe it is.”
He arched a brow.
“ Okay ,” she said reluctantly. “I want it to be, and I think he does, too, but…” Her brow furrowed. “Are you mad?”
He took a deep breath, blowing it out slowly to center his thoughts before responding. “No. I want you to be happy, and I know Quint’s a good guy. But this complicates things. You know that. If this goes south, then we’re out a vet. Or worse. I’ll lose you .”
“You’re not at risk of losing me if things don’t work out. He and I have already talked about it.”
“I’m not trying to piss on your parade, but the timing of this couldn’t be worse. If you guys break up, it’ll fuck up my travel plans.” He’d been struggling with the idea of leaving, but he’d made a commitment, and he was a man of his word.
“You’re still going?” She looked shocked.
“What do you mean, still ?”
“I figured now that you and Emerson are together, you’d stick around.”
“And leave the organization that’s counting on me high and dry? When have you ever known me to do that?”
She looked at him a little sorrowfully. “We’re treading in uncharted territory. When in the last decade have you ever gotten close to a woman?”
“Fair point.”
“But you aren’t just falling for a woman. You’re falling for ten tiny fingers and toes, too.”
He didn’t even try to deny that he was falling for them. The truth felt too good. It had been a week and a half since he and Emerson had first made love, and their relationship just kept getting better. They’d spent most nights exploring each other’s bodies, and he enjoyed the nights they lay talking, or just holding each other, just as much as those intimate nights. They’d gone to the drive-in theater last weekend with Brennan and had shared their memories of being there as kids. Their relationship was pretty fucking perfect.
“I am crazy about her, but I’m sorry, Eves. I didn’t mean to put our friendship on the back burner.” He leaned his ass against the desk and shook his head.
“Neither did I, but it was bound to happen to us at some point.” She leaned against the desk beside him. “You couldn’t just fall for a woman who liked to hang out at the Hog and make fun of you with me, could you?”
“You do enough poking fun all on your own. Brennan is too young to leave for long, but soon enough we’ll be at the Hog with y’all.”
“ We. That sounds good coming from you.”
“It feels good. How about you, Eves?” He draped an arm over her shoulder. “You couldn’t find a guy I didn’t have to rely on to take care of my clients?”
“I blame you for bringing him into the office in the first place. There was a spark the first time we set eyes on each other. Like with you and Emerson, and don’t even try to deny that it was like that for you two. I told you I saw the way you looked at her.”
“I wasn’t going to.”
She rested her head on his shoulder. “I’m happy for you.”
“I’m happy for you, too, Eves.” He put his arm around her. “You know I need to talk to Quinton.”
“I know.”
“And lay down some rules.”
She winced. “If you say no sex in the exam rooms, we might have already broken that one.”
“ What? ” he snapped.
“I’m kidding!” She laughed. “But you should see your face.”
“It’s a good thing I love you.” He pulled her into a hug.
“I miss my bestie.” She hugged him tighter.
“I miss you, too.”
“No, you don’t.” She moved beside him again. “You have a new bestie.”
He thought about that. Emerson had become his person, too. She was the one he wanted to share his hopes and dreams with, the one he wanted to give everything she’d ever hoped for and more. But Evie would always be a different type of bestie. The person who’d always been there by his side and who he knew would be there as they moved forward with their new partners. “She can’t replace you. She’s not you , Eves.”
“ Obviously. I have better taste than her.”
“Watch it.” He laughed, crushing her against his side. “Can’t a guy have two besties?”
“Two besties and a baby? Sounds like a movie.”
There was a knock at the door, and Quinton’s voice came through the door. “Baz?”
He eyed her. “Am I sharing my bestie role, too?”
“I’ll get back to you on that.”
“Come in, Quint.” Baz kept his arm protectively around Evie.
Quinton walked in, his gaze going straight to Evie, searching her face, as if he were taking a pulse on her emotions, making sure Baz hadn’t upset her. “Everything okay here?”
“So far,” Baz answered.
“Good,” Quinton said. “For a minute there I was worried I’d lose Evie because you’d get pissed and fire me, and then she’d get pissed and lose you, which would cause her to turn on me.”
Evie and Baz exchanged a knowing glance, and they both pushed from the desk. Baz crossed his arms over his chest and stared Quinton down, needing him to know the truth. “Evie couldn’t lose me no matter how much she pissed me off. I’ll always have her back.”
“You think I don’t know that?” Quinton cocked a grin. “Dude, I spent four years with you. You’re loyal to the bone.”
Baz lifted his chin. “Then why’d you say it?”
“So I could tell you that you’ll have to get in line behind me.” Quinton walked over to Evie and put his arm around her.
Evie beamed up at him.
Baz was happy for both of them, despite the potential complications. Now that he had Emerson and knew how much a deep, meaningful relationship added to his life, he wanted that for them. Hell, he wanted it for everyone. “Good to know. Now, let’s talk about office etiquette.”
A tease rose in Evie’s eyes, and she leaned closer to Quinton, speaking conspiratorially. “ Ixnay on the exsay in the exam room. He gets touchy.”
They all laughed, but Baz quickly schooled his expression. “That’s not funny.” But his lips betrayed him, tipping up as he said, “If anyone’s christening the exam room, it’s me and Emerson.”
“Ha!” Evie exclaimed. “There’s the bestie I know and love.”
WHEN BAZ ARRIVED at Emerson’s that evening, he spotted her through the kitchen window. She was twirling in a cute floral summer dress, singing into a wooden spoon to Brennan in his bouncy seat. Little B was changing so fast, sucking his thumb like a champ and holding his head up. He was much more interactive, tracking them as they moved around the room, kicking his legs when he was happy, and making noises like he had something to say. His skin had gotten a little darker in recent weeks, and he was still rocking the coolest natural mohawk Baz had ever seen, and it suited him well. Hell, he could have purple hair and polka-dot skin, and he’d still be the cutest kid on the planet. Emerson sent pictures and videos throughout the day, and they never failed to make Baz wish he was with them. Coming home to them was a million times better than hanging out at the Salty Hog or doing anything else.
He headed inside with the bag of Chinese food he’d picked up on the way and was met with the sweet aroma of cinnamon and vanilla, reminding him of the first time Emerson had come into his office. The rescue’s adoption event was on Saturday, and she’d been baking all week.
Ollie barreled into him. “How’s my boy?”
“Hey, Baz,” Emerson called out.
He’d gotten so used to hearing her voice when he walked in the door, he wondered how he’d ever get used to coming home to an empty place when he was overseas.
“Hi, darlin’. Be right in.” He loved up Ollie. “Did you steal any blankets today, buddy?”
Ollie had gotten in the habit of snagging Brennan’s blanket out of the crib and bringing it to him. Whenever Brennan fell asleep in his bouncy seat on the floor, Ollie would cover him with it. He was a great big brother. “Come on. Let’s go see Little B and your mama.”
Emerson was pulling a tray of cookies out of the oven when Baz walked in. Brennan kicked his feet, cooing, that adorable smile making his chubby cheeks even cuter. “Hey, little man. I missed you and your mama today.” Baz put the Chinese food on the table and picked up Brennan, kissing his cheek.
“We missed you, too,” Emerson said as she put the tray on the top of the stove. The shelves above the counters all held cooling trays of cookies and doggy biscuits.
Baz slipped his other arm around her, drawing her into a kiss. She was insanely adorable with flour on her cheek and forehead and cookie crumbs on her chest. “Hi, beautiful. How was your day?”
“Amazing. Brennan and I had a great morning at the café. He was awake for a lot of it while I was working, and he was happy. All the customers commented about how cute he was and how much they loved his hair.”
“Little dude’s got great hair.”
“He’s got great everything.” She kissed Brennan’s cheek. “Did I tell you that Elliott asked if I wanted to bake with him one afternoon and trade secrets?”
“No, you didn’t. Is he trying to move in on my woman?”
She laughed and started portioning cookie dough onto another tray. “ Hardly. Although he’s got swagger.”
“No shit. He flirts more than Zander.”
“Now, that’s saying something. I think he wants my mom’s recipe for the lemon-bar hearts I brought him the other day. But that’s okay. I want to see how he makes the apple-cinnamon muffins. He puts something in them that makes them better than any I’ve ever had, but I can’t put my finger on what it is.”
“Good luck getting it out of him. If you go on a Saturday, I can watch Brennan.”
“Thanks, but Gabe already offered, and she’s going to be there anyway. We’re going to do it next week. I almost forgot. Remember the girl I met last week, Whitney?”
“Yeah, I think so. Young? Aspiring writer?”
“That’s her. Apparently she’s been writing for a while, and she has a stack of manuscripts, but she’s afraid they’re not very good. She asked if I would read one of them and give her feedback. She doesn’t have money for editing, but the stories sound good.”
“That’s cool. So you’re going to read one?”
“Yeah, as I have time. Not on a deadline or anything. If her writing is strong, I’ll edit it for her at no charge.”
He fucking loved that. “That’s my big-hearted girl, paying it forward. I’m sure she’ll appreciate that.”
She put the tray in the oven and kissed the back of Brennan’s neck, earning smiles as he buried his face in Baz’s shirt. “This little guy has some big news, too.”
He looked at Brennan. “You holding out on me, Little B?”
“Chloe and Leah asked us if we wanted to have a playdate again while you and the guys are on your ride Sunday. We had fun last weekend, and Rosie and Junie adore the babies. I don’t know how Leah and Tank stand the cuteness in that house.”
Baz caught himself almost saying, Our kids will be even cuter. He didn’t know where that thought came from, but it sounded more than right to him. “That’s great.”
“They said not to be surprised if your mom and Reba just happen to stop by again.”
He smiled. “They happen to show up a lot when kids are involved.” He pointed to a cookie, lifting his brows.
“You can have one, but don’t eat those. They’re not frosted yet and won’t be as good.” She handed him an impeccably decorated dog-shaped cookie that looked just like Ollie.
Ollie parked himself at Baz’s feet. “I will never understand how you can decorate these so perfectly and still have time to do anything else. But don’t waste your hard work on me. I’m happy to eat an unfrosted one.”
“I’ve been decorating cookies for so long, I can practically do it blindfolded, and nothing is wasted on you. I get to see those dimples when you eat my yummy cookies.”
He grinned.
“See? Lucky me.” She went up on her toes and kissed him. “How was your day?”
“Interesting.” He gave a piece of his cookie to Ollie. “Evie and I talked about you.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Why? What did you say?” She started measuring out more ingredients and putting them in a bowl.
He put Brennan back in his seat and drew her into his arms again. “I told her I was crazy about you.”
“You did?”
“ Mm-hm. ”
“Well, that’s better than saying I drive you crazy with my constant baking messes.”
“I like your baking and your messes.” He lowered his lips to hers in a long, slow kiss.
She came away looking tipsy and put her hand on his chest. “If that’s what my messes do to you, I’ll keep making them.”
He laughed and gave her a quick kiss before she went back to measuring. “Have you given any more thought to selling your cookies and doggy biscuits?”
“Maybe a little ,” she said coyly. “What else did you and Evie talk about?”
“Our friendship, and her and Quinton.” He patted her ass and dropped a kiss on her neck. “I think I caught them making out after work today.”
“In the office ?” She kept her eyes trained on the ingredients she was measuring.
“Yeah. I talked to Evie about it, and she said they’ve been hooking up for a while, so I had a talk with both of them and set up sound ground rules.” They’d had a good talk and had agreed upon fair and professional interoffice rules.
“ Finally! ” She exhaled loudly. “It took her long enough to tell you.”
“Wait a minute. You knew ?”
She bit her lower lip, brow furrowing. “Kinda, sorta, maybe .”
“And you kept it from me?”
“Please don’t be mad.” She set down the measuring cup, speaking a mile a minute. “Evie mentioned it at the book club meeting, and she asked all of us not to say anything. I wanted to tell you, but there’s a girl code, and she said she didn’t know if things with Quinton would go anywhere. Although at the time she wanted it to. But she was afraid of getting him in trouble. I asked her to tell you, and she promised she would. I’m sorr—”
He silenced her with another kiss. “It’s okay.”
“You’re not mad?”
“No. Evie shouldn’t have put you in that situation, but I get it. Girls talk, and that girl code has been around since my mom was young. I can’t fight that any more than you can fight my being in the club.”
Relief washed over her face. “For what it’s worth, I hated keeping it from you, and I nearly told you dozens of times.” She dragged a finger down his chest. “But I promise to make it up to you after I’m done baking, and I feed Brennan, and we have dinner, and Brennan goes to bed.”
He laughed and kissed her. “Deal.” He rubbed his hands together. “Put me to work, darlin’.”
“Do you really want to help?”
“Yes. The sooner we finish baking, the sooner I can get you naked.”
She licked her lips, looking damn sexy. “I like the way you think, Baxter Wicked.”
“Fuck it.” He hauled her into his arms, and she laughed as he lifted her onto the table and wedged his body between her legs. “Look away, Little B. Daddy’s about to get dirty with Mommy.” As he lowered his mouth toward hers, her jaw dropped, eyes wide as saucers, and he realized what he’d said. Fuck. “I didn’t mean…It just came out. Sor— ”
She crushed her mouth to his, kissing the ever-loving hell out of him.