Chapter 19
Three Kings was still closed by the time Savage dropped me off. Roman had given me a set of keys, so once I had the key into the lock and the door partially open, I turned toward the parking lot and waved to Savage.
I slipped inside and closed the door, locking it behind me, and then I went to disarm the alarm. I dug the folder out of my bag and set it on the counter.
I took a seat on the stool and opened the folder. I pulled out the sonogram and stared at it again before setting it aside. I read through the information that Doc had provided.
It was suddenly all too overwhelming, and the first sob broke past my lips, shattering the silence in the room. I was in the middle of a sob fest when the sound of a key in the lock startled me. The door opened and Homer stepped inside.
I paused mid cry as his eyes met mine and then a fresh set of tears fell. He quickly closed the door.
“Why are you crying?” he grumbled.
I cried harder.
Homer approached the counter, his gaze riveted on the sonogram. He picked it up and I lunged for it, but he took a step back and I couldn’t reach it.
He looked at it and frowned. “Did you get bad news at the doctor?”
“No.”
“Then why are you crying?” Homer glanced down at the sonogram again.
“Because I’m having twins and I’m terrified, you moron!” I yelled.
Homer set the sonogram down onto the counter. “Grab your shit.”
I gasped. “You’re firing me? For calling you a moron?”
He rolled his eyes. “No. Now grab your shit. Let’s go.”
“Where are we going?” I sniffed, hastily wiping underneath my eyes.
“To a place that’s gonna make you feel better.”
I frowned in confusion.
“I’m trying to be human here,” he muttered in exasperation.
I stuffed the papers back into the folder and picked up my purse. Homer already had the door open, and he waited for me. He locked up the parlor and remotely set the alarm.
Without a sound, I followed him to a bright red muscle car with black racing stripes on the hood, wondering where he was taking me.
Homer pulled into a parking spot on the street and cut the massive engine of the car.
“Where are we?” I asked.
“Pie in the Sky,” he announced.
I frowned. “And why are we here?”
“So you’ll stop crying.”
“I’ve already stopped crying,” I pointed out.
“There’s baked goods in there,” he muttered.
I stared at him.
“What?” he demanded.
“You’re a teddy bear,” I said in realization, my jaw dropping open.
“I’m not a teddy bear.”
“You so are . Why else would you bring me to a bakery if you weren’t a big ‘ol teddy bear?”
“I don’t like crying women.”
“You could’ve kicked me out of the tattoo parlor,” I said. “Or left me there by myself. You didn’t have to drive me to a place full of delicious treats to make me feel better.”
He paused. “Are you? Feeling better?”
I smiled.
Homer glared.
It only made me smile wider.
With a sigh, he reached into his jeans pocket and pulled out his wallet. “Here’s a twenty. Get whatever you want. Stay as long as you want. Take the day off.”
“Take the day off?”
“Yep. The last thing I need is for you to break down into tears again. Tears are bad for business.”
“I’m giving you exactly three seconds to prepare yourself,” I said.
“Prepare myself? For what?”
“For my incoming hug.”
“What? No, I don’t want?—”
I reached across the car and wrapped my arms around his shoulders. “I won’t tell anyone, I promise,” I whispered.
“Can this be over now?” he pleaded.
I dropped my arms and moved away. “Thanks, Homer.”
“Take the twenty.”
I shook my head. “You’ve done enough. Keep your money. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow,” he agreed with a glower. “Send Jazz out here, will you?”
“Jazz is working?”
He nodded.
“Okay,” I said with a sigh. “I’ll send her out.”
A cheery bell rang when I opened the bakery door and immediately my spirits lifted at the smell of sugar and lemon in the air.
A few of the tables were occupied, but there was no line at the counter. Jazz closed the register drawer and looked up. She smiled in surprise.
“Hi, Evie! Oh my God, your hair looks amazing!”
“Thanks.” I gave her a shy smile.
“Are you on your way to Three Kings?” she asked, looking behind me. “Is Savage with you?”
I shook my head. “Actually, Homer just gave me a ride here. And I have the day off.”
She raised her brows. “Oh?”
I nodded. “He—ah—asked for you. He’s out front.”
Jazz tossed her long, dark braid over her shoulder. “Then he can wait out there all he wants.”
“What am I missing?” I asked. “What’s with you two?”
Brielle came out of the back kitchen, carting a tray of freshly baked bear claws. “What’s with who?” She set the tray down on the counter. “Hey, Evie. That hair cut looks great on you.”
“Thanks,” I replied, suddenly realizing why Homer had brought me here of all places. It hadn’t just been the promise of baked goods, but the company, too.
Teddy bear, through and through .
“Homer’s out front,” Jazz said to Brielle. “And he’s asking for me.”
“And you’re not going out there,” Brielle said with an unhurried smile.
“Nope.”
Brielle laughed and turned to me. “Jazz has been in love with Homer for as long as any of us can remember. My brother is also in love with Jazz, but he refuses to stake his claim.”
“Why?” I asked.
“Million-dollar question.” Brielle shrugged. “He drove you here? Before work?”
I shook my head. “It’s a long story, but he ended up giving me the day off.”
A cell phone rang, and Brielle fished it out of her apron pocket. She looked at it and smirked. She tapped the screen and put the phone to her ear. “She’s not coming out.”
“Homer?” Jazz mouthed at Brielle, who nodded.
“She’s done, Homer,” Brielle said. “She’s done waiting for you to make your move. When I caught you two yelling your feelings for each other during Mom and Dad’s Christmas party, I gave you both my blessing. There’s no reason for you to—” She paused. “All right. Hang on.”
She held out the phone to Jazz, who shook her head. “I’m not talking to him.”
Brielle put the cell to her ear. “Did you hear that? She’s not—fine, I’ll tell her.” She hung up the phone. “He said that if you don’t go out there and talk to him then he’s going to come in here and carry you out over his shoulder.”
Jazz’s eyes glazed over.
“Ew, that should be hot, but it’s my brother . . .” Brielle wrinkled her nose.
“It’s very caveman-esque, but he’d never actually do it. He’s all bluster.” Jazz looked at me. “So, what are you having?”
“I’ll have?—”
The door to the bakery opened and Homer loomed in the doorway.
“Uh-oh,” Jazz muttered.
“Yeah, big uh-oh ,” Brielle agreed. “Hey, Homer.”
Homer didn’t say anything—he just stalked across the room with his eyes on Jazz. He came around the counter.
“This is a health code violation,” Jazz taunted. “You don’t work here.”
Without a word, Homer bent down, cradled the back of her head, and kissed her. Only when she was melting in his arms did he pull back.
“You—you . . .” Jazz couldn’t seem to form a word as she stared up at him.
Homer said nothing. Instead, he grasped her hand and all but dragged her to the exit. She didn’t utter a protest.
The bell on the door jangled before closing behind them.
“Huh,” Brielle said, chewing on her lip.
“Huh, what?” I asked.
“I guess telling Homer that Jazz was going on a date tonight finally got his ass in gear.” She grinned.
I smiled back. “I guess so.”
“They better name their first kid after me. Now, seriously, what are you ordering?”