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They moved through the kitchen together as she gave him instructions. He pulled chocolate chips and flour from the pantry, along with brown sugar, sugar, and vanilla extract. She combined ingredients in a certain order then began mixing it with a large spoon.
“I know that a mixer is much quicker and works better, but I like to do it by hand. I think it makes the cookies taste better. Things blend better.”
Her arms began to ache and her muscles moved with each whisk of the spoon. Lost in thought as she usually was when baking, she jumped a bit when Drew brought his arms around her from behind.
“Let me help.” He began to stir the mixture, holding the bowl with one hand, the spoon with the other.
She wrapped her hands around the bottom of the bowl, helping him hold it in place, as well as giving her something to stay grounded. His breath was warm on her neck, his body flush up against hers. His forearm muscles flexed with the movement of the spoon. He placed a soft kiss on her earlobe and then one on her neck drawing a heavy sigh from her. Never before had baking been this good. Never.
“I think I like baking.” He whispered in her ear.
She giggled. “I had a feeling you’d take a liking to it.”
“I’ve taken a liking to my teacher, that’s for sure.”
She placed her hands on top of his. “Okay. We’re good on the stirring. Now it’s time to put them on the cookie sheet and get them in the oven.”
“Okay.” He took a step back to give her room, her body missing his immediately.
When she turned, however, he made up for it, running his hands through her hair and kissing her until she was backed up against the counter, forgetting her own name.
“Mama.”
Casey’s voice brought them back down to reality. Baylee jumped but Drew took a smooth step back and said, “Hey, Casey. How’s it going?”
Baylee smoothed down her hair and apron. “Hi, Sweetie. You ready for some dinner?”
“Yes, please. Thank you for the book, Mr. MacIntire.” The baseball book in hand, Casey turned and left the kitchen, plopped himself down at the table and began reading again.
“Man, I love that kid.” Drew grinned at her son.
Caught off guard, she blinked, unsure of what to say. He loved Casey? Did that mean Drew loved her too? Her heart raced in her chest.
“He says what’s on his mind and moves on. It’s awesome.” Only then did Drew look from Casey to her. He must have seen something in her expression because his smile faded. “What? What’s wrong?”
“What are we doing?”
“What do you mean? We’re making cookies. Having dinner…” He put his hands out, gesturing to the kitchen.
“No. I mean you and me. What are we doing?”
Drew dropped his hands to his sides, the look on his face not one that screamed, “We’re falling in love and it’s amazing and everything I’ve ever wanted.”
“I don’t know.”
Baylee certainly didn’t intend to get into this in the middle of the kitchen before they’d even had dinner, but there it was, laid out in between them, waiting for an answer.
“I need to know, Drew. I have a son. I can’t be flippant with relationships, or my life.”
“I know.”
She took a deep breath in and let it out. “I’m so sorry. I’m making this sound as if it’s all on you and it’s not. I haven’t been leading you on. At least, I haven’t meant to. I really…”
“Neither have I.” He stood three steps away from her in the small kitchen, his head down.
Way too far away. She wanted him close. Wanted reassurance this would work. But she knew as much as he did that wasn’t going to be easy to give.
“I want this.”
