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Chapter Twelve
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The days began to fly by. Drew and Baylee fell into a routine of him going to San Jose for workouts while she was at the bakery. Then they’d spend the evenings at her house for dinner and watching a movie or baseball. Casey had become obsessed with the game. Loved it. Everywhere he went, he carried the book around that Drew had bought for him. He recited baseball stats all through dinner and asked Drew countless questions about the game. She’d watch both, leaning forward on the sofa after dinner, intent on every play of a game, Drew pointing out things to Casey while Casey quietly retained it all. He’d ask something now and then, or throw in a stat he’d read.
Drew never once lost patience with Casey. Like Kate said, he was control personified. And his eyes lit up too, talking so much about the sport he loved. He never focused on the fame or money, just his love of the game. It made Baylee fall for him even more.
It was Saturday and the bakery was hopping. The weather was a near perfect seventy degrees with clear blue skies. A blue that made her think of Drew’s eyes when he was relaxed. Content. They turned more of a smoky color right before he kissed her. Heat flushed her cheeks as she thought of the many kisses they’d shared over the past few days. The man was as skilled a kisser as he was at throwing a baseball.
“Um, boss lady. You’re frosting the coffee cake.”
Eva’s voice brought Baylee from her thoughts. She looked at her friend, who insisted on the horrible nickname of boss lady, then down at the counter in front of her. Sure enough, instead of grabbing the cupcakes to frost, she’d grabbed the coffee cake.
“Darn it all! I’ve gone and ruined it.”
Eva laughed and scooted the pan away from Baylee. “Only a couple pieces. But the silver lining is that now we can eat them. And I’m thinking frosting on these babies will be yumeee.”
Eva whisked away to the kitchen while Baylee slid the tray of cupcakes in front of her. The cupcakes she was supposed to be frosting but her head was so far in the clouds she’d messed up.
“Good gracious. This man has me turned upside down and sideways,” she mumbled to herself.
“If I had a man like Drew, I’d let him turn me any way he wanted.”
Baylee jumped at Eva’s voice. She’d returned from the kitchen without Baylee noticing.
Baylee rolled her eyes and shooed Eva away. “Go. Go do… whatever it is I need you to do. It’s busy. Help Janie at the counter. She looks swamped.”
Eva looked towards Janie who was helping the one person at the register then back to Baylee. “Whatever you say, boss lady.”
Baylee fought back the urge to roll her eyes again. She adored Eva. She was her right hand around here. But she did love to tease. She eyed the bakery. It was still busy but most everyone had purchased their goodies and sat at tables. Janie had a handle on the register, the line now dying down.
The bell over the door chimed and Kate walked in with Maggie. Again, her middle had grown since Baylee had seen her last. At the rate she was going, it could be twins. Baylee smiled at the thought. Wouldn’t that be something?
They waved to Baylee then went to the register to place an order. Maggie breezed by her on the way to a table and said, “If you get a second, join us.”
“Okay.” Baylee watched as her friends sat down.
Maggie eyes lit up at the donut in front of her, but Kate seemed… off. She’d smiled when she came in, but something was bugging her. What could it be? Hopefully things were okay with the store. Baylee had noticed customer traffic in and out looked good lately, with Kate being her store neighbor.
The conversation they’d had about Drew came to mind. Maybe Kate was still worried about her and Drew together. She’d thought of asking Drew about it, but whenever they were together, she was so happy and peaceful. Bringing up all that could go wrong between them wasn’t how she wanted to spend the precious time she had with him.
She finished frosting the cupcakes and left them to Eva to put away. After getting a glass of water, she joined her friends.
“What are you two up to today?”
“I’ve been shopping for stuff for the baby’s room. I wandered in to visit Kate at Atmosphere and she said she had time to pop in here with me for a treat.”
“A treat is something you have every once in a while, dear sister. At the rate you’re going, pastries are your daily meals.”
In response, Maggie took huge bite of donut and added, “Hmmmm.” Once she was done chewing, she stuck out her tongue at her sibling.
Kate shook her head. “Real mature.”
Maggie dismissed her with a wave and took another bite of donut.
Baylee smiled, loving the way her two friends teased. It made her miss her own sister, how the two of them could banter the same way.
There was a sourness to Kate’s mood though.
