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“I’m the biggestjerk that ever walked the planet.” Baylee plopped down in a chair and hung her purse on the back of it.
“No you’re not. And I heard. Well, not that you’re a jerk…” Kate sat across from her, Hannah in the chair beside.
Meg was next to Baylee. They’d agreed to meet for dinner. Normally a coffee date was in order for Mondays, but they’d switched it because of everyone’s schedules. That was fine with Baylee. She needed some girl talk and she needed it now.
“What do you mean, you heard?”
“Well, believe it or not, Drew called me. I’m still a bit shocked myself. He’s not one to share anything without it being dragged out of him. But he said he’d upset you and wanted to know how to fix it.”
Baylee laid her head in her hands. “Then it’s official. I’m more than a jerk.”
Hannah placed a hand on her arm and gently pulled her hands from her face. “Talk to us, Baylee. What happened?”
Baylee proceeded to fill them in on how she came home to find Drew and Casey throwing a baseball back and forth and then laid into him like he’d let her son play with a Bengal tiger. What she didn’t say was how her heart had leapt in her chest at the sight of Casey with a baseball glove on and the hint of a smile on his face. Or that the glow from Drew’s demeanor lit up the yard. How in that moment she loved them both more than she ever thought humanly possible. And that it scared the living daylights out of her.
“Wow. I’m not sure about biggest status, but jerk might be applicable.”
“Thank you so much, Meg.”
“Sorry.” She put an arm around Baylee and hugged her. “Sometimes my sarcasm is ill-timed.”
Baylee hugged her back. “It’s okay.”
The waitress came by and took their orders then went to get their drinks. “Is this because of Erik?” Kate asked.
Baylee took a deep breath and let it out. It was. Of course it was. If Erik hadn’t shown up the night before and rattled her, reminded her of all the crud from when they were together, her mind wouldn’t have ever gone to getting angry with Drew. But she was too chicken to admit that to him. Instead of telling him about her conversation with Erik, she’d blown up at him for no reason. Well, a reason, but not a totally valid one.
Kate reached across the table and too her hand. “Talk to him, Baylee. I know I’m his sister so I’m biased, but he’s a good guy. The best, really. He loves you. He wants only the best for you and Casey.”
“Yeah. I’m sure if you explain about Erik, he’ll understand.” Meg agreed.
Baylee nodded and pulled her hand back as the waitress set down their drinks. “My mom said the same thing. We talked some when she came over to watch Casey tonight.” She chuckled. “It’s funny. My mom all but took Drew’s side. Believe me when I say, she has never done that with anyone I’ve dated before.”
“Well, that’s a good sign,” Hannah said. “If your mom likes him, right?”
“Likes him? I think she’d rather he be her child right now instead of me.”
The women laughed.
“You can fix this, Baylee,” Kate said. “I promise. Don’t ever tell him I said this, but Drew has never been this crazy about anyone. He sounded awful earlier. He wants this to work. He wants you.”
Baylee’s spirits lifted. “Okay. I’ll talk to him.”
“Text him right now and ask him to meet you after dinner. Someplace romantic!” Meg clasped her hands together.
“Wait. What? Did you just say something about romance?” Baylee teased her friend.
“I did and if you tell anyone, you’re dead.” Meg dropped her hands and gave Baylee the evil eye.
Baylee laughed.
“Yes! This is such a great idea.” Hannah all but squealed.
“Okay, the girly romance stuff we expect from Hannah, but not you, Meg.” Kate said.
Meg rolled her eyes and grabbed her drink. She lifted it in a toast. “To Drew and Baylee. May this evening end with romance and hot kisses.”
“I’ll drink to that,” Hannah said.
They clinked glasses. All Baylee wanted was for Drew to forgive her. But she wouldn’t turn down any hot kisses if Drew was willing.
“I’ll drink to it, but this is my brother we’re talking about. Let’s keep it clean.”
They laughed again and prodded Baylee into sending Drew a text. He answered immediately, agreeing to meet her at the bakery. Not the most romantic of spots, but one where no one would bother them.
She enjoyed dinner with her friends, but kept stealing glances at her phone, the one where Drew’s text stared back at her saying, “I’ll be there. I love you, Baylee. Always know that.”
