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Chapter Sixteen
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Drew paced in front of Baylee’s bakery. He’d gotten there early, eager to talk to Baylee as soon as possible. After Erik had shown up at the saloon the night before, she’d given Drew a quick version of their conversation. Wanting her to have a nice evening, he didn’t push to know more, but now, he wished he had. It was obvious the guy’s visit rattled her more than she’d let on.
He dug his hands into the pockets of his cargo shorts and leaned against the wall beside her front door. People strolled by, window shopping. Many shops were closed on Monday in Silver Bay having been opened all weekend for tourists. It was a beautiful night. Clear enough to see the stars. Drew ran a hand through his hair. The day had started out so great and got so horrible so fast. He didn’t regret playing catch with Casey, but he sure regretted not talking to Baylee first.
As if he wished her to appear, she stepped in front of him.
“Hey.”
Their eyes met. More than his next breath, he wanted to pull her to him and hold her close, but unsure of where they stood, he kept his hands in his pockets and fought he urge. “Hey, yourself.”
She smiled.
That was a good sign, right?
Moving past him, she unlocked the door to the bakery and they went inside. She closed and locked it behind them, motioning for him to take a seat at one of the tables.
“Let me make us some coffee real quick. I’ll be right back.”
He nodded and took a seat.
She ran a hand over his shoulder as she passed him on her way to the kitchen, the slight touch sending warmth through his system. She wasn’t mad anymore. Yet another good sign. He relaxed a bit.
Unable to wait to be near her again, he followed her into the kitchen. She turned when she reached the coffee pot, surprised to see him with her.
“Baylee, I’m so sorry.”
“No, Drew. I’m sorry. You have nothing to apologize for.”
He leaned a hip against the center island and watched while she poured water into the coffee pot and placed grounds into a filter.
She hit the on button and faced him. “You did nothing wrong. In fact, you’ve done everything right.” With a few steps she stood before him, close enough to touch, and yet he still didn’t trust himself. “You have been amazing with Casey. That’s one of the reasons I fell for you. You’ve accepted us both, unafraid of what might be in the future for him.”
“I think I fell in love with Casey as fast I did with you.”
She blinked and a tear rolled down her cheek. She swept it away with her hand. “Again, you’re amazing.”
“I’m not trying to be amazing. I’m just trying to be who you and Casey need. Who you deserve.”
Her eyes met his and she smiled. “Man, you’re easy on me.”
Unable to hold back any longer, he reached for her, wrapping his arms around her waist and holding her close. “Well, you are beautiful and a good dancer, which is a bonus.” He teased her with the words she’d said to him the night before as they’d danced.
Her giggle fluttered against his chest like butterfly wings.
“I guess being with me is no picnic sometimes either.”
“I have it on good authority that picnics are overrated.”
The coffee pot hissed as it finished brewing. She poured them two mugs and set them on the island while Drew pulled two tall stools up for them to sit.
“I don’t know why I let Erik get to me so much,” she said. “He saw the picture of us online and gave me a bunch of nonsense about how I was moving from a guy who couldn’t make it the pros to one who had…”
Drew took a sip of his coffee to keep from saying anything to that. But it looked like another round with the punching bag might come in handy later. This ex of hers was a piece of work.
“Anyway, that stuff is all about his insecurities and has nothing to do with me. Then he said he was getting married to a woman with athletic kids and was so excited.” She took a deep breath in and let it out. “I have zero feelings for Erik anymore and yet he says stuff that gets under my skin. I didn’t realize how much until I came home and saw you playing baseball with Casey. I snapped. I’m so sorry.”
