“Don’t feel bad, you are not the first to be surprised. He’s actually a really great guy when you get to know him.” Kenzie found that hard to believe but she smiled anyway.
Cassie finally released her hand and clapped hers together. “Am I the first?” Kenzie stared back at her.The first what?
“Whoa, baker girl, slow down and back away from my girl. Gonna send her running with all your crazy.” She glared playfully at Bogs but she quickly smiled again when he put his arm over her shoulder. “Yes, you are the first. You get the bragging rights, get to run back to the rest of them and say you met her first.” He raised his head and inhaled. “You making brownies?”
“Well, yeah, had to make your visit worthwhile since there’s nothing wrong with me. Damn, stubborn, bossy man of mine. I mention I’m nauseous and he’s ready to call the ambulance, as if I’m the first woman in history to be pregnant.”
Now, it made sense. Not that T was married or a soon-to-be dad. She still couldn’t figure out why someone would put up with him, but his concern made sense, and it made him seem more human.
“She makes the best brownies, c’mon, you gotta have one while I have six,” Bogs said, walking further into the house.
“That’s how I got dubbed baker girl.” Cassie giggled. “It’s better than being weather girl.”
“He’s got a thing with that, huh?”
Cassie nodded.” Yep, I’m baker girl, Sadie is weather girl, but don’t ask her why when you meet her. She hates her story. And my best friend, Evie, is shy girl.”
She was secretly happy no one got her nickname.
They entered the kitchen to see Bogs shoving a brownie in his mouth. They smelled delicious.
“Please eat some, the sight of any food turns my stomach so they’ll go to waste.” She turned to Bogs. “I was giving her the history of your nicknames. So, when are you going to give Kenzie one?”
“Already did. First time I saw her.” Bogs shifted his gaze to Kenzie and the butterflies swirled in her stomach. “Isn’t that right,pretty girl?”
She didn’t think it was possible to make her a giddy middle schooler but her cheeks flushed and nothing she did could hold back her smile.
“Awww…” Cassie sniffled. Kenzie looked over to see her with tears in her eyes. Bogs calling her pretty girl was sweet and made her happy but certainly not enough to make anyone cry. Cassie shook her head. “Sorry, hormones.”
They spent the next hour at Cassie’s place discussing her hard-headed overprotective husband. It was strange how seeing a person through someone else’s eyes could change how she saw T. Through Cassie, he didn’t seem like such an awful guy, more like Bogs said earlier, just rough around the edges. And the middle maybe.
“So, you’ll be at dinner on Sunday?” Cassie asked her as they walked through the door.
“Um...” Kenzie didn’t know how to answer that.
“Yeah, we’ll be there. Didn’t know anything was planned though.”
Cassie blushed, looking between Kenzie and Bogs, a guilty smile curling her lips. “Well, technically, I just planned it.”
“When?”
“About ten seconds ago.” She curled her arm around Bogs’ waist. It was a familiar brotherly hug that he returned.
Once he agreed, they drove over to the office.
“She’s great.”
“There you go again, sounding surprised.” Bogs chuckled, turning onto Main Street. He gave her a side glance. “You know, T’s actually a good guy, just has no bedside manner. And he’s got no time for people he doesn’t care about. That’s the thing, when you’re in, when he takes you into the fold as family or friend, he’d do anything for you.”
She nodded and turned to look out the window. She doubted she’d ever be takeninby T.
****
They made it downtown to his office ten minutes later. He parked in his usual spot and grabbed her laptop bag before she could. She actually looked surprised when he grabbed it. He hoisted both his and her bags over his shoulders and rounded the front of the truck.
“I could have carried my own bag,” she said.
“Yeah, but then I wouldn’t have been able to show all my gentlemanly skills.” He winked and walked to the back door.
