Winnie whips her gaze back and forth between the two of us. “If you all know each other, would you like to sit together for the tasting? Ms. Gordon has already given me her style and decorating specs, so all you’re here for is the tasting, Mr. Wild.”
Brayden hesitates, his eyes on me, and I bite my lip. But Sophia waves him over. “Come take a seat!”
Brayden takes off his coat and puts it on the back of the chair next to me. Sophia kicks me under the table and smiles widely, and I know she’s loving the fact that he’s here.
Could this be any more awkward? And where is Phillip?
Like his ear is burning, my phone beeps with a text.
You’re going to have to do the tasting without me. Dr. Lucas asked me to stay to run through some analysis with him. I promise I’ll make it up to you.
I turn off my phone angrily. Phillip can make all the promises he wants, but the thing is, there’s always going to be another paper. And his workaholic nature is never going to end.
When I look up, all three people in the room are watching me.
“Everything okay?” Brayden murmurs, concern etched on his face.
Willing myself to pull my shit together, I give him a bright, completely false smile as I nod.
And he knows I’m full of shit.
He reaches for my hand, like he’s not even thinking about it, and covers it with his own.
Sophia gasps.
Brayden’s cheeks redden. He never shows embarrassment like that, and I stare at him in surprise as he immediately removes his hand and pats my arm awkwardly like his movements were all planned.
Winny grabs three pieces of chocolate cake covered with red icing. “Cherry flavored,” she explains about the red frosting. “Maybe Ms. Gordon will like this flavor.”
For the next hour, the three of us eat cake. And it’s fun. Sophia’s silliness breaks the tension in the room, and Brayden FaceTimes Jasalie to give her his opinion. Jasalie’s thrilled when she sees Sophia and me.
“Let the ladies help you choose, Brayden!” she says to him. “And Dylan said he’s going to set you up? What’s that about?”
Brayden tugs at his hair. “Jasalie, your husband doesn’t know when to mind his own business.”
She laughs. “And Leleila, I still hope you’ll come to the wedding also!”
“Um…” I pause, and Brayden jumps in.
“If she can make it, I’m sure she will.”
I glance over at Sophia, and she puts her hands over her face and giggles.
Brayden says goodbye to Jasalie and then leans closer to me so he can disconnect the call. Maybe it’s my imagination, but it feels like he lingers for a moment longer than necessary. I can smell his cologne, and him, and my pulse starts galloping.
And then, the moment breaks.
Brayden thanks Winnie for her time and stands up.
He grabs his coat off the chair and walks out of the bakery.
I tell Sophia I have to go, and then I grab my coat too and run after him. He’s already partway across the parking lot when I call out.
“Brayden.”
He stops and turns back to look at me. “Leleila, I’m sorry. I was surprised as hell to see you in there.”
I’m well aware that lines are being blurred all over the place. I also know that I’ve never felt this happy before and that my wedding will be upon me before I know it.
