“Who’s that?” Cassie asked.
She looked over his shoulder, prompting Bailey to turn in the direction she was staring. His heart did a little jump when he saw Tom approaching. Dressed in jeans and a red long-sleeved T-shirt with a huge grin, he was definitely a sight for sore eyes.
“Hey you,” Tom said when he got close. His voice was low and husky, a mischievous gleam in his eye. Bailey knew he was blushing at the sudden thoughts of the night before.
“Hey there.”
“I thought the guys might like something to eat.” Tom held out the box of muffins.
“Wow. Thanks.”
Bailey automatically held out his hands to take it but Tom quickly pulled the box back.
“Just a word of warning,” Tom said, amusement in his voice. “There are double chocolate chip muffins in this box, and they’re foreveryone.”
Cassie snickered, so Bailey shot her a look. She laughed even more.
“Thanks, Tom. They look great,” he said. And they did. Bailey’s stomach rumbled at the sight of the plump muffins resting under a layer of plastic wrap.
“Who do we have here, Bailey?” Cassie stepped forward, giving Tom a not-so-subtle once-over, her gazing sweeping from head to foot and spurring in Bailey an odd feeling of possessiveness. Tom was his.
Tom held out his hand. “I’m Tom. A friend of Bailey’s.”
Cassie grasped his hand and shook enthusiastically. “Aspecialfriend?”
“I… well… err….” Bailey’s heart was in his mouth as he waited for Tom to continue. Tom met his gaze. “Yeah. I’d like to think I’m aspecialfriend.”
Bailey couldn’t suppress the grin no matter how hard he tried. Tom smiled back, eyes shining as he gave Bailey a wink.
“Aww… you two areadorable,” Cassie said before calling to the others. “Hey, guys! Come over here and meet Bailey’sspecialguy.”
Oh my God. I’m never going to live this down.
But somehow Bailey wasn’t that worried. He liked Tom being his special friend. Liked it very much.
Jude joined them, closely followed by Emma.
“Hi. I’m Tom. Nice to meet you all. I brought you some muffins if you’re hungry.”
“Hey, man. I’m Jude. They look great.” Jude lifted the plastic wrap with one hand and reached into the box with the other.
“Hold your horses, buddy,” Cassie said, halting his progress.
“Huh?”
“Tom said the chocolate chip ones were special for Bailey,” she said.
“I did not say—” Tom started.
“So that fact that Bailey has a weakness for chocolate never entered your mind?”
“Well….”
“Huh! I thought so.” Cassie laughed. “But seriously, thanks for bringing these out.” She leaned across and snagged a muffin from the box, closely followed by Jude, who had the muffin in his mouth before Bailey could so much as blink.
“You’re very welcome.”
Bailey gave Tom a wink. He then turned to Emma, who was keeping her distance, standing slightly behind Jude. “Emma, this is Tom. Tom, this is my friend Emma.”
