"I'm not lying." I turned down the next aisle and tried to focus on the shopping list in my hand. This wasn't a good time to be scatterbrained, but I couldn't concentrate. All of this was too overwhelming. "I'm just waiting for the right time."
"And when is that? After the baby's born?"
"After the marriage is annulled." I stopped and faced her. "Once he knows I'm not trying to stay married to him or get his money, then I'll tell him. But not before."
Wren heaved out a sigh and reached up to take a package of baker's chocolate off the shelf and drop it into the cart. "You're making a mistake."
"Maybe." I started moving again and she fell into step beside me. "But it's my mistake to make. Promise me you won't say anything."
"Lainey—"
"Promise me, Wren." I stopped and looked at her directly. "This has to be my decision. When I tell him and how I tell him. Not yours."
The look on her face told me she wasn't happy about this, but she nodded and scowled. "Fine. I promise, but I think you're wrong."
We finished shopping in silence and loaded everything into my car. The drive back to the bakery felt tense and uncomfortable, and I could feel Wren's disapproval radiating from the passenger seat as she chewed her fingernails. There was more to what she was thinking, but she graciously kept it to herself. When we pulled into the parking lot, I saw a familiar car already there.
Kade's Lamborghini sat in front of my bakery, and my heart jumped into my throat.
"Is that him?" Wren asked, peering through the windshield. "Oh my god that car is worth like a million bucks." Her eyes bugged out as she craned her neck to look out the window as we drove past.
"Yeah." I parked next to his car and turned off the engine. "What's he doing here?"
"Maybe you should ask him." Wren gave me a pointed look. "And while you're at it, maybe tell him the truth."
"Wren—"
"I know, I know. I promised," she said, rolling her eyes and holding both hands up in surrender. She climbed out of the car and grabbed one of the grocery bags. "But I still think you're making a mistake."
She walked past Kade where he stood by the bakery door and leaned close to whisper harshly in my ear as she passed. "Tell him."
I watched her disappear inside and then turned to face Kade. He was smiling and looked relaxed in jeans and a dark shirt, and I felt my resolve waver. How was I supposed to keep this secret when he looked at me that way? But how would I tell him and wreck his whole world? Men like him didn't want a baby. They wanted freedom and the ability to do whatever they wanted.
"What was that about?" he asked, chuckling as he gestured toward where Wren had gone.
"Just sister stuff." I popped the trunk and started pulling out grocery bags. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to pick up the paperwork." He moved to help me and grabbed several bags at once. "But I can help you carry these in first."
I handed him the annulment papers from my purse and he tucked them under his arm while balancing the groceries. We walked into the bakery together and I directed him to set everything on the counter in the back kitchen.
"Do you need help with anything else?" he asked, looking around at the industrial mixers and ovens. "I've got some time."
"I wasn't planning on baking today." I started unpacking the groceries and putting things away. "Just stocking up."
"Can I get a tour then?" He leaned against the counter and watched me work. "I'm investing in this place. I should probably know what I'm investing in."
I smiled despite my nervousness and gestured for him to follow me. I showed him the front of the shop where customers placed orders, then the display cases I filled with baked goods every morning. Then we headed back to the kitchen and I explained my workflow and the different stations I'd set up for different types of baking. I was starting to relax a little around him, though the edge never quite left. Wren let herself out and I heard her car take off, so that helped. And when we stopped by the big fridge and I had nothing left to show him we fell into an awkward silence, which I broke by clearing my throat.
"Want to try something?" I opened one of the refrigerated cases and pulled out a tray of cupcakes I'd made yesterday. They were chilled enough to put into the freezer now; I just hadn't gotten to it yet. "These are for the fundraiser, but you can try one."
He picked up a chocolate one and took a bite, and I watched his face as he tasted it. His eyes closed for a moment and he made a sound that sent heat straight through me. It was the same sound he made when he licked his fingers after making me come.
"That's incredible," he said after swallowing. "What's in it?"
"Trade secret." I grabbed a vanilla one and bit into it, and crumbs dusted my cheek. I reached up to wipe them away but Kade caught my hand.
"Hold still." He brushed his thumb across my cheek and collected the crumbs, then brought it to his mouth and licked his finger clean. His eyes never left mine and I felt my breath catch.
