CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Emma
Two hours later,I’m satiated, showered, and standing on the sidewalk outside Sweet Bluebells.
Even though the bookstore Bella wants to take me to is just a few blocks from where she lives in Brooklyn, she insisted on meeting here. She told me in a text that she’s been craving a chocolate chip cookie from the bakery since she woke up, so I happily agreed to make my way here.
The text message I sent to her was my second of the day.
I sent a quick one to Case first to thank him for the feast of a breakfast he arranged.
I slide my finger over my phone’s screen and reread it.
Emma: Thank you for the surprise, Rush.
He hasn’t responded yet, but I know that he’s busy, even if it is Saturday morning. Drake has never followed a strict Monday to Friday schedule since he started working at Cabbott. I doubt that Case does either.
I swing open the door to the bakery to find it bustling with people.
I can’t say I’m surprised. In addition to the display case full of cupcakes, there are a few wicker baskets near the cash register filled with a selection of muffins and cookies.
I spot Delaney behind the counter.
With a quick turn of her head, she sees me. I’m greeted with a big smile and a wave of her hand.
I reply in kind.
“Emma!”
I turn to the left when I hear my name.
“I’m here,” Bella calls out from a table in the corner. “I got you a lemonade and a blueberry muffin.”
I start toward her, being careful to maneuver around the people waiting in line to pick out a weekend morning treat.
Once I skirt around a couple sharing a kiss in the middle of the store, I realize Bella isn’t alone. A young boy is sitting at the table next to her, his gaze glued to the screen of a tablet.
“Hey,” I say softly as I take a seat across from Bella. “You’re quick. You came all the way from Brooklyn and beat me here.”
She lets out a laugh. “Pregnancy cravings dictate my life. I was on the subway before we finished texting.”
“Thank you for ordering for me.” I glance at the blond-haired boy. “Who is this?”
“Mickey.” The little boy rubs his hand over his jean-covered knee before he offers it to me. “It’s nice to meet you, Ma’am.”
Bella lets out a little giggle, and I can’t help but smile. I take his hand in mine and give it a soft shake. “I’m Emma. It’s nice to meet you, Mickey.”
His blue eyes flick over my face. “Do you know my mom?”
I look at Bella. I assumed the baby she’s expecting was her first, but maybe I’m wrong. I perk a brow. “Are you…?”
“This handsome guy belongs to Delaney.” Bella points to the counter. “She doesn’t usually work weekends, but she was called in to help with the morning rush. Mickey was in the kitchen when I got here. His mom asked if I could keep an eye on him.”
I was looking forward to going to the bookstore, but I’m happy with a morning spent here. Mickey is a little younger than the kids I taught last semester. I’m a floater at The Garrington School, so wherever I’m needed, I jump in to help.
I’m in consideration for a permanent position teaching third grade, but Archibald will have the final say on that before school starts again in the fall.
“Are you playing a game?” I inch my head closer to Mickey’s.
