The baby’s cries grew louder, so I didn’t argue. When I turned to head back to the office, I saw Mr. Gorgeous standing in the doorway to the front of the bakery.
He smiled when our eyes met, and good grief, it was like I forgot how to breathe.
What the hell is my problem?
****
Alan
I kept my eyes trained on Jessica and her baby as they disappeared into Lainey’s office, then once more found Lainey frowning at me.
I lifted my hands in a questioning manner as I again asked, “What?”
“I don’t think giving you taxi duty is such a good idea, after all.”
“No takebacks.”
“She’s a single mom, Alan.”
“So, you keep reminding me. But you seem to forget, you were a single mom, too, when Adam entered the picture. Did he take advantage of you?”
A small grin crept across her mouth. “No, it was the other way around.”
I threw my hands over my ears, “La la la, I don’t need to know the details.” When I was sure she’d stopped talking, I pulled my hands down and continued, “The point is, Adam and I were raised right. I’m not going to do anything that makes her uncomfortable.” I held up my three middle fingers and continued, “Scout’s honor.”
ThatI was willing to promise.
She eyed me for a minute before replying, “I trust you.”
“Good.”
“Now get out of my kitchen or you’re being put on dish duty.”
****
Jessica
I heard my phone alert indicating a text from Mama.
Mama: Did you find a ride home?
Lainey had said, “We’d figure it out,” but the only other employee today was her and I’d already cost her enough timeand money. I wasn’t going to add taking me home on top of it. There really should be a rideshare service for people who lived in small towns.
We lived just rural enough that walking wasn’t feasible. Especially since I didn’t have a stroller. Lugging Ruthie’s car seat the two and a half miles out of town would be miserable. Not totally undoable, but still, awful.
Me: No, not yet.
Mama: You should probably reach out to Kevin now. It’d be rude to wait until the very last minute and still expect a ride.
Me: Can’t you come get me?
The dots indicating she was texting started and stopped, started and stopped, then started again, until finally...
Mama: We talked about this, Jess. If you want this job, I’m not going to be your transportation home. It’s bad enough I agreed to take you in the mornings. Kevin was generous and offered to pick you up.
Be sure to thank him.
My stomach felt like it was suddenly filled with lead at the idea of him picking me up. Still, I answered,
