“Alan volunteered to drive you home, but if you’re not comfortable with that, I can take you. Kristy, my BFF and night baker, should be here any minute and can handle things until I get back.”
My heart raced at the idea of being next to Alan in the passenger seat, even if it was for only a few miles.
I should’ve waited to text Mr. Roberts—there was no way I was calling him Kevin, I didn’t care what he said.
“I actually arranged for a ride.”
Lainey cocked her head. “You did? I told you we’d figure something out.”
I glanced down at the floor and mumbled, “I know, but I felt so bad about the cinnamon rolls and your friend’s shirt… I didn’t want to bother you more.”
“Oh, honey. Taking you home is no bother—honest. You didn’t need to inconvenience your mom again.”
“Actually, it’s an elder from church who’s coming to get me. He’s a friend of my parents and was over for dinner last night when I talked to my parents about the job. He volunteered to give me a ride home, so I took him up on it.”
I’d barely gotten the words out when a deep voice said, “Text him and let him know it’s not necessary.”
I glanced over to see Alan standing in the doorway. The t-shirt was a little tight on him, but he could definitely pull off pink.
“Are you sure you don’t mind?”
“Positive,” he replied as he came into the office and held out his hands to take Ruthie from me.
I carefully handed her to him, then fished my phone out of my apron pocket. Unlocking the screen, I bit back a groan when I opened my texting app.
“He’s already here.”
****
Alan
Son of a bitch.
I’d really been looking forward to talking more with Jessica on the drive to her house.
“Well, make sure you tell him that you’ve got a ride for the rest of the week. Actually, you know what? Here’s my number in case your mom can’t bring you in the morning. It’ll be no problem to pick you up—I’m sure I’ll be awake with nothing to do.”
Before she could argue, I fired off my digits, then repeated them to make sure she got my number right.
I didn’t glance Lainey’s way, but I could feel her staring at me.
And I didn’t give two shits. She could be mad all she wanted; I wasn’t doing anything wrong.
I finally looked over at Lainey when she said, “I’ll help you to the car,” and picked up the baby’s diaper bag.
Little Ruthie made soft cooing sounds, and it felt like my heart grew three times in size when I looked down at her sweet face.
Reluctantly, I gave her back to Jess, who immediately put her in the car seat sitting by the couch. She made it look so effortless as she carried the car seat out the office door like she was carrying a purse.
A wave of possessiveness fell over me, and I decided to follow them out. I wanted to see exactly who they were getting in the car with.
I grabbed the handle on Ruthie’s car seat from her with a sheepish smile. “Let me help you.”
Not that I didn’t think Jess was capable, but more like I wanted to have a reason for going outside with them.
She released her grip, telling me, “Thanks.”
We stepped onto the sidewalk, and Jessica scanned the parked cars until a honk came from a gold Buick LaCrosse that I estimated to be about ten years old.
