Page 53 of Talk Wicked to Me

“I told you I’d watch him,” Baz said. “You deserve a girls’ night out, and Mads has been bugging me to get you to go.” He looked at Evie. “She’ll be there.”

“Baz,” Emerson implored.

“Don’t Baz me, Lockhart,” Baz said emphatically. “How did you feel the first time you left Ollie alone when he was a puppy?”

“Horrible, and guilty. I worried the whole time.”

“And the next time you left him?”

“A little less anxious,” she admitted, realizing where he was going with his questions. Sneaky.

“Then you know the first time is the hardest, and I’ll be there to make sure Brennan is well cared for.” Brennan started fussing. “See? Even Brennan thinks you should go.” Baz took him out of his carrier. “You don’t have to stay long, but it would be good for you to get out and have some fun. Besides, Brennan and I have guy stuff to do, and if you’re home, you’ll just get in the way.” He put the baby on his shoulder, patting his back, his tone softening. “Right, Little B?”

“Little B.” Tori made an exploding sound again.

“I hope you’ll come,” Evie urged. “And no pressure about making cookies. I would really like to get to know you better.”

“Maybe I will,” Emerson relented. “And I don’t mind bringing cookies. Baking is relaxing for me. I wish I could do it all the time.”

“Speaking of cookies,” Tori said. “I was going through the donations for the rescue’s adoption event, and Gunner has you down as a maybe for donating cookies and dog biscuits. Have you decided whether you want to make them yet?”

“He does? Sid didn’t say anything to me about an adoption event. When is it?”

“It’s three weeks from Saturday, and it’s held here on the property,” Baz said. “Sid didn’t mention it to you because I was supposed to. I was going to ask you about it at lunch today. Gunner mentioned it right after you got home from the hospital, but I didn’t want to add more to your plate, since the event was several weeks away. The proceeds benefit the rescue, and I’ll pay for the ingredients and help you bake if you want to do it, but there’s absolutely no pressure.”

That was just like him to try to protect her from getting overwhelmed, and the thought of baking with Baz brought flashes of naughty images of them in her kitchen. She couldn’t afford to get lost in those thoughts when everyone was looking at her expectantly. “Gunner and Sid have done so much for me, I’d be happy to bake for the event. But you don’t have to pay for anything.”

“We’ll talk about that,” Baz said.

“Great,” Tori said. “Should I put you down for cookies and doggy biscuits?”

“Yes, thank you.”

“You’ll love the event. It’s really fun,” Evie said. “They make bows and bow ties for the dogs and cats, and Chloe makes fun posters that are like social media profiles for the animals, and she and Baz have a contest to see who can get the most adoption applications.”

Emerson looked at Baz. “Maybe the cookies and dog biscuits can help you win.”

“Like he needs help?” Evie scoffed. “One flash of those dimples and women would sign up to adopt a one-legged elephant if he asked them to.”

They all laughed.

Brennan fussed again, and Emerson reached for him. “I should probably feed him before we go.”

“Let’s go upstairs to my place,” Baz suggested as a strikingly handsome dark-haired guy came out of a hallway. His gaze landed on Evie, earning a flirty smile that made Emerson curious about the two of them.

“Evie, would you mind finishing up with Mr. Blanchard?” the guy asked.

“Not at all. Emerson, I hope to see you next week at the book club meeting.” Evie put a hand on Brennan’s back. “See you later, little dude.” She stole another glance at the good-looking guy as she walked past him.

“Quinton,” Baz said. “This is Emerson and her son, Brennan.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet the infamous supermom,” Quinton said kindly. “Congratulations on your little one.”

“Thank you.” She looked between him and Baz, then glanced at Tori, who was busy on the phone. “Is it a prerequisite to be good-looking to work here?” The words were out before she could stop them.

“They didn’t ask for a picture with the application.” Quinton sounded amused. “Is that why you hired me, Baz?”

Baz’s brows slanted, but before he could respond, Brennan started crying. “I think you’d better feed him.” He put a hand on Emerson’s back, leading her toward the hall.