Page 24 of Always the Baker

I leaned in closer with a grin spreading across my face. Quite frankly, I’d take advantage of any moment to get closer to her. “Listen carefully. Recognize that beat?”

As if on cue, the girl started humming along, and I saw Billie’s eyes widen in recognition. It was “Me on You at Midnight” which was my latest single.

“Oh, that is so cool.” Her eyes darted between me and the oblivious fan. “Are you going to say something?”

I shook my head, chuckling softly. “Nah, let her enjoy it. Besides, it’s kind of fun being incognito sometimes.”

Billie took a sip of her drink, then made a face. “Ugh, this is not what I expected.”

“Not your usual, huh?” I teased, unable to resist.

She rolled her eyes, but I caught the hint of a smile before it turned into a laugh. “Okay, fine. You got me. I’ve never been here before.”

I laughed. “I figured. You’re not exactly a master of deception.”

“Hey, I’ll have you know I’m an excellent liar,” Billie protested. Her eyes twinkled. “I once convinced my entire high school that I was a descendent of one of the queens of Egypt.”

“Oh really?” I leaned back, crossing my arms. “And how’d you pull that off?”

She told me about the scheme she ran. By the end, we were both laughing so hard that the girl with the headphones finally looked up, startled by the noise.

As our laughter died down, I found myself staring at Billie. She was nothing like the polished, image-obsessed women I usually dated in the industry. There was something refreshing about her.

“I think you missed your calling as a storyteller,” I said, sliding her my latte to try since hers was a bit too strong.

We tasted each other’s drinks at the same time. I kept it simple with a pecan and white chocolate latte and hers was ginger and cinnamon. It definitely had a spice that was probably an acquired taste, but I actually liked it. She thanked me for the trade, but I was willing to do just about anything to make her smile and keep her happy.

“You know,” I said softly, “I’m really glad you’re terrible at pretending to be a coffee shop regular.”

Billie’s smile softened. “Yeah? Why’s that?”

I reached across the table, taking her hand in mine. “Because the real you is way more interesting... and funny. I haven’t laughed and smiled this much with a woman… ever.”

“You’ve inspired me in ways you’ll never know, Brax. It’s truly my pleasure to make you smile, even if it is at my expense.”

After finishing our lattes, we stepped out into the city streets. The afternoon sun was warm on my face as I led Billie toward our next destination. It wasn’t my plan for us to stay there talking for two hours, but I didn’t mind at all. It was nice being with someone that could actually keep a conversation going.

“So, where to now, Mr. Tour Guide?” Billie asked as her eyes sparkled with excitement.

“I thought we’d check out this art gallery I know,” I replied, guiding her around a corner. “It’s new, so you might not have heard of it, but they showcase amazing local talent.”

As we enteredDivine’s, I watched Billie’s face light up. Her eyes darted from piece to piece, drinking in the colors and textures. It was clear she had a genuine appreciation for art.

“This is incredible.” She spoke breathlessly, pausing in front of a vibrant, abstract painting.

I nodded, feeling a surge of pride in my city. “Yeah, it’s pretty dope. How’s your mural coming along?”

Billie froze for a split second, and I saw a flicker of panic cross her face before she recovered. “Oh, right! My mural. Yeah, it’s… it’s a work in progress.”

“Tell me about it. What’s the concept?”

I watched as Billie’s mind seemed to race. She pushed her braids off her shoulders and onto her back, a nervous habit I’d noticed earlier.

“Well, it’s this massive piece I’m doing for the community center. The theme is ‘Dreams Take Flight,’ and it’s all about how people of all different shades and from all walks of life can achieve big things.”

As Billie continued to describe her mural, I found myself caught up in her enthusiasm. She painted a vivid picture with her words, describing soaring birds taking flight over farm fields, famous landmarks in the city, and how the children were birds with paintbrushes for wings in the sky. She made sure to mention how no two people would be the same shade of brown and how important it was to promote inclusivity so everyone who looked would feel seen.

“Wow. That sounds amazing. I’d love to see it someday.”

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