Page 35 of Always the Baker

“I’ll lead you,” I said as I guided her movements in our dance. “Just trust me.”

She gave me a small nod and slid her hands down my chest. “I will.”

10

Brax

I openedthe door to my penthouse, gesturing for Billie to enter first. She hesitated for a split second, then stepped inside. Her eyes widened as she took in the view.

“Wow.” She moved toward the windows, which was my favorite part of the penthouse too. I could sit there and look at the view for hours. “It still takes my breath away, every time I see it.”

I couldn’t help but smile at her in awe. “Pretty cool, right? Make yourself at home. Do you want something to drink?”

Billie nodded, tearing her gaze away from the view. “Sure, thanks.”

I headed to the kitchen, grabbing two glasses from the cabinet. When I turned back, I saw Billie standing in front of my smart fridge, her hand hovering uncertainly over the touchscreen. It didn’t take but a few seconds for her to remember how to use it. My mind took me back to yesterday when she first tried…

“Uh, how do I...” She trailed off with an innocent smile.

“Here, let me show you,” I said, going to stand beside her. I reached out to tap the screen. “It’s pretty simple once you get the hang of it.”

Billie laughed nervously. “Right, simple. Just like rocket science, I bet.”

I chuckled. “Nah, way easier than that. Watch.”

I demonstrated how to navigate the menu, selecting sparkling water for both of us. The fridge dispensed the drinks with a soft hiss.

“There you go,” I said, handing her a glass. “Now you’re a certified smart fridge operator.”

Billie took a sip. Her eyes flashed with amusement. It made me want to continue to introduce her to new things—big and small. To invite her into a new world. “I’ll add it to my résumé.”

As we moved to the living room, I noticed Billie’s gaze darting around, taking in every detail. She perched on the edge of the couch, looking a bit out of place.

“So, what do you think of the place?”

Truth was, I saw what we had as something that could be long term. I wanted her to love it. I wanted her to love me.

“It’s amazing. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

I watched as she reached for the remote on the coffee table, then paused, biting her lip. “Um, how do I turn on the TV?”

“Voice command. Just say ‘TV on’ and it’ll work.”

Billie cleared her throat.

“TV on,” she said hesitantly. When nothing happened, she tried again, louder this time. “TV on!”

The massive screen flickered to life, and Billie jumped slightly, making us both laugh. “Oh! That’s convenient.”

It was refreshing to see someone so genuinely impressed by things I took for granted.

“Yeah, it’s pretty cool.” I agreed. “Takes some getting used to, though. I still sometimes forget and try to use the remote.”

Billie relaxed a bit at that, laughing softly. “Good to know I’m not the only one who can be technologically challenged.”

Feeling her hand on my arm brought me back to reality. I accepted the drink she offered and gave her a quick kiss on the temple before we headed to the living room.

As we sat there, talking about nothing of importance and sipping our drinks, I found myself more and more intrigued by her. We were interested in each other for different reasons, and the more I knew about her, the more I wanted to know.

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