Page 43 of Always the Baker

“Maybe that’s for the best.” I hated how detached my voice sounded.

“Right.” I could hear the heartbreak in her voice. “I’ll just grab my things.”

I kept my back to her. My forehead was pressed against the cool glass of the window. Part of me wanted to turn around, to tell her to stay, to work this out. But the other part, the part that felt betrayed and foolish, kept me rooted to the spot.

I stood there for a moment, frozen, before the reality of the situation hit me. Billie was leaving. Really leaving. My feet finally unstuck from the floor, and I moved toward the bedroom, drawn by a mix of morbid curiosity and lingering hurt.

The sight of Billie packing her things was like a sucker punch. She moved around the room, gathering up the few belongings she’d brought with her as tears streamed silently down her face. Each item she tucked into her bag felt like another nail in the coffin of our unofficial relationship.

“You don’t have to go right this second.” My voice was gruff—as if my mind hated the plea my heart gave. “It’s late. You could stay the night and leave in the morning.”

Billie paused with a T-shirt clutched in her hands.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” she said softly, not meeting my eyes. “I’ve already overstayed my welcome.”

I leaned against the doorframe, watching her. Part of me wanted to tell her she was wrong, that I wanted her to stay. But the words wouldn’t come. Instead, I stood there silently. My emotions were a tangled fucking mess.

“I really am sorry, pooh,” Billie said, zipping up her bag. “I know it doesn’t change anything, but I never meant for this to happen.”

I nodded but couldn’t speak. As she shouldered her bag and walked past me, I caught a whiff of her perfume… The scent I’d grown to associate with mornings in bed and late-nights tangled up in her. It made my chest ache.

“Take care of yourself, sweetheart.”

Billie turned with watery eyes. “You too, pooh. I hope you find what you’re looking for.”

And then she was gone. The door closed behind her with a soft click that seemed to echo in the sudden silence of my penthouse. I stood there, staring at the door, feeling like I’d just let something so very precious slip through my fingers.

13

Billie

The Next Morning

I draggedmyself into the office. My tote bag felt like it weighed a ton. The familiar flicker of fluorescent lights and clacking keyboards filled the air, but it all felt hollow.

Empty.

“Morning, Billie!” Mom wasdisgustinglyexcited for me to be back. “You finally remembered where you live and work?”

I plastered on a smile. “Oh, yeah. Sorry, Mom. I just needed a break, or I would have lost my mind.”

My mother’s only response was to hum and give me a silent look that said, ‘I feel like you already have’. I shuffled to my desk, dumping my bag and slumping into my chair. My computer screen blinked to life, filled with pending projects and urgent emails. I stared at it blankly. It was too much… too overwhelming.

“Baby girl.” My father rolled his chair over. “You alright, honey?”

I shrugged. “Just tired, I guess.”

Dad raised an eyebrow. “Uh-huh. Well, nothing a little caffeine can’t fix. Want me to grab you a coffee?”

“No thanks,” I mumbled, turning back to my screen. I couldn’t imagine how I looked or sounded, but my heart was truly hurting, and I didn’t know how to fix it.

As I halfheartedly clicked through emails, my mind wandered. Brax’s face kept popping into my head. His crooked smile, those beautiful brown eyes. I shook my head, trying to focus.

Mom came in with a smile on her face that looked brittle. Who knew how long it would take for things to feel and be normal, though she was trying to act like they already were. I expected a million questions about where I’d been, but they hadn’t come yet. It looked like it was eating her alive not to question me… but I was grateful for the restraint. “How’s my baby girl? Don’t forget, we’re having dinner tonight.”

I groaned internally. The last thing I wanted was to plaster on a happy face for my parents all night, but I knew I couldn’t bail. They’d only worry more. I felt like I was right back in the mental state I was in after the breakup with Ian. This version of me felt foreign after spending time with Brax. I knew, to him, it all felt fake… but that… that was real.

“You got plans tonight?” Daddy asked, still hovering nearby.

---