Page 14 of It Just Feels Right

“Honey, you can stay here as long as you want. Take your time. If you move out now, you’d have to pay rent, and that would just be a waste of money. Wait, save up some money, and then you can buy the house you want.”

My mouth drops. “You mean that, don’t you?”

“Of course I do. Now we’d better get out there. Come on, I’ll help run interference.”

He grabs the bowl of green beans and plate of rolls, and I follow him to the dining room. My mom laughs when we walk in. “I thought you all got lost or something.”

Ryan goes to set the food on the table. “Just making sure we got everything. Everything looks great, Brandi.”

She takes the mashed potatoes from me. “Quit standing there like a lump on a log, sit down.” I take the seat across from Roger and wait for my mom to tell me to move or something.

Plates get passed around the table, and I keep reminding myself that it’s one meal. After we eat, I’ll have a talk with my mom about the whole blind date thing.

We eat and talk, and I want to hug Ryan as he keeps Roger talking so I don’t feel any pressure.

Roger is in the middle of talking about some new golf clubs he got when the doorbell rings. Ryan turns to me. “I bet that’s Baker. I tell him to use his key, but he won’t anymore. Do you mind getting it?”

I’m out of my seat in an instant. I don’t know why, but I’m a nervous wreck the whole way to the front door. I take a deep breath and open it.

He looks tired, but his face lights up when he sees me. “Hey, baby.”

I gasp and look behind me. “Baker, you can’t call me that.”

I move back so he can come in. “They’re in the dining room. Go sit down and I’ll grab you a plate.”

I move toward the kitchen and am surprised that Baker followed me instead of going to the dining room. I’m not going to argue with him, it will be pointless. “Your dad said there was an emergency. Are you okay?”

He leans against the counter and brushes my hair off my shoulder. “Were you worried about me?”

I shrug. “I’m glad you were able to come to dinner.” It’s then I remember. “Oh yeah, I should probably tell you something.”

“What’s that?”

I grab a plate and busy myself getting a cloth napkin and some silverware. When I have it all, I walk toward the door. “Uh, my mom fixed me up on a blind date. He’s… uh, here now.”

He’s not happy. His jaw tightens, and his lips flatten. “Did you want to be fixed up on a blind date?”

I scrunch my nose up. “Uh, no. Of course not.”

He nods and comes to stand next to me. “That’s right. Because you’re mine.” He leans down andkisses me briefly on the lips. “Come on. Let’s go meet this date.”

Shocked by that kiss, I just follow behind him. “Look who showed up.”

I catch my mom’s eye, and she’s obviously not happy. Baker isn’t fazed, though. He waits until I sit down and then sits down next to me. I start passing him bowls so he can plate his food. The table is quiet, and I realize that Baker is giving Roger a dirty look. “Uh, Baker, this is Roger. Roger, this is Baker.”

Brandi interjects, “Yes, Baker is Cassie’s brother.”

I can’t help it. My nose scrunches up, and I insist, “STEPbrother.”

Baker reaches under the table and squeezes my knee. I jerk in shock, and he nods at me approvingly before smirking at Roger. “So, Roger, do you live in Whiskey Run?”

He nods. “I do. I’m a gynecologist over at the new medical offices at the edge of town.”

My mom starts to laugh. “He’s Cassie’s gynecologist.”

I don’t even have to look at Baker, I know he’s not happy with this news. I look at my stepdad, pleadingwith my eyes to help out, but he’s just smiling ear to ear, looking between Roger and his son.

“Soooo…” I start, hoping to change the subject.

---