Page 24 of It Just Feels Right

She rolls her eyes. “Of course you remember that part. Yes, the model. Anyway, she’s in town for one night, and I haven’t seen her in months. I may have to leave a little early and meet her in town or something.”

“Invite her here.”

Her eyebrows lift, and she points at the ceiling. “You want me to invite her here?”

I grab her hands and pull her farther into the house. “It will be perfect. I ordered way too much food, or heck if you want something else, I can order that. You can talk and not have to worry about the noise or anything. I’ll go to my office and catch up on paperwork.”

She tilts her head to the side. “Baker, I’m not going to invite my friend here and intrude on your space.”

I wrap my arms around her and lock my hands together on her lower back. “You won’t be intruding. I’ve been looking forward to this all week, and even if you’re just in the other room, that's enough for me. I just want you here with me.”

She wants to say yes. “Are you sure about this?”

“I’m positive. Call her. I’ll set up the food at the table.”

She pulls her phone out of her pocket. “Okay, if you’re sure.”

I lean down and kiss her. “I’m sure.”

I walk into the kitchen, leaving her to make her call.

I’m setting the table when Cassie comes in. “She was a few minutes away.”

I go to take the food out of the oven. “Perfect. I got a little bit of everything, so you can pick and choose.”

“Thank you, Baker. Really, this is so incredibly nice of you. I really appreciate it. And I think you’ll like Haven. Everyone does.”

I carry some of the plates to the table, and she is following behind me with her hands full. “I’m sure I’ll like her because she means something to you. Don’t worry, okay?”

When the doorbell rings, I tell her, “Go ahead. You can get it. I’ll finish here.”

Cassie seems nervous all of a sudden, and so I figure she needs some time with her friend. I can hear them talking and once everything but the dessert is set out, I turn to face the living room.

Cassie is blushing when she gestures to me. “Haven, this is Baker. He’s uh, my stepbrother. Baker, this is Haven. My very best friend in the whole world.”

I try to hide my disappointment that she introduced me as her stepbrother. I’m not sure what I was hoping for, but I can’t be upset. She said she wanted to keep our relationship between us.

Haven smiles and waves at me. “So your dad tamed the beast. I need to meet him sometime.”

I look at Cassie, not sure if I should laugh or not, but she’s smiling and shaking her head. “Yeah, Haven has met Brandi.”

I nod. “Well, I’m sure my dad would love to meet you. He’s really loving this being a girl dad. He’d be thrilled to meet Cassie’s friends.”

I gesture to the feast on the table. “I put out food, and you all should eat while it’s warm. I’ll be in my office if you need anything.”

“Wait. You’re not joining us? You have to eat,” Cassie says. Of course she’s worried about me.

I wave her off. “No, I want to give you two some time to catch up.”

Cassie moves to block my path. “Absolutely not. Eat with us, then Haven and I can catch up.”

I look between Haven and Cassie, and they’re both nodding their heads. “Okay, sure. Let’s eat.”

I go grab another place setting and then wait for the women to sit. “Would you like water, soda, or wine?”

“Water,” they say in unison.

I grab three bottles of water and carry them to the table.

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