I tense, and she notices. She pulls back to look at me, and I can’t lie to her. “Okay, so my turn. Don’t be mad.”
She bites her lip. “What did you do?”
I figure the best way to do this is to get it all out in the open. “I asked my dad to pack you a bag.” I point at her bag across the room. “And he rode with me to get your car.”
She gasps and shakes her head. “But… what… oh my, Baker what did you do?”
“I am not sorry, Cass. Right now, he thinks I’m taking care of you… that’s all.”
“My mom will make my life a living hell.”
I wince. “I think my dad knows that because he’s the most honest man I know and he didn’t tell Brandi where he was going.”
She shakes her head. “What are we doing, Baker?”
I stack up all her papers and lift her up from the couch. Grabbing on to her thighs, I pick her up, and her legs go around my waist. “I’m too big for you to carry.”
I walk with her in my arms down the hallway, “I’ve told you once and I’ll tell you again. You’re perfect.”
I lay her back on the bed and then strip down. She watches me closely as I slide into the bed, pulling the covers up over us. She curls into me, and her hand starts to slide down my chest. I grab it and hold it over my heart. “Not tonight. I want to, don’t get me wrong, but you need to rest.”
“Baker…”
I cut her off. “I told you I want to take care of you. Let me.”
She leans against me, and I hold her in my arms until she falls asleep. I lie awake, wondering how I can have her by my side just like this for the rest of my life.
CHAPTER 17
CASSIE
I wokeup this morning in Baker’s bed.
I didn’t want to go to school, but I knew I should be there for Colby if he was there, so I got myself ready, smiled at the graded papers that were put back in my tote, and then kissed a sleeping Baker goodbye.
The day was uneventful if you don’t count my sister and Chloe both texting me insisting on girls’ night tonight. I don’t really feel up to it, and I’d rather go spend time with Baker, but I also know that I might need to talk to my sister and my friend about everything that’s going on.
So here I am at the Whiskey Whistler again, hoping not to get another repeat of the last time I was here.
With Chloe watching Elias in the corner, I turn to my sister. “How did the interview go?”
She takes a drink of her Margarita. “Surprisingly good.”
I roll my hand at her, needing more information. “And? What happened? Did you get the job?”
She nods. “I got a job… but not the job I was applying for.”
“What do you mean?”
She takes another big sip of her drink. Brook is happy, and I’m happy for her. She wants to get her own place, and this job could help her do it even sooner.
She leans forward. “Get this. Are you ready? I don’t know if you’re ready.”
“What?” I ask her.
She leans in. “I’m going to be Walker’s assistant. His personal assistant.”
I rear back in shock. “Uh… what… how did that happen?”