Page 35 of Cowboys Can't Kiss

“Thank you. I know I do, but my best friend Gabe kindly pointed out to me that I like to find excuses to hide away and I’m trying to fix that.”

“I think that’s a brave thing to do.” Jackson gestures to the ingredients on my island. “Are we baking tonight?”

Grateful for the change of topic, I grin.

“Yes! So, I’m in a bit of a crunch to make one of my clients happy. He’s the sweetest man, and he wants a cake for his surprise wedding reception, but I can’t use anyone in town because of gossip.”

Jackson laughs, and the sound is just like that first day. Deep and uninhibited. So warm and friendly.

“Don’t I know it! The gossip vine is crazy here. When we first set up our hydroponics on my property, all the ladies at the hair salon said I was growing illegal marijuana and had a dog fighting ring.”

My hand flies up to cover my mouth. “Oh my god! I can see how marijuana might be assumed, but dog fighting? You’d never do that. Don’t they even know you?”

Jackson’s gaze finds mine again. “Apparently not.” He lifts his glass to his lips and swallows. “But you do.”

Good grief, I want to crawl in his lap and have him call me baby. I want him to be the one to press all my pieces back together. He can’t be this good…can he?

Clearing my throat, I tear myself away from his gaze.

“Well, can you bake?”

“I guess it depends on what we’re making.”

“Strawberry shortcake.” I tap at myiPadon the stand. “Specifically, this recipe. If we can make it well enough, I’ll do it myself for Carlos. No gossip, and I don’t have to worry about a delivery getting lost or a cake that’s subpar.”

“We? So I’m part of this event now?” He smiles as he pulls the iPad closer and knocks his knee into mine. “When is it?”

“Oh, I didn’t mean that you had to help me with the event or anything. I just—”

“I’m kidding Riley. I’d love to help you bake it and if I can help you pull it off, I will.”

Jackson pushes the iPad back in place.

“Do you have another apron? Let’s do this.”

ten

Jackson

I’ve never baked before.

But I have to admit it’s been fun. Riley isn’t too good at it either, but on our second attempt, we do a decent job of making a cake. I always thought shortcake was like shortbread. Turns out I was wrong and the cake part is quite spongy. Still tastes amazing, and it’s kind of cool that we made it.

My stomach growls when Riley pulls the second cake from the oven. I don’t want to be rude and ask if he has food, because I thought maybe he might cook for us and we’d stay in, but I didn’t eat and I’m starving.

“I heard that from over here, Jackson. I’m going to feed you.”

Laughing, I feel the heat on my neck as Riley looks my way. Lord, what I wouldn’t give for him to not mean food right now. Who knew baking with someone you wish was yours could be the most torturous form of unreciprocated foreplay.

“Sorry. I thought you were planning a gourmet feast by the way you sounded on the phone.”

He dusts his hands on his apron and opens the fridge.

“Sort of. I wanted to bake the cake before we ate. But I cheated and I have some dishes from Avocadabra for dinner. I do like tocook simple stuff sometimes, but since I know you love their food, I figured why make it hard?”

Riley pulls several takeout containers from the fridge and I step forward to help him. “Oh, that’s a lot. I can give you some money for my half.”

He pauses before turning to me. “Can this one just be me repaying you for helping me bake?”

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