Page 37 of The Likelihood Of You

He told me that I didn’t have to work, but would also use it to keep me in my place. He says he pays the bills because he wants to provide for us, but also reminds me that I’d be nothing without him and his drive. He tells me he wants me to shoot for the stars, but always finds a way to remind me that I need to build the rocket.

Going through all of this in my head makes me question why I even agreed to marry him last month. Why did I still have this ring on my finger? Why didn’t I just leave him and do things for myself?

Unfortunately, there was a piece of my heart that still had his name engraved into it. A slice of me that was longing for the boy I met, the one who told me he’d take care of me. I hadn’t seen that boy for a long time, and now I was beginning to wonder if Hugo had killed him off the second he gained my love, and trust.

I missed that boy… but I knew he was dead.

The car that Jacob called for us pulled up onto a side street, one I couldn't help but feel like I'd walked before. Jacob got out of his side first, then jogged round to my door and opened it for me. I tried not to think about how sad it was that an act like that shocked me so much.

“Thank you,” Iwhispered, sliding out and syncing our footsteps as we walked around the corner, and only then did it hit why I knew this street so well.

“Are you serious? We’re baking here?” I asked Jacob, my feet refusing to move another inch.

“Thought it might be wise to bake somewhere with an actual fire exit and the NYFD on speed dial.” He shot back, as he reached the door of The Rolling Pin, sliding a set of keys out his pocket, but not before that gorgeous, sneaky grin and eyes fell on me. "You coming or what, Flo?"

Until now, I’d done well not to let my crush on him get the best of me and make me forget that all New York meant was that I had my independence and had the space to grow and learn not to feel so guilty about it.

But watching him smile like he’s happy he could do this for me, and that he genuinely wants to help me? I felt the invisible string that was tied between us get tighter and tighter…and I liked the pressure.

I nodded my head at him, putting no effort into hiding the way I knew my smile was beaming, and skipped over to the door, following Jacob inside.

“How’d you manage this then?” I ask him, making headway behind the counter and exploring all the hidden compartments my eyes hopped over.

“Are you forgetting who the heir to this place is?”

I turned to him and bevelled my head. “You bloody nepotism babies. When will your reign of terror end?”

A stream of low laughs slipped past his lips. “Well, without the nepo baby, you wouldn’t have a state-of-the-art kitchen to practiseyour recipes, now would you?” He quipped, stretching out his arm and pointing to the door that had a ‘STAFF ONLY’ sign nailed to it.

Am I absolutely sure falling for this man is a bad thing?

“Thank you…for this. You have no idea how much this means to me.” I say, stopping him as he’s halfway through the door.

“I think I do, Flo.” His dimples deepened. “You’re welcome.”

We wasted no time walking into the kitchen, and I had to question whether all that bakery manifesting I did in the mornings had made my vision board come to life. The kitchen at Pin’s wasn’t your typical stainless steel nightmare that most places adopt; instead, it was a white and wood dream. So modern and classic, but with so much life and brightness from warm lights above us that all I felt being in there was motivated.

I wanted this. God, did I want something like this to call my own.

“So then…what’s on the menu tonight, Flo?” Jacob asked, springing up onto the worktop, his long legs dangling beneath him.

I had to take a breath, not wanting to get overwhelmed. “I was thinking sticky toffee pudding? Maybe? Or just a classic Victoria Sponge Cake. Or is that too easy?” I started to pace, whilst also opening anything and everything that had a handle, including the triple ovens that took my breath away. “Ooh, maybe I’ll give those Bakewell tarts another whirl!”

“Work on that frangipane?” Jacob asks, munching on a bowl of chocolate chips, which I had no idea where he got from.

‘No, tosser. Because it was perfect, you just…distracted me.” I made my way over to him and launched up to sit next to him, although that did nothing for the way my heartbeat was already racing. “I bet it’snicer than yours.” I laugh, stealing the bowl of chocolate chips from him as I do.

“Oh really?” He challenged, his mouth hanging open in a reluctant smile.

“Oh yeah.”

“You know I was raised by bakers, right? I mentioned that.”

“Yes, nepo baby, you mentioned it. It also means nothing ‘cause my frangipane would kick your frangipane’s arse any day of the week.” I retaliated.

Jacob let out a scoff and jumped down from the worktop, and before I could question what he was doing, he stalked back towards me, placing his hands on either side of me, leaning against the worktop, his thumbs dangerously close to brushing my thighs. “Alright, smartass.” He whispered, his voice so smooth, as he inched his head closer towards me. “Let’s see if you’re as good as you say you are. We’ll both make them.”

I suck in a shallow breath, too anxious to move because of how close he is. He’s so close that his breath skates across my skin when he breathes, sending tiny shivers right through me. “Both of us?” I asked weakly.

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