Page 73 of There's No Us Without You
“Oh... I’m just baking brownies. Would you like one?”
“I’m not usually one to turn down a home-made brownie from a beautiful woman.” That grin appears again, and I almost trip over my own feet a second time when I step back to allow Tyler inside.
I dart back into the kitchen, hoping he didn’t notice my impending meltdown.
He’s nothing like Will. At least from what I can tell. For starters, he’s actually nice to me, and doesn’t stare at me like he’s having an internal debate on whether or not he wants to kill me.
“Will’s at work, but you’re more than welcome to hang around and wait,” I say, holding out the rack of warm brownies. “I’m sure he’d be happy to see you.”
Tyler takes a brownie. “I doubt that.” He sniffs and takes a seat at the island. “He’s been avoiding me.”
“Oh, right.” Tapping my left foot, I set the rack down with a small sigh.
What the hell else am I supposed to say?
Tyler shrugs and gives me a tight smile. “It’s all good,” he says as he shoves the chocolate treat into his mouth. Seconds later, his face transforms, his eyes rolling into the back of his head on a moan.
“Goddamn.” A long moment of chewing passes before he opens his eyes again. “Give me another of those. If I’d known my brother’s girlfriend could bake like this, I’d have shown up on his doorstep months ago.”
A rush of heat races up my chest and into my face, so I attempt to mask it by holding out the rack again. “I’m not,” I say, shaking my head and clearing my throat, “...Will’s girlfriend.”
Tyler tilts his head and shoves another brownie into his mouth. “Emerson’s?” he says around the mouthful.
“Nope.”
“Right.” Tyler scratches his cheek and frowns. “So you’re... what then?”
Taking a brownie for myself, I lift a shoulder. “I’m just living with them until I find a place of my own. My ex cheated on me on our wedding day, and I had nowhere else to go. Will offered me a room, and I was desperate.”
For a moment Tyler just stares at me, slowly chewing the remainder of the brownie. Then he blows out a breath. “Shit. That’s heavy. But you’re in good hands with Emerson. He’s one of the best dudes I’ve ever met.”
“Yeah, he is.” I bite onto my bottom lip as I let a soft smile creep onto my face, my focus going inwards for a moment.
He really is.
But what about Will? He’s good too, right?
Tyler clears his throat, and I shove the rest of my brownie into my mouth, positive that I’m showing everything I’m thinking on my face.
“So, how did you learn to bake like that?” Tyler says, grabbing another slice.
I think this means he likes my baking. But I need to hide these soon, or there’ll be none left for Emerson.
“Mainly my dad and nanna. But I’ve always loved cooking and baking... as you can tell.” I brush my hands down my sides, gesturing to the curves of my body and all its little imperfections.
“Nothing wrong with a bit of meat on your bones.” Tyler drags his eyes down my front. “And from where I’m seated, there ain’t nothing wrong with you.”
I really like my new friend.
“You should have seen his fa—”
The front door slams shut, interrupting my conversation with Tyler and making us both jump. Tyler fidgets in his position on the couch as he glances at the older, broodier version of himself.
I was just telling him about how Will came to my rescue the other day and intimidated the shit out of Kent. The look on his face was priceless.
Although, right now, I don’t like the look on Will’s face.
I glance at my phone. It’s been over an hour since Tyler arrived, which means Emerson won’t be far off either.
