Page 88 of Bake You Mine
Daphne groaned. “Alright, fine. Promise he’ll come over to dinner soon?”
“We’ll see, okay?”
Aubrey and Chris were testing a new schedule every other weekend, from Saturday to Monday. Aubrey was still hesitant. Chris had made a real effort to pull his head out of his ass since Kayla moved out. Aubrey couldn’t punish him forever. But it would take her more than a week or two to relax and fully co-parent with him.
He’d repainted Daphne’s room the color of her choosing—a pale green, replacing the once Pepto pink walls—and they’d picked out a more grown-up bedroom set for her.
“I’m not gonna forget,” Daphne said. “So make sure it happens!”
“Dinner’s ready,” Aubrey’s father called up the stairs.
She blew past Aubrey, her messy braid flopping against her back as she took the stairs two by two.
After getting ready, Aubrey checked in on Daphne, who was already wolfing down soup and watching her newest anime obsession on her tablet.
On her way out, Aubrey stopped at the fridge to bring the chocolate tarts Mrs. Linley requested. She tucked the tarts into a pink Petit Chou bag and walked to the foyer, her father following.
“So, when is he coming to dinner at our place?”
“Dad, listen, this is new between me and Liam. We wouldn’t be doing this if his mother didn’t have the force of a tornado behind her. We’ll do dinner soon, but I’ve got to pick him up now, or we’ll be late.”
Liam ran out as Aubrey pulled to the curb. He tugged his hood up against the rain. It was a losing battle as the wind tore it from his face. He ran in front of Aubrey’s van, and she pressed the button to open the passenger’s side door. He swooped into the van, bringing the rain and wind with him. There was something about having him in her mom van, his large frame shoved into a seat that usually held her purse or whatever treats she was taking home from the day, that did her in.
“Holy hell, is Mother Nature pissed off or what? It was sunny until an hour ago!” He turned to her, as if he’d walked straight out of a magazine with his wild hair dripping down his face. He grinned. “Good thing the wet look is in, huh?”
“You’d probably emerge from the middle of a hurricane like you were ready for a perfume ad, hot chef.”
He put a finger to her lips. “Hey, can you not call me that?”
She took his hand in hers, not caring that it was wet. “Of course, especially if it bothers you.”
“It’s not that it bothers me. It’s just something I never wanted. I wish it would die, but it’s a marketing tool. Especially after Chip referred to me by that name this morning at the TV station.”
“Ugh, that’s right, I’m sorry. You’re so much more than the stupid hashtag.”
“Thank you for saying that.”
She squeezed his hand. “Of course. Are you okay?”
He leaned in further for a kiss, brushing his lips against hers before pulling on his seatbelt. “I’m fine, if sleepy.This whole dinner thing isn’t my idea. Don’t tell Ma I had an espresso before I left, okay?”
“Scout’s honor.” She put the van in drive. They had ten minutes to make it to Mrs. Linley’s. She turned onto Sweet Briar, and, thanks to the weather, the street was nearly empty.
“Thanks for coming tonight, Aubs. I know it’s a big step, and I appreciate it.”
“Of course. It’s not like your family are strangers. Hell, I probably know them better than you at this point.”
He let out a laugh before falling silent for a few moments. “Look, I know this may be coming out of left field, but let me say it, okay?”
“Okay?” She cut him a glance.
“I’m willing to do whatever it takes to be with you, Aubs. You can steer the ship here. I won’t pressure you.”
Aubrey’s heart swooped down and around again, and she tried her best to keep her expression impassive. “So, what, are we dating now?” It was odd to say those words out loud, and it felt like the completion of her years-long crush turning into something tangible.
He leaned back, his leather jacket squelching against the seat. “There’s no one else, Aubs.”
At a stoplight, she chanced another glance at him. His face was bathed in the red glow from the light. Somehow, it made him even more handsome.
