Page 10 of Baking with Bryan

“She won’t be okay with letting this go with one make-out session. You realize that, right?” E gets down twoo plates and sets them on the table.

I meet his gaze. “No, Nor wants whatever version of me she’s dreamed up. None of us knows what I look like in a monogamous, committed relationship. I avoided it because I knew I wasn’t ready to stop being selfish. Now that I am.” I shake my head. “I have no clue where to start.”

“How about starting with honesty? To you and her.”

“And I suppose you have the answer on how to do that? Because moving from friends to something more is a straightforward process, right? Remember, I was in your corner coaching you when you were ready to seal your lips shut and keep December in the dark about your feelings?”

“That’s why I refuse to stand aside and let you make the mistake I almost did. We love hard and cherish the people who mean the most to us. It’s a family trait. Once we give our heart, there’s nothing we wouldn’t do for our Corazon. The problem comes when our brains tell our hearts what to do.”

“You’re different, E. Anyone would be happy to call you son-in-law. You’re everything I’ve never been. I’m approaching twenty-nine, and I still have so much to prove. I didn’t realize what I was squandering in my youth—”

He makes a noise in his throat. “Why? Because you think there’s a time frame we all have to follow? Our siblings settled down fast. They found their footing in the family nursery and dug their heels in, carving out spaces for themselves. We took different routes. Neither is right nor wrong.”

I grind my teeth together. As the youngest, E understands my position to a point.

“You think no one sees how you’ve stepped up since Uncle Raul passed, but you’re wrong. You are the glue that keeps them together and helps Aunt Priscilla keep from drowning in sorrow. Your light-hearted spirit, jokes, and the care you alone were able to give her because you had no wife and family to tend to made a tremendous difference.”

“I was going what any son would do—”

“Don’t shortchange yourself. You did what you alone were best positioned to do.” E taps my shoulder with his fist.

“This is your time to seek your own happiness and fulfillment.”

I chew on his words. “Perhaps.”

“The quicker you recant your statements. The easier it’ll be to repair the damage you did. Nor is probably just as scared as you are. You aren’t the only one who felt vulnerable when that kiss revealed how deep the feelings run on both sides. Hell, she might’ve felt rejected.”

“I’d be a fool to do that—”

“And yet. Here you are, trying to shut Nor outfor her own good.”E makes air quotes.

“Do me a favor? Imagine Nora.”

Inhaling, I conjure the vision of the blonde with the bob haircut, elfin features, and clear blue eyes. “Okay.”

“Now imagine her walking away from you with another man. Meeting him at the end of the altar and having a kid.”

Chest tightening, I sneer at the faceless man who stole away the woman I love. I straighten at the thought. There’s no stopping a train that’s already left the station.

“Shit.” It’s been the two of us for as long as I can remember. I took for granted that she’d stay single and nothing would change. Did I push her toward someone else by refusing to change things between us?

E nods. “You’re already in over your head. You’re just now realizing it.”

“What do I do?” I whisper.

“Get yourself together and hold on to her tight if you lose her.” E whistles.

Have I already screwed this up? I nod and swallow around the lump in my throat.

“I’ll figure it out.”

We hear the girls’ voices coming closer.

“Don’t forget the clock is running down,” E whispers.

“Yeah, I heard you.” I wave him off.

The girls appear, and Nor smiles at me shyly. I’ve never been on the receiving end of her coy expression. It melts me like butter on a hot griddle.

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