Page 16 of Baking with Bryan

“Always thinking about others.” I step toward her and cup her face, unable to keep my hands to myself. “We’ll make sure that doesn’t happen.”

“Promise?”

“Have I ever let you down?”

“No.” Her voice is husky, and her eyes silently ask me for more.

Later.“And I won’t now.” I slap her ass and she yelps. “Stop tempting me with those needy glances and let’s get this done so we can go home.”

“Home?”

“Yours or mine. Doesn’t matter. Wherever you are is where I want to be.” I smirk. “Besides, you still owe me baking lessons.”

“And you always collect what’s owed to you?”

“That’s right. You’re going to learn that firsthand soon enough.”

Her lips part, and her breathing increases.

“But first work.” I cup the back of her neck and squeeze.

“Tease.”

“I’m going to enjoy making you eat those words.” I lean in and lick at the seam of her lips.

She whimpers.

“Later.” Giving her round ass a squeeze, I step up to the table. She wants to keep things under wraps until after the wedding. I respect that, but I won’t be backing down.

Chapter3

Nora

“Why were you at the bridal shop the other day?”

“What?” I squeeze the royal icing too hard and ruin the reindeer sugar cookie on the tray.

I peer up at my mother, feeling like I’m having an out-of-body experience in the middle of the bakery.

“Who told you that?” I ask bluntly, unable to hide my surprise.

“Betsy Randall.” She huffs. “Guess she was right.”

“Allison’s Mom,” I scowl, thinking of the woman who all but climbed Bryan like a tree when she stopped by.

“The who is beside the point. What were you doing there?” She stops scooping out cookies on the large silver tray to my left and stares me down. Suddenly I’m five again and being sent to the corner for unacceptable behavior.

“If she’d gotten the story right, she would’ve told you I was trying on formal gowns.” I roll my eyes. “Not wedding dresses.”

“Oh.” Did my mother look sad?

“What do you need a formal dress for?” Mom asks.

The best lie is always rooted in truth.“December and E are hosting a formal party to celebrate their engagement. You'll get an invitation tomorrow if it isn’t already in your mailbox.”

“Oh, that is so sweet,” my mother croons.

“Yes. I’ve been tasked with helping December, so I’ll be all over the place pulling late nights.” I cover my tracks seamlessly.

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