Page 2 of Baking with Bryan

No, I won’t read too much into this.Tonight I’m helping Bryan solve his problem, not looking for emotional crumbs.

“Have you talked to them about it?” Bryan’s always been a free spirit. Seeing him tied into knots and boiling over with pent-up frustration is unnatural.

“It all goes in one ear and out the other. Peter, Mark, and Joe act like gatekeepers to the family legacy.” His shoulders slump. “Being the odd man out is exhausting. There’s always been distance because of the five-year age gap. It’s gotten worse without Dad to help bridge the difference.”

“Did you show them how serious you were about taking a more active role in the daily duties?”

“I’ve tried. It’s a strange dance. I tried not to rock the boat too hard when emotions were high.” I sympathize with his position. Grief is a tricky thing to maneuver.

“It’s a tough spot to be in.” I purse my lips as my brain pieces together thoughts.

“I know that face.” Bryan grins. “You have a plan.” The change in his face nearly steals my breath away. He’s striking. Joy warms his eyes, chasing away the gut-wrenching sadness I’d viewed before.

“I have a series of jumbled what-ifs.” I step back and hold out my pointer finger.

“Don’t downplay your genius.” Lowering my finger, he wraps an arm around my shoulders and pulls me to him. “You always come up with the right things to say and do.” He kisses my cheek, kicking my heart beat up a few notches.

I’m an expert wordsmith, except when it comes to my feelings about you.I long to shift my face and make our lips meet. The muscles in my belly tighten, because I want to know if they’re as incredibly soft as I’ve imagined. Heat creeps up the back of my neck.

“I appreciate your faith in me,” I answer honestly as his lips curve up in the corners.

“Always.” The instantaneous response lifts my sinking spirits.

“What brought this on?”

“Approaching thirty. Losing my father and realizing how important the small things are.” He pauses. “Watching our best friends find happiness together. I always knew my cousin wanted more with December. But seeing them find their way in real-time drove home what I’m missing.”

“Oh.” I blink at him, shocked by his sudden desire to turn new leaves.

“Yeah.” He laughs and peers out the window. “I know. It’s surprising coming from me.”

“Don’t do that—lean into what you think people believe about you.” I place a hand on his face and move his face back to me. “It’s okay to want more and shed the skins that no longer fit us.” The words remind me of my agreement with my best friend, December. She revealed the truth to her best friend and found love. It’s time I work my way up to doing the same.

He ducks his head and clears his throat. “It’s hard to peel off the mask and show the truth—”

“You never have to pretend with me. You know that.” I grab his hand and squeeze. “I’ll help you.”

“I don’t know what I’d do without you, Nor. You’re my best friend.”

Best friend. The words are a cold knife thrust into my gut and twisted. Shrinking back into myself, I force a smile. Does he even realize I’m a girl?

“First things first. Let’s clean up the disaster zone and start with something small, like plain old sugar cookies.”

Ducking his head sheepishly, he rubs the back of his neck. “I had lofty aspirations, huh?”

“Pie in the sky is good in theory. But you must crawl before you walk, grasshopper.” I boop his nose, and he swats my hand away.

“Brat.”

I grin. “You love it.” We fall back into our usual routine. I pretend it doesn’t make my heart twinge.

“Luckily. Otherwise, I wouldn’t put up with your shenanigans.”

“Be nice, or I’ll let you go up in flames.” I stare at the mess on his stovetop pointedly.

“Oof.” He places a hand over his heart. “Low blow.” His sadness dissipates, and my spirit lifts.

I bump his hip with mine. “You clean up while I hang up my jacket and get more comfortable.”

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