Page 9 of Baking with Bryan

I set aside my thoughts about Nora. “What can I do?”

“Help me keep this under wraps and flowing smoothly.”

“When you call in favors, you go for broke, huh?” I set the pan of lasagna on the stove and shut everything off.

“There’s no one else I trust more.”

It’s impossible to stay irritated after E says something like that.

“You know I’m here for you, Primo. Have you eaten?” I extend the invitation, shoving down selfishness. I want time with Nora, but the cool-down period might be wise. We’ve opened Pandora’s Box. With the passion simmering and reality sinking in, I’m unsure if we should try to shove things back in or let them play out.

E nods. “Before we came over. But don’t let that stop you guys.” He frowns. “Did we interrupt more than mealtime?”

“Why would you ask that?” I busy myself grabbing plates and a spatula.

“The fresh bruise on your neck.”

“Shit.” I slap my hand over it, and E’s jaw drops.

“How long has this been going?” He asks, amused.

“Like twenty minutes,” I mutter.

“When?” He pushes off the counter and stands up straight. “What happened?”

“You’re like a gossiping old woman,” I mumble.

“Please. This is huge.” He waves off my words with his hand.

Big deal.The words agitate my calm. Panic sets in.What if we aren't on the same page about this? It could be disastrous.“What was I thinking?”

“What the two of you needed to do for a while now, obviously.” E laughs.

“After the first kiss, I told her we made a mistake,” I admit.

“Why would you do that?” E cringes. “Wait. Did she kiss you back?” He glanced toward the hallway from which the girls had yet to emerge.

“Yes. That’s the problem. Nora completely ruined me with one lip lock. I’ve never felt that way with anyone else. Like the entire world narrowed to one point. It was like diving into the ocean and forgetting how to swim.”

“I always knew there was something between you. Are you going to give dating a try now?”

“I don’t know.” Away from her, my mind is asking a million different questions.

“What do you mean, you don’t know?” E scoffs.

I cut the lasagna aggressively. “Because I know nothing about having a steady relationship. Especially not one I want to last forever.”

“Wait.” E places a hand on my shoulder. “You think she’s the one?”

“I knew this a long time ago,” I admit. It feels good getting the truth off my chest.

“And you did what with that knowledge?” E asks, exasperated.

“Kept it to myself to avoid making a mess of things.”

“You’re being an idiot. Clearly, your kiss was well received, judging by your badge of honor.” He taps the hickey, and I shove him away, budging him with my elbow. “Don’t let the fear keep you away from this.”

“What if I screw this up?” Swallowing my pride, I rehash the previous evening. E winces, and I ignore his sympathetic expression as I finish.

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