Page 33 of Grounding the Baker
“I’ll be done at the end of June. They asked me to stay on to finish some important projects, but madeit worth my while.”
“That’s a long time to be working like that, Liam. Am I going to have to wait until July for our first date?”
And there it was. The thing they were both thinking about, but Liam hadn’t mentioned. It was up to him to move things forward, but how could he do that when everything was so uncertain at the moment? He didn’t know how to respond to Austin. Liam wasn’t giving up hope, but he knew Austin wouldn’t wait for him forever.
“Liam, let me make one thing clear. If it won’t be until July when we go on our first date, I’ll wait. I think we could have something here, so if that’s when it has to be, I’m okay with that.”
“Really?” he asked, unable to hide the hope in his voice.
Austin reached over and put a hand on his thigh, giving it a gentle stroke. His dick liked that and thickened. It really had been a long time since he’d gotten any, but it was also Austin’s touch. What could those powerful hands do to him if they explored his entire body?
“I won’t lie, Liam, and say I’d behappyto wait, but I’ll do whatever it takes. I haven’t felt a connection like this with someone in a long time. Do you feel it as well?”
He looked at Austin and just nodded, worried he’d choke up if he spoke. Austin gently stroked his cheek and turned his attention back to the road. Liam couldn’t help but put his hand on the place Austin had just touched him.
“But . . .”
He looked at Austin, who glanced at him and smiled before looking back at the road.
“I’m still going to find as many opportunities as I can to see you, and flirt with you shamelessly. I hope that’s okay?”
Liam laughed, his eyes watering. He nodded his head again; he was definitely okay with that.
NINE
AUSTIN
It was the monthly trivia night at the Stag and Lantern, and the place was packed. Maisie was with Giselle and Henrietta. Last month she’d been upstairs, but his daughter had taken a shine to her new aunties. Austin had now arranged for a childminder to collect Maisie from school every day and stay with her until he got home, and it had been working well, but their arrangement didn’t stretch into evenings like this.
Work had really ramped up over the last few weeks. He was seeing out his commitments on the design work, but planned to let that go soon. It was still something he could fall back on if needed, but he wouldn’t take any new commissions for the time being.
Word of mouth had gotten out about his business, and he was booked solid until the end of April. He’d been hiring some freelance labour to support him on jobs. It was good to be busy again, doing what he loved. The last year had felt like he was in limbo, but he’d needed time to heal after Ellie’s death and to build the different relationship he nowhad with Maisie as a single parent. Moving back to Heartwood had definitely been the right move. Maisie had an unlimited number of surrogate uncles and aunties, and seeing his lifelong friends all the time was something he hadn’t realised he’d missed. There was just one thing playing on Austin’s mind: Liam.
It was Thursday night, and he didn’t know how Liam’s meeting had gone on Monday. When he’d gone into the bakery on Tuesday, he was told Liam had stayed in London overnight at his flat. Austin knew he still had a room there, but wasn’t sure why he hadn’t mentioned he was staying over in London. Not that he owed Austin an explanation, but he’d felt a genuine breakthrough with Liam on Monday morning. It was obvious he feared taking the next step, even though it was clear they both wanted each other. Austin didn’t know Liam’s previous relationship history, but suspected it wasn’t good. Staying in London for a night was nothing, but Austin had been in the bakery every day this week, and he’d gotten the same answer. The range of food on offer was limited as Chloe wasn’t at the level of baking that Liam was. There were rumblings on the gossip grapevine that Liam had moved back to London for good, but Austin didn’t believe it, or was he just trying to convince himself that all wasn’t lost?
By Wednesday, he’d texted Liam a few times to check he was okay. He’d not received a response. Earlier today he’d called him three times, and Liam hadn’t answered. Austin was self-aware enough to know if he did any more, he might come across as obsessive, but he was worried.
“What’s up with your face?” asked Tony.
He was up for a long weekend, which would be nice. They had plans for the weekend with all of them. Gerardwas the MC for trivia night, and Kevin was in the kitchen. They had time off on Saturday afternoon together, so they could do something, and there were no festivals, so even Michael was free.
“My face is perfect, thanks.”
“Normally it is avery prettyface, but now it looks like a smacked arse. Who’s pissed you off? Do I need to hire a hitman?”
Austin snorted. Tony said that a lot, not that he would hire a hitman, but it played on the fact his friend would never get his own hands dirty for anything. He once paid a handyman two hundred quid to change a toilet seat out of hours because he couldn’t wait until Monday morning to call someone. It’d had to be done immediately, even though the original wasn’t broken, and it was just an impulse purchase. That was Tony. There were no problems, only a price which hadn’t been negotiated yet.
“Nothing’s wrong, Tony. I’ve just been busy.”
“I think it’s about Liam,” said Nathan.
Tonywhoopedas if it was the best thing he’d ever heard.
“Nathan! What happened to you being the quiet one of the group?”
As soon as Austin had spoken, he regretted it. Nathan’s shoulders hunched, and he looked at the floor. Austin glared at Tony and moved, so he was sitting next to Nathan.
“Hey, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap. I’m preoccupied. You’ve done nothing wrong. I know you were just being helpful.”
