Page 111 of Fierce-Baker

“And you have a hand in this. So it was worth quizzing me like a chick?”

“I always did like you, Baker,” Gavin said. “I’ll let that comment pass because you’re right. That’s exactly what I’m doing.” Gavin looked around as if he might be fearful his wife was close by. “If I come home with something, she’ll be off your back for weeks. Maybe months.”

He had to weigh his words.

The visit with Tasha’s parents had gone well. Better than well.

He’d done a damn good job hiding his nerves. With the way she was acting, the last thing she needed was to know he was feeling the same. Maybe even worse.

And when Ron pulled his daughter outside for a chat, he wasn’t sure what the hell was happening, nor what would come out of Gillian’s mouth leaving the two of them inside.

But Tasha’s mother was excited, polite, maybe even a little over the top asking how things were going with them, but nothing that he found too intrusive.

When Tasha came back in with her father smiling, and Micah ran to him to sit on his lap, the vibe changed in the room.

Not just with her parents, but with him. The environment.

The family they were becoming.

He saw in that moment a future.

One with her and Micah and maybe another child.

Yeah, he wanted at least one of his own someday. He was positive Tasha would too.

Not that they’d talked about it much. It was too soon.

Just not there for either of them regardless of how much it was crowding space in his brain.

There was no reason to scare her off with pressure.

Nor scare himself with thoughts he’d had once that Alexa couldn’t handle.

But Tasha wasn’t Alexa.

Tasha was strong. She was independent. She was open with him even if she wasn’t with others.

He knew where he stood and, under it all, it was what he craved the most.

“Anything to make Jolene happy,” he said. The buzzer went off, and he hit the tap on the batch for the mixture to pour into his glass, Gavin right there holding his glass next.

They both took a sip. Gavin, having run a bar for decades, would know exactly how the best cocktail should taste.

“Not bad,” Gavin said, taking another sip.

He did the same, let it settle on his tongue for a second.

“More lemon and more sugar,” he said.

“Agreed,” Gavin said. “The gin content is good. Try the lemon first.”

“That was the plan.” He measured out a small amount, updated it on his computer, then hit the button to spin it.

“Have you thought about a touch of cherry juice in it?” Gavin asked. “Saves people from the garnish with the cherry. Not everyone thinks to pick them up. The truth is, most don’t eat it, just like the little hit of tartness.”

“I hadn’t thought of it. I will though. We’ll get this squared first, then once I get it to the point it’s good, I can test a batch with that.”

“You know I’m here to help,” Gavin said.