Page 83 of Fierce-Baker

“I’m sure my office isn’t as pretty as yours,” he said, opening the door and letting them in.

It was small, had a desk and a chair across from it, his laptop sitting on top opened, and not much more.

“Ugh, this is boring and plain.”

“It’s gray though,” he said. “It used to be white. I picked a paint color. And I look out onto the floor.”

“You need some color in here. I can buy you things.”

“No,” he said, shaking his head. “I don’t need the guys riding my ass that I made it pretty. We don’t do that shit here.”

Brittany laughed and bumped his shoulder. “Got it. I’m assuming Tasha wasn’t working up front since you went right by the stand.”

“No. She’s off today. Next week is her last week and it’s only a few days before she gets ready for school again.”

“That’s why we came now,” Brittany said. “Emme has to report to school on Wednesday. Just a quick trip.”

“I’m glad you could do it. Tasha is looking forward to meeting you tomorrow. Her mother is taking Micah for a few hours.”

He would have liked the entire night but didn’t want to push it.

He’d spent two dinners with Tasha’s son, played with him, but then left when Micah went to bed. No way the kid was going down while he was there and no reason to make Tasha’s life harder.

“I thought we’d meet him,” Brittany said.

“That would be up to Tasha, but he’s too young to go to a restaurant. He’s really high energy and wouldn’t sit still.”

“I’ve got to use the bathroom,” Emme said. “I think I saw it walking down.”

“Yep, down the hall and to the left.”

The minute Emme was out the door, Brittany said, “Tell me what is on your mind.”

“About what? Emme? You two look good together. She seems very nice. Bubbly like you. Can she put up with your snarkiness though?”

“She loves it,” Brittany said. “But that isn’t what I meant. When I talked to you yesterday you seemed off. Everything okay with you and Tasha?”

He didn’t know if he’d have enough time to talk to her alone. “I told her about Alexa.”

“Wow. Good for you, but I’m surprised that you did so soon. I thought things were going slow.”

“They were. Until they weren’t. I don’t know why it’s changed. I can’t put my finger on it, but I figured if I opened up, then she would too.”

“Did she? Do you know what is going on with the ex?”

“I do. I’m struggling. Or I’m conflicted, but understand.”

Brittany pulled her phone out and sent a text. “Okay. Emme is going to give us five minutes. I need to know what you’re struggling with.”

“What, did you tell her to stay in the bathroom?”

“Yep, I did. It’s this thing we do. She’s done it to me too when she’s introduced me to people. She’ll think you’re telling me what you think of her. And what you tell me, stays between us, I promise.”

His sister was the one person he knew he could count on to not say a word.

But did he want her to form an opinion about his girlfriend before meeting her?

“Micah’s father was married and she didn’t know.” He quickly explained that situation and how Tasha found out.