Page 40 of Always the Baker

“Yeah, the eyes on us are starting to matter less the more time I spend out with you.”

“Good.” He kissed my temple as his hand lowered to the small of my back.

As the song reached its crescendo, Brax dipped me low. My breath caught in my throat as he slowly pulled me back up. Our faces were inches apart. For a moment, I thought he might kiss me, and I realized how much I wanted him to. It was no surprise music and dancing were so intimate for us, but tonight felt different.

But then the spell broke. A camera flash went off nearby, and reality came crashing back. What was I doing? This wasn’t my world. I wasn’t the girl Brax thought I was. That meant I wasn’t capable of being the girl I wanted to be. How would be a world renowned artist if I couldn’t handle the small amount of cameras and fans that had been approaching me because of Brax?

“I need some air.” I pulled away from him abruptly.

“Billie, wait…” Brax called after me, but I was already pushing through the crowd, desperate to escape before my carefully constructed facade came crumbling down around me. I’d already started getting friend requests from people I didn’t know. That girl from the bistro last night could have blown my cover if she said too much about my profile.

Brax caught up to me just outside of the club. His hand gently grasped my elbow. I turned to face him. My heart raced from more than just our dance.

“Sweetheart, are you okay?”

I nodded. Brax ran a hand through my braids as his eyes searched mine.

“I need to tell you something,” he said softly. “I… I haven’t felt this way in years. There’s something about you, Billie. You’re different from anyone I’ve ever met, but if being with me is overwhelming—”

“Brax, I…”

“No, let me finish,” he interrupted, taking my hands in his. “You make me feel alive again. Like there’s more to life than just music and fame.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “More to life than music? Who are you, and what have you done with Brax Adams?”

He grinned, squeezing my hands. “See? That’s exactly what I mean. You keep me grounded.”

As I looked up at him, my heart soared and sank simultaneously. Here was this amazing guy, pouring his heart out to me, and all I could think about was the web of lies I’d spun.

“Brax, I’m not…” I started, then faltered. How could I tell him the truth now? That I wasn’t some up-and-coming artist, just a small town girl who’d temporarily run away from her responsibilities?

“What is it?”

I forced a smile. “I’m just overwhelmed. In a good way. I never expected to meet someone like you.”

At leastthatpart wasn’t a lie.

Brax pulled me close, and I buried my face in his chest, inhaling his scent.

As we stood there under the neon lights, I was torn between my growing feelings for Brax and the weight of my dishonesty.

The music pulsed behind us as Brax and I stood on the sidewalk, swaying against each other. For a moment, I let myself forget about everything else and just enjoyed being near him. But reality came crashing back when I heard an excited voice cut through the music.

“Brax Adams? Is that you?”

I froze. My heart raced as a well-dressed woman with a press badge approached us. Brax tensed slightly but kept his arm around me.

“Uh, yeah. Wassup?” His tone was polite but guarded.

Her eyes lit up.

“I can’t believe it! What brings you to this little jazz club?” Her gaze shifted to me as she motioned her cameraman over with a wave. “And who’s this lovely lady?”

I felt like a deer in headlights.

“I’m Billie,” I managed to squeak out.

“Billie’s an incredible artist. She’s doing a mural downtown.”

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