Page 23 of Always the Baker

As we parted, I caught a glimpse of myself in a nearby mirror. My eyes were bright. My smile was sincere. I looked… different. Alive in a way I hadn’t in years. Brax confirmed my plans for the rest of the evening and how I planned to get home. After assuring him I didn’t need him to book me a town car, he conceded.

“See you tomorrow, sweetheart,” Brax said, giving my hand a squeeze before heading off to talk to his manager.

I watched him go. What was I getting myself into? As scared as I was, I knew I couldn’t back out now. I wanted this, wanted to see where this could go, even if it was just for a little while.

Tomorrow was going to be one heck of a day.

I’d have him pick me up from the hotel, and if he asked why I was there, I’d tell him it’s because I was spending the weekend on the beach. That was the truth. My parents were going to start calling me tomorrow if I didn’t check in. I felt it in my spirit. As hard as it was going to be, I’d have to avoid talking to them until I was back in town. I felt like a coward avoiding confrontation, but this was the chance of a lifetime. Mom and Daddy would have to continue on without me. Business would be fine... I hoped.

7

Brax

I couldn’t waitto show Billie my favorite spots in the city. Her eyes lit up as we wandered down hidden alleyways and ducked into secret gardens tucked between skyscrapers.

“This is incredible,” she muttered, trailing her fingers along a vine-covered brick wall.

That was how I felt about her—thatshewas incredible. Billie was beautiful. The cinnamon brown skin, round face, slanted eyes, round lips… I couldn’t get enough of looking at her. She was petite but had curves. I had to force myself not to touch her… kiss her. Aside from her beauty, I loved her spirit.

She was creative and artistic, she had dreams and goals, and she was honestly one of the easiest people to talk to. We’d been having a good time, and I felt like for the first time since the fame came that I was with someone who wanted to be with me for me—not the status, connections, or money.

“I never would have found these places on my own. I mean, I’ve explored, but these are places I didn’t know existed,” Billie continued.

I grinned, loving how she was soaking it all in. “That’s the beauty of having a local guide slash someone needing to keep a low profile. We know all the best-kept secrets. I wasn’t raised here but this is my second home.”

As we walked, I found myself watching Billie more than the sights around us. The way she moved with an easy grace, how her dark eyes sparkled with excitement. I was captivated.

“Want to grab a coffee?” I asked, pointing to a nearby black owned cafe. “This place makes the best lattes in town.”

“Oh, um, sure! I love that place. Total regular.”

I raised an eyebrow as we headed inside. Billie was trying way too hard to seem casual as she approached the counter, and I bit back a smile. I could tell she was hiding something, what, I wasn’t exactly sure. It wouldn’t be the first time a woman felt she had to be more than what she was to chill with me, and I hated that. More than anything, I craved something real.Someonereal. Regardless of how simple that realness was, I wanted it, especially after dealing with a superficial liar and user like Amalia.

“The usual?” the barista asked me with a grin.

“Yeah, that’s cool, Mark. How about you, Bill?”

“Oh, uh, yeah. I’ll have my usual too,” she said, fidgeting with her purse strap.

Mark looked at her blankly. “And what would that be?”

I watched, amused, as Billie fumbled over her words. “You know, the… coffee… drink. That I always get. Here. Where I come all the time.”

Lil baby was digging herself deeper with every word. I decided to put her out of her misery.

“How about we both try something new today?” I suggested. “Any seasonal lattes, Mark?”

As Mark rattled off the options, I gave Billie’s hand a subtle squeeze. She shot me a grateful look as her body relaxed.

She was adorable when she was nervous. I had a feeling this day was going to be full of surprises.

As we settled into a corner booth with our drinks, I couldn’t help but notice a girl at a nearby table. Her head bobbed rhythmically. She had her eyes closed, lost in whatever was playing through her oversized headphones. She had it so loud I could clearly hear what it was. Or maybe I recognized it so easily because it was me.

I nudged Billie.

“You hear that?” I whispered, nodding toward the girl.

Billie glanced over, then back at me with confusion covering her pretty ass face. “What about her?”

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