Page 41 of Always the Baker

The journalist’s eyebrows shot up. “Oh really? Which part of downtown? I’d love to feature your work in my next column.”

My mind went blank. I couldn’t even remember the name of the fake building I’d mentioned to Brax. “It’s, um…”

“Actually,” Brax cut in, “Billie’s pretty private about her work. Maybe we could set up an interview another time?”

The journalist wasn’t letting up. “Come on, just a few questions. What’s the backstory behind the music? Billie, howdid you and Brax meet? What’s it like dating one of the hottest male singers out right now?”

My palms were sweating, and I could feel panic rising in my chest. This was it. I was about to be exposed as a fraud in front of Brax and who knows how many others.

“I, um, I need to go.” Without waiting for a response, I wiggled out of Brax’s grasp and bolted down the sidewalk.

I didn’t get far before I heard Brax’s voice behind me. “Billie! Wait up!”

My legs were screaming at me to keep running, but my heart won out. I slowed to a stop. My breath came out in short gasps. Brax caught up. His brow was furrowed with concern.

“Hey, what’s going on?” he asked, reaching for my hand.

I pulled away, wrapping my arms around myself. “I’m fine. I just don't like the attention.”

Brax tilted his head, unconvinced. “Billie, come on. Talk to me. Was it the journalist? I’m sorry about that. I should’ve told her to back off.”

I shook my head, fighting back tears. “It’s not that. It’s, oh my God, I’m such an idiot.”

“You’re not an idiot,” Brax said softly. He took a step closer, and I could smell his scent… a mix of his cologne and something uniquely him. “Whatever it is, we can figure it out together.”

I looked up at him, taking in his kind brown eyes and the little worry line between his brows. How did I fall for him so quickly? And how was I going to tell him the truth without losing him?

“Brax, really,” I started, but the words got stuck in my throat.

He waited patiently, his eyes never leaving mine. It was now or never.

“I lied to you. About the mural, about living here, about everything. I’m just… I’m just a graphic designer in a tiny town who likes to paint and bake sometimes.”

12

Brax

I paced backand forth across the penthouse living room. My fingers tapped an anxious rhythm against my thigh. I’d decided to ignore everything she’d said on the sidewalk earlier, until we made it back to my place. I didn’t want anyone hearing what she might have to say, and I didn’t want to make a scene either.

I glanced over at her, wondering just how many lies she’d told me. Billie sat on the edge of the leather sofa. Her eyes darted around the room, looking everywhere but at me as she rocked side to side. The tension was so thick you could cut it with a guitar pick.

“Are you going to tell me what’s going on, Hopkins?” I finally asked. “Are you going to explain all of that to me?”

Her slim shoulders hunched. “Yes, Brax. I just, well, I need to think for a second.”

My frustration was building. Here I was thinking she, we, were so real… and now I find out it was all a lie. “About what? About how you’ve lied to me? About how you’ve made up entirescenarios without batting an eyelash? Or about how you can lie again to cover this shit up?”

Billie’s lower lip trembled, and I fought the urge to go to her. I needed answers first.

“I’m sorry I haven’t been entirely honest with you,” she whispered. “I didn’t think this would happen.”

My stomach dropped. “What do you mean?”

She took a shaky breath, twisting her hands in her lap. “The things I told you about me, about my life, I never thought you’d actually be interested in me enough to ever find out the truth. I was afraid...”

“Afraid of what?” I pressed, my heart pounding.

Billie finally looked up at me. Her eyes brimmed with tears. “Afraid you wouldn’t want me if you knew the truth.”

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