Page 33 of Baked

“Fuck me, this cake is good.” Luke’s compliment was delivered through a mouthful of sponge.

She realized then that she’d probably spent more time with Luke in the past two weeks than she had in the whole time she’d known him. And she’d warmed to him. A lot. For so long she thought he hated her, little did she know that, like Hunter, he just wasn’t big on communication. Not unless he was joking around or ribbing one of his friends.

“I never took you for a rainbow unicorn cake kind of guy.” Rachel bounced down next to him on Hunter’s gray U-shaped couch.

“Darlin’, it wouldn’t matter if this was hot pink and covered in glitter, it wouldn’t stop me from eating it ... this shit is delicious.” Luke loaded up another forkful before not so gracefully shoving it in his mouth.

“I’m gonna pretend you didn’t just refer to my cake asshit.” Rachel collapsed into the cushions, fidgeting until she was comfortable. It was kind of surprising just how comfortable she felt in Hunter’s home already. Despite all the typical bachelor touches like gray walls, a disturbing amount of dark wood furniture where takeout menus went to die, and of course the classic massive flatscreen TV.

She only got a muffled response from Luke as he raced to devour what little cake was left.

Using the remote beside her, she clicked on the man-sized television and started flicking. There had to be something good on.

She was still channel-surfing when Luke’s plate clattered against the wooden table in front of them. And while she was trying to decide betweenSay Yes to the DressandLove After Lockup, Luke cleared his throat.

“I’m kinda glad I got to pick you up today, ’cause there’s something I wanna talk to you about.”

Is he talking to me?

Twisting her neck to get a good look at the man next to her, she confirmed he definitely was talking to her.

Wow. The man who doesn’t talk wants to talk.

“Okay?”

“So, I heard you and Hunter have made things between you official.” He waited for her nod of acknowledgment before continuing. “Good. I’m glad. But just make sure you go easy on him, okay? He may be a big-ass giant, but the man is soft as shit. A fucking marshmallow. He’s a good man, and he hasn’t always had the best luck with women.” Luke paused for a moment to scrub a hand through his beard. “It’s been a really fucking long time since he’s let anyone in, Rachel. Him doing it now, with you ... it’s a big deal. So, if he fucks up, just do me a favor and give him a chance to fix whatever he did.” He paused for a moment before adding, “Don’t give up on him, okay?”

For the first time ever, Rachel didn’t know what to say. Logically she knew Luke loved his friend, but hearing the protective words still had an impact.

“I know he was married,” she was quick to say. “He told me. And he also told me that I’m the first woman he’s been with since his ex-wife.”

God. She still couldn’t believe he’d been married. And she’d never forget the pain on his face when he’d told her. It didn’t take a genius to figure out the scars from that marriage ran deep.

Luke didn’t seem surprised he’d told her. “He tell you anything else?”

“Like?”

She hadn’t exactly pushed Hunter for details. She figured he would share when he was ready.

Plus, he’s really good at distracting me.

“Like why they broke up?”

Rachel shook her head. Even if she was dying to know, it was Hunter’s secret to share. “He’s not ready to talk about it yet. I can wait.”

Luke considered her a moment before nodding. “You’ll go easy on him?”

She couldn’t help but smile. Hunter wasn’t the only one who was soft as shit. “Yeah, Luke, I’ll go easy on him.”

“Good.” Slumping back into the cushions, Luke’s attention went to the television. “Love After Lockup.”

I guess we’re done talking.

***

Rachel looked downat her hand, which Hunter was holding. This was weird. It was like they were coming out as a couple. Officially. In front of half the town. And everyone was politely pretending they hadn’t noticed.

They’d been at Matt’s birthday party at the Evans ranch for an hour and not one person had addressed the great big elephant in the room. She didn’t get it. What was going on? Her friends were nosy as hell. And since when did Cat, of all people, hold her tongue?

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