Page 81 of This Baby Business
Still holding the tray, she walked to the kitchen and set it on the table. “It’s okay. I love baking once in a blue moon. There’s a routine to it that’s reassuring. And if you follow the directions precisely, it always comes out.”
Between the doughnuts and brownie deliveries, he definitely needed to figure out a way to play basketball again. Or teach Digger how to run.
Her back to him, she hung her head. “I screwed up. I should have just phoned the doctor’s office before running to the emergency room. You must think I’m such an idiot.”
“Not even close.” He pulled on her arm to turn and face him. “People make mistakes, babe. You’re talking to someone who has made some big ones, so I’m not judging you. Grace is all right.”
“But—”
“You didn’t judgeme, did you?”
“That’s different.”
“You want to tell me why you think you’re such a screw-up? Because something tells me it goes beyond what happened today.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Okay, look. I brought you the brownies, and I’m seriously sorry about today. But that doesn’t mean you get to psychoanalyze me.”
“Got it.”
“Just eat the brownies, Levi. That’s what they’re here for.” She pulled off the tin foil and underneath lay a small work of art.
Brownie art. They had a green icing on them and what appeared to be chocolate shavings on top. Beautiful, and he didn’t want them. Not now. He simply studied her, feeling a smile tug at his lips. She did that to him, even after he’d had a crap day.
He could admit now, so many times he’d come home after work to pick up Grace, he’d been looking forward to a lot more than seeing his little girl. Just a few minutes with Carly picked up his day. She was sweet. Witty. Not to mention after one night with her, impossible to forget.
“You…don’t want the brownies?” she asked.
He folded his arms and leaned back against the counter. “They look great.”
“They are, in fact. All my life, any time I was scared or nervous about anything, like a test, I’d bake. In New York, I had enough inventory to open my own bakery. Too bad I never wanted to do that for a living, since I’m pretty good. My roommates were certainly happy. Aren’t you even going to taste one?”
“Later.”
“Well, fine, suit yourself. I think I’ll have one if you don’t mind. You’re actually in great shape, and I don’t think one brownie is going to kill you.” She scooped a brownie out and took a bite. “How’s Grace?”
“Still good.”
She nodded, and he didn’t miss the way she let out a long breath. Maybe that’s why she’d come over. The brownies were an excuse, because she was still worried about Grace. It killed him a little bit that she had taken it so hard, and he wanted more than anything to make it better for her. To fix this. Permanently. He wanted her to see herself the way he did for once. Capable. So beautiful. Intriguing. He wanted to take whoever had shattered her self-esteem and rearrange his face permanently.
She finished the brownie and licked her finger. He groaned inwardly.
“Levi…maybe…maybe it’s time you find another babysitter.”
“So you’re bailing on me.”
“You should have fired me.” She poked a finger in his chest.
“For overreacting? Listen, I know I’m new at parenting, but I’d be more inclined to fire someone who under reacted. You did everything a newbie parent would have done, and that’s what I want. That’s what Grace needs. Someone who cares about her as much as I do. And I don’t want anyone else.”
“You haven’t even tried to find anyone, have you?”
Now she had him. Why would he when he had her?Correction. You don’t have her, Grace has her. There’s a difference.
“I’ve been busy.”
“It was supposed to be temporary.”
“But now we’re engaged.” He walked past her and picked up a brownie.
