Page 20 of Fierce-Baker

She watched her bestie walk closer to the food and talk to a few in line, then leave the room.

“I can’t believe my father didn’t come in to taste this,” Mason said. “My mother is going to smell the bourbon on him the minute he walks in the door. He could have tried to cover it up.”

“You guys have been drinking on the job?” she asked, her mouth open.

“Tasha,” Mason said. “Seriously? We drink all the time.”

“It’s called testing,” Baker said. “Got to know what our product is like.”

Which made her feel like an idiot. She knew those things. “But to have it smell on him? That means it was more than just testing.”

“Well,” Ben said. “Gavin has been here ready to crack open a two-year-old aged bourbon. Poor Baker hasn’t been given much of a break between him and Jolene lately.”

“Oh no,” she said. “I’ve heard that Jolene can be a bit much if she’s got you in her sights.”

Ben turned and looked at Baker, wiggled his eyebrows, then went back to his slider. “It’s the best known secret in these parts,” Mason said. “My mother zeroes in on people and there is no escaping.”

This time Mason was looking at her and then back to Baker.

Oh my God.

Was that what was going on?

She’d only talked to him for the first time this morning.

And if he knew, did he think she knew? Or did he think she worked that angle?

Ugh, talk about embarrassing.

“I’m a fast runner,” Baker said.

“Me too,” she said. “I might not look it, but I’ve been chasing kids for years.”

“Ten-year-olds are running from you?” he asked. “I wouldn’t have been at that age.”

The heat filled her cheeks faster than losing her balance on ice. “Not this grade. I taught first grade for years. The past three have been fifth. I haven’t decided which is worse. Kids who don’t listen because they don’t understand, or kids who don’t listen because they are trying to devise the best way to not get caught with their phone.”

Mason pulled his phone out, then turned to Ben. “Shit, we got a problem on the floor.”

Ben stood with him. They finished their sandwiches and were hurrying toward the door, leaving her there with Baker.

“Your rum tastes good in this.”

“Thanks. I might even be able to handle something as easy as this in the kitchen.”

“I’m positive it’d have more rum in it,” she said, winking at him.

He laughed. “Hell yeah.”

“Margo really taught me how to cook. We were roommates before she met Liam. I miss those days, but I think I get by well enough.”

The story of her life. Just figuring out how to get by in many ways.

“I’ve learned sometimes it’s better that way.” He popped the last bite in his mouth. “I should get back.”

She stood with him. “Me too. I’ve got it,” she said, reaching for his plate with hers and cleaning their food up.

“Thanks.”