Page 39 of Fierce-Baker

“What? When? Where? Tell me about it.”

She grabbed Margo’s hand and pulled her into the kitchen where they could see the kids still playing. “I’m trying to do that,” she said, laughing and doing a spin around the island. “But you’re not letting me.”

“Oh, my God. You’re glowing. Did you have sex?”

She snorted. “No.”

“But you wanted to.”

“Hell yeah, but I wouldn’t have.” She waved her hand. “We are getting off track.”

“We are. You need to catch me up. You haven’t said a word to me about him other than like ten days ago when you asked if I knew if he was the one Jolene had her sights set on.”

“He is.”

“How did you find out?” Margo asked. “I couldn’t very well ask her or she’d know we were talking. And you know once she knows everyone is onto her, she digs in even deeper.”

“I know. I hadn’t talked to Baker for a week. Then yesterday I’m coming home from dropping Micah off at my parents.”

“Your night alone. I hate that for you. You know you can come hang out with me.”

“I have before, but you worked yesterday, so you want to come home and relax. And I remember how tired I was at the end of the day when I was pregnant. Then add in you’ve got Dylan.”

Margo put her hand on Tasha’s arm. “No need to explain, but I’ll always be here for you, you know that.”

“I do. And that’s why I’m here with Micah rather than at home playing with him. I had to tell someone and you’re the only one I can and who understands the situation we are in on top of it.”

“Back to your story. I want all the details.”

She leaned over to see the boys still playing, then turned back to her best friend. “I got a flat tire driving home yesterday afternoon.”

Once she finished the story about Baker noticing her, fixing her tire, her cleaning his cut, then washing his shorts, and ending with a kiss, Margo’s eyes couldn’t have gotten any bigger.

“He just kissed you for no reason? Like a thank you for dinner?”

“I kind of left out the part where we talked about Jolene.”

“So you both know it’s the other?” Margo asked, her fingers gripping her arm harder, the laughter rolling out.

“Yes. Okay. First, let me just describe the kiss to you.” She fanned herself dramatically. “Wow, baby. Scorching.I mean it. I’ve felt nothing like that before. Ever. The way he pulled me in, that little slip in his control was just enough for me to walk away if I wanted.”

“And you didn’t want to!” Margo squealed.

“No way.” She grinned. “And get this. I actually started it.Imade the first move. But mine was playful.”

“Then Baker took charge?” Margo demanded, practically bouncing on her toes.

God, she had missed this.

Missed sharing the good parts, the breathless parts, themaybe-this-could-be-somethingparts with someone who cared.

She’d never had those things with Shane. She’d kept everything with him quiet and tucked away, like she’d known deep down that something wasn’t right.

That too many pieces didn’t fit no matter how hard she’d tried to force them.

The two weeks he was gone and barely reachable. The rare responses, always during the school day when she was teaching, never at night when they were supposedly both home. Then the rushed phone calls while he was always out somewhere and never consistent.

A dozen red flags she’d painted pretty bright colors.