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But then I worry about what it’ll look like when the woman who’s moved in with him is baking him cakes and throwing a birthday party for him like she’s a girlfriend. Especially after the other morning when we clearly flirted with a line we shouldn’t cross if I’m going to be living here for the summer.
Lizzy eats the last of her sandwich and then frowns while she waits for me to say something.
“If you’re too busy, I understand.”
My heart sinks. I don’t want to let her down. Especially not when she wants to do something so thoughtful for her dad. I really don’t want to let Cooper down either, given how generous he’s been with his home and his time for me as I navigate the mess that is my life right now. We’re both adults and I can do something to help his daughter celebrate him.
“No. No. It’s not that. I can do it. If you plan it and put the invitations together this week, I’ll deliver them to the guys before the end of the week for you. I’ll just tell them I’m stepping in for you since you can’t be there. Just want to make sure you get credit for all the hard work.” I smile at her.
“Will you bake him a cake though? I know we can order one, but we both always loved the stuff you made at the lake house when you were with Uncle Rob.”
“Yes. I can do that. I have a recipe I’ve been wanting to try anyway. Your dad likes chocolate, right?”
“He loves it. It’s his favorite.” She grins, and then it fades. “Sorry for mentioning Uncle Rob. I know that probably made it weird. I didn’t mean to.”
“No, it’s fine. We were together for a while. It’s how you and I met. He’s still your uncle. You’re allowed to mention him to me. There are no hard feelings there.”
“Well, I have hard feelings. His new girlfriend is nowhere near as fun as you are. I don’t know what he was thinking. But I’m glad you’re here with me and Dad for the summer.”
“Yeah, I heard you played a significant role in that. Thank you. You’re really thoughtful, you know?” I smile at her.
“Don’t get too excited. It was a little bit selfish on my part. It meant I got to spend more time with you. And you make Dad laugh a lot, like the way he was at the fair; I’m glad you guys can have fun together.”
“Me too.” I grin.
“I’m just sad I have to go to camp now because it means I don’t get as much time with you.” She rolls her lower lip into a pout.
“I’ll still be here when you get back.”
“But then we’re going to the lake house. You know it’s my birthday then… and I might need you to make my cake too.” A wry grin forms on her face, and she wiggles her eyebrows.
“Okay… let’s take this one thing at a time.” I give her a look.
Going to the lake house is a nonstarter, not that I want to tell her that. It’s one thing to hang out with her and Cooper here. But Rob and his new girlfriend would most definitely be at the big family summer get-together, and I don’t need to be the odd woman out for that. Or worse yet, looking like I’m still pining after him and trying to find ways to see him.
“Fine. But I’m still going to be plotting for it.”
“You do that. In the meantime, tell me more about camp. Is it a programming camp or design? What all are you doing there?”
“Yes! It’s like a boot camp for game designers. A bunch of other people my age will all work on a project together.” She starts telling me all the opportunities she’s going to have and I listen. My heart is so happy for her, to know she’s getting to do something she loves so much, and that her parents are so supportive of her pursuing her dreams.
15
Beatrix
I’m neck-deep in flour, butter, and cocoa powder with them half-splattered around the kitchen. I’m lucky that Cooper is one of the most patient men in existence because while I might be a halfway decent baker, I am also one hundred percent a messy one too. So I’m hoping he doesn’t get home a half hour from now and die at the state of it. Not exactly the surprise birthday party Lizzy imagined for him. As I start to run the mixer, I feel like I’m missing something, and I scan the ingredients on the counter again.
“Trixie?” I hear him call from the front hallway. So much for getting this done before he got home. I guess they let him loose early the day before his birthday.
“In the kitchen!”
Cooper comes in a moment later, blinking as his eyes shift back and forth at the mess I’ve created.
“I’m going to clean it up. I’m sorry. Wren says it’s worth it,” I apologize, cringing a little as I look around and see how bad it truly is.
Cooper laughs and shakes his head.
“Okay, well, maybe we need to order in or go out for dinner then?”
