Page 106 of Talk Wicked to Me

When they reached the beach, a trail of daisies led to the left, and there in the sand, standing tall, broad, and devastatingly handsome, was Baz, wearing an emerald-green shirt and white linen pants and holding Ollie’s leash. Emerson filled with joy. Baz had not only brought Ollie, but her pooch was wearing an emerald-green bow tie. Baz was talking with an auburn-haired woman with colorful tattoos on her arms. She was holding a camera, and they were standing by a blanket with white and peach pillows on it. As if he sensed her presence, Baz looked over, and that warm, wicked smile appeared, making her stomach flip-flop.

As he closed the distance between them, the adoration in his eyes was as entrancing and as palpable as the thrum of their connection, drawing her forward like a magnet. She ran the last few feet, clutching Brennan in one arm, reaching for Baz with the other. Brennan pumped his legs excitedly as Baz swept them into his arms, lifting her off her feet, and kissed her, while Ollie ran around them barking, his leash trailing behind.

Emerson couldn’t stop smiling as Baz set her on the sand. “You’re crazy! I can’t believe you did all this.”

“Someone’s got to carry on the Lockhart tradition.” He took Brennan from her, kissing him, as he stepped back, his gaze sliding down the length of her. “God, you’re stunning.”

“Thank you. You totally spoiled me.”

“It’s about time someone did.” He pulled her close again, talking low, for her ears only. “Is it bad that I can’t wait to tear that dress off you?”

Now, there’s a delicious idea. “Like I said, you spoil me.” She went up on her toes and kissed him, and then she touched his collar. “You look like you walked off the pages of a fashion magazine. That’s a great color on you.”

“Thanks. The photo shoot is for you and Brennan, but I’m hoping you might let me slip in for a few pictures. I make pretty good arm candy.”

“You make the best arm candy.”

He kissed her again, and then he turned to Madigan and said, “Would you mind holding Little B for a minute?”

“Sure, if you promise to tell Tobias to surprise me with this kind of photo shoot when we have babies.” Madigan pocketed her phone to take Brennan, and Ollie followed her, sticking to them like glue.

Emerson realized Madigan had been taking pictures or filming them, and she noticed the photographer stealthily doing the same. Butterflies swarmed in her belly, but when Baz set his loving eyes on her, it had the same effect as the way her mother had looked at her after she’d seen her sticky notes, and that nervousness flitted away.

“I know nothing can ever replace your parents,” Baz said tenderly. “But I had a little something made for you, so no matter where you are or what you’re doing, you’ll always feel like they’re with you.”

He pulled a necklace out of his shirt pocket and laid it in his palm, showing her an exquisite, intricate rose-gold charm unlike anything she’d ever seen before. It was three-dimensional and hollow inside, as if it were carved from a solid piece of gold, with the silhouette of a man and woman facing each other in the lower half, their arms around a young girl standing between them. Their legs melded together along the bottom of the heart, like the heart was cradling them, and their bodies formed the trunk of a gorgeous tree. Elegant branches bloomed from their backs, stretching to the edges of the heart, and wrapped around the back of the charm. Inside the charm, cradled by that wonderous tree, was a tiny gold ladybug with diamond and ruby spots.

“Baz, it’s beautiful.” Her eyes teared up. “I love it.” And I love you. She threw her arms around him. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, darlin’. I’m glad you like it.”

As he put it on her, she asked, “How did you have it made so fast? I just told you about the ladybugs two days ago.”

“A jeweler friend owed me a favor.”

“That’s a big favor.”

“I saved his dog’s life a few years ago when he was here on vacation.”

She touched the charm. “I’ll never take it off.”

“I’m glad.” He motioned toward the blanket, and she saw that along with the pillows, there were stuffed animals and bouquets of flowers. “Shall we?”

Excitement bubbled up inside her anew as he introduced her to Erika, the friendly photographer.

“We’re going to start with casual shots while you get comfortable with the camera,” Erika said. “Just be yourself and enjoy your baby. You can walk along the beach, use the blanket, sit, stand. Whatever feels natural. Do you want Ollie in the pictures?”

“Yes, please.”

“Okay, let’s do it, and I’ll make suggestions as we go.”

Now Emerson’s nerves flared, as she and Brennan became the focus of everyone’s attention. Erika took pictures of her doing all the things she’d mentioned. Ollie trotted in and out of the pictures, getting as close to Brennan as he could, while Madigan and Baz cheered them on. “You look great…That’s the sweetest picture…Little B’s smile is going to break hearts one day…” But no matter how many pictures Erika took, Emerson felt Baz’s absence like a piece of them was missing.

“Excuse me, can I have a minute?” Emerson asked. “Baz?” She waved him over.

Concern rose in his eyes. “Is something wrong?”

“Kind of. These are going to be great, but I want my arm candy.”