Page 49 of Talk Wicked to Me

“Is Steph making those caramel brownies again?” Zander asked.

“Yes, she is—” A round of cheers rang out, cutting off Gunner. When they quieted, he said, “I’m hoping Baz’s new baby mama, Emerson, will make some of her delicious cookies, too.”

Tank and his cousins cheered, and hell if Baz wasn’t grinning like a fool. “I’ll see what I can do,” he promised. It would be the perfect excuse for him to spend more time with Emerson and Brennan. But the event was two months away, and she was so exhausted, he decided to wait a few weeks to bring up the idea. Give her time to get rest and heal.

As Gunner finished his spiel, Baz sent a text to check on Emerson.

Baz: How’s your night?

Emerson: Good. Your mom and Mads are here.

He was glad Madigan had gone with his mother, giving Emerson even more support.

Emerson: Ginger brought me a breast pump, and Mads brought me a copy of the next book they’re reading in their book club. She really wants me to go to their meeting next month.

Emerson: What is with your family?

Baz: I don’t know what you mean.

Emerson: It’s impossible not to like them.

Baz: Like someone else I know.

Fuck. He needed to rein that in.

She sent a blushing emoji.

He’d like to see that blush in person and watch it deepen when he told her he couldn’t stop thinking about her. Which was why he moved to a safer subject.

Baz: How’s Little B?

Three dots danced, like she was typing. He waited, and a minute later another text popped up.

Madigan: You’re supposed to be at a meeting! This is our time with Emerson. Put your phone away or I’m going to text my dad.

Baz chuckled.

“Is there something you’d like to share with the group, Baz?” Preacher asked.

Baz looked up from his phone and realized everyone was watching him. “Sorry. Veterinary issue.”

When Preacher continued the meeting, Gunner leaned closer to Baz, whispering, “I can’t remember the last time a vet issue made you smile like that.”

Because none ever have.

Baz behaved for the rest of what felt like the longest meeting in the history of the club, although, in reality, it was only an hour and a half, and he stuck around to shoot the shit with the guys afterward. But he was edgy as fuck. All he wanted was to go see Emerson and Brennan.

Nearly an hour later, when everyone finally headed out to go to the Salty Hog, Baz got another text. Hoping it was Emerson, he whipped out his phone. But his hopes were quickly dashed.

Evie: Meet you at the Hog?

Baz: Maybe later.

Evie: Going to see Emerson?

While Evie had initially been worried about Baz protecting his heart, when he’d gotten to work this morning, she’d been more concerned about Emerson. She knew how hard it was to be a single parent. Her parents had divorced when she was young, and their friends Starr and Justice were also single parents. Their kids were no longer babies, but Evie and Baz, along with a number of others, had been there to help them through the early years.

Baz: Yeah. I want to make sure she’s okay.