Page 52 of Talk Wicked to Me

“Baz went to check on a dog at the shelter,” Tori explained. “He should be back any minute. I’ll text him and let him know you’re here.”

“Thanks.” As Tori went back to her desk, Emerson sat down, putting Brennan’s carrier on the floor in front of her. She remembered how protective Baz had been the last time she’d sat in that very chair. That seemed like ages ago. She never would have guessed they’d get so close, but she was glad they had. She leaned forward, giving Brennan her finger to hold, and whispered, “You were here the day you were born, but you were still in my belly.”

Evie came out of a door in the back of the room and gasped. “You’re here!” She hurried over to Emerson. “Hi. I’m Evie. Remember me? It’s nice to see you again. I’ve been dying to get to know you and Brennan.”

“Hi. I remember you, and Baz has told me a lot about you.” She didn’t know why she said that. Baz had shared a little here and there about Evie, but he hadn’t told her much.

“All lies, I’m sure.” Evie crouched by Brennan. “Aren’t you the cutest little guy.” She glanced up at Emerson. “So, are you sick of him yet?”

“Brennan? No. I could never be sick of him.”

“Not Brennan. Baz.” Evie sat in the chair beside her.

“Oh.” Relief rushed out with a breathy laugh. “I was going to say…”

“I know you’d never get sick of Brennan. But I’ve known Baz since we were kids. He’s an amazing guy, but he can be a pushy pain in the you-know-what.”

And just like that, Emerson’s nervousness flitted away. “He is pushy, but he’s been great, and he’s so good with Brennan. He’s always loving on him, telling him how smart he is, and whispering like they have big secrets.” All of which made her melt inside. “I’ve got no complaints.” Except that I can’t stop thinking about kissing him.

The office door opened, and Baz walked in, radiating confidence and power, his black polo shirt straining over his biceps and chest, his hair finger combed, those few wayward strands hanging over one eye. His gaze landed on Emerson, sparking that thrum of desire she was trying so hard to ignore. A slow grin brought out his dimples, and her stomach flip-flopped.

“Speak of the devil,” Evie said, eyeing the two of them curiously.

“I’m glad you made it.” Baz closed the distance between them, his jeans-clad legs quickly closing the gap. He leaned in and kissed Emerson’s cheek. “You look beautiful.”

Evie cocked a brow and cleared her throat.

“You always look great, Eves.” He crouched beside Brennan, offering his finger, which her boy took hold of.

“Yeah, yeah,” Evie said as if she’d heard it a hundred times.

“The trick is to look really bad most days,” Emerson said conspiratorially.

“Your mama is one silly lady,” Baz said to Brennan. “She couldn’t look bad if she tried. Did you have a good morning? Did you play with Ollie and go for a walk in the stroller or the baby carrier?”

“I think my ovaries just exploded,” Tori said.

“Mine have been exploding for weeks,” Emerson admitted. “I take back what I said earlier. That’s the one complaint I have. What is it about a tough, tattooed guy with a baby that makes us lose our minds?”

“His deadly dimples don’t help,” Evie said.

Baz flashed a grin, and all three girls groaned, then laughed.

“I brought you guys something.” Emerson reached into the baby bag and took out two containers. “Cookies for all of you, and doggie biscuits for your clients.” She’d been baking a lot lately, getting creative with new flavors and loving it. She often sent cookies to work with Baz and sent some home with Sidney, Ginger, and Madigan.

“Yes!” Evie cheered, and hugged her. “Thank you. I don’t know what you put in your cookies, but I’m addicted to them.”

“Do you have a favorite flavor?” Emerson asked.

“German chocolate,” Tori chimed in, putting the container of doggy biscuits on her desk.

“Yum. I love those, but I also love the vanilla almond, and the confetti cookies, and the dark chocolate.” Evie shrugged. “I guess they’re all my favorites.” She took the container of cookies from Emerson. “I’ll take good care of these.”

“Try to save a few for me and Quinton.” Baz winked at Emerson, Brennan’s fingers still wrapped around his, sending another thrill through her.

Evie turned a pleading gaze to Emerson. “Any chance I can convince you to bring cookies to the book club meeting next week? My sister Brandy is catering, but I know for a fact she doesn’t have cookies on the menu.”

“I’m still not sure if I’m going. It sounds fun, and I’d like to chat about the book, but I’m nervous about leaving Brennan.”