Page 74 of Talk Wicked to Me

“Hi,” Emerson said. “I like your coffee shop.”

“Thanks. I like your baby,” Gabe said cheerily. “He’s so little. How old is he?”

“Seven weeks,” she and Baz answered in unison, the pride in Baz’s voice as strong as the pride in hers, which surprised her, but she quickly realized he’d sounded like that since Brennan was born.

“Shut the front door,” Gabe exclaimed. “You gave birth seven weeks ago? You look amazing.”

“Thanks. I don’t see it, but I’m getting used to my new mom bod.”

“I wish I had your mom bod,” Gabe said. “Did Baz really deliver this baby, or is that just a rumor?”

“He did. Does the whole town know?” Emerson asked.

“Pretty much. Gossip spreads faster than weeds around here,” Gabe said. “How were his roadside manners?”

Baz cocked a brow. “My roadside manners?”

“I couldn’t say bedside, or she might think I was asking about your sex life,” Gabe exclaimed. “And if you’re using manners in the bedroom, I do not want to hear about it.”

Emerson laughed.

“Look at me being rude and cornering you in the doorway. Do you want to get a table and sit down?” Gabe asked.

“No, thanks. We can’t stay,” Baz said. “Emerson is new to the area, and I just wanted to show her your coffee shop. She’s an editor, and she’s looking for a place to work for a few hours each week to get her out of the house with Brennan. I suggested she come here.”

“You definitely should,” Gabe said. “We have a baby changing station in the ladies’ room and a great crew of regulars who come in with their laptops to do their thing. You’d fit right in, and I’d get to see your little guy and take the edge off my maternal clock, which has been ticking way too loud lately.”

Elliott agreed. “Gabe, Emerson bakes, too.”

“That’s what I’ve heard,” Gabe explained. “Ginger and Con were in a couple of weeks ago to go over a few things for the rally, and Ginger mentioned that she’s trying to get you to make cookies to sell at the Salty Hog.”

“She’s brought it up a time or two,” Emerson said.

“Elliott is our resident baker, but we could always use more treats, so if you take the plunge, let me know,” Gabe suggested.

“They better be as good as mine,” Elliott said.

“I’m sure they’re not,” Emerson said with a smile.

Baz scoffed. “She’s being humble. Dude, I’ll bring you some. You’ll see how good they are.”

“I’d like to get in on the taste testing, too,” Gabe said, making them laugh.

They talked for a few more minutes, and Gabe hugged her before they left and said she hoped she’d see her often. As they drove away, Emerson knew she’d found her new favorite coffee shop, and she couldn’t wait to see what else Baz had in store for her.

Chapter Twenty-One

BAZ WAS MORE than fulfilling his mission to help Emerson fall in love with the Cape. They drove through Harwich, and he showed her cute shops, cafés, the best beaches, and the elementary school he’d attended, which had closed when they’d regionalized school districts and was now being used as a cultural center. They visited a family-owned lavender farm, where they chatted with the owners and Baz bought Emerson lavender lotion and lavender-lemon marmalade. Then they headed to Chatham, the preppy small town in which Brennan would one day go to elementary school. They had lunch at a café overlooking the main drag. Baz surprised her when he pulled out a collapsible dog dish, filling it with water, then gave Ollie a treat. Ollie gobbled it down and was content to people watch while they ate.

After Brennan was nursed and changed, he napped in his stroller as they walked through the shops, many of which allowed dogs, but Ollie wasn’t allowed inside the massive old library.

“We can come back without him one day, but why don’t you take a look inside. I’ll wait out here with the boys.”

The boys…

She had a feeling she’d never get used to the way he made everyone and everything feel special. “It’s okay. I’d rather experience it the first time with you.”

“And you think I’m charming.” He kissed her and whispered, “I look forward to experiencing a lot of firsts with you.” He took her hand. “Let’s go, Lockhart. There are more shops to see.”