by Addison Cole
Susan looped her arm in Lizzie’s, then she took Andrea’s hand and said, “Girl time. Yay. I wish Trish and Isabel were here.”
They went into the kitchen, and Lizzie felt warm and fuzzy inside as she helped fill glasses with lemonade.
Andrea touched her shoulder. “I’m glad you came in to chat with us.”
“The guys will talk about sports and work,” Susan added. “Lemonade is our code for girl talk.”
“Oh, I like the way you think.” Lizzie followed them out to the back porch, where they each sank into rocking chairs overlooking the yard. The house sat on the top of a gentle slope, giving them a beautiful view of acres of woods and the sun setting just beyond. The air was crisp and woodsy, with an undercurrent of pine and happiness.
“Are you nervous about your wedding?” Lizzie asked.
Susan laughed. “I wish. That would make me more normal, wouldn’t it? But while I have a knack for fashion, I am so bad at preparing for anything that I don’t really get nervous about events anymore. With blogging, things that come spur-of-the moment always come across the most natural, and if I worry about what I’m writing, I almost always mess up. Besides, thankfully, Jeremy and Andrea planned almost the whole wedding, with my mom, of course.” She reached out and squeezed Andrea’s hand. “As long as I know I’m marrying the man I love, that’s all I care about. I know the wedding will be beautiful.”
“You didn’t mind?” The words slipped out before she could stop them. “No offense, Andrea, but doesn’t every bride want to plan her own wedding?”
“Not our Susan. She was glad to hand everything over other than her dress and the bridesmaid gowns. She even let Jeremy decide what colors he wanted for the suit. And Jeremy, well, he’s such a planner. He always has been, like my Cash. Those boys have always been prepared for anything.
“He would have driven me crazy watching over my shoulder anyway,” Susan added with a raise of her brows. “We make a perfect pair. He’s prepared and I need him to be. But enough about our wedding. I want to hear about you and Blue. Are you two serious?”
Lizzie was surprised that such a successful fashion blogger wouldn’t be more worried about her wedding. But then again, Susan was so laid-back that she wasn’t having an extravagant wedding. They were having a small wedding with just family and close friends at one of Duke’s hotels.
She felt the urge to gush about Blue, to tell them how much she loved him and how he’d stuck by her without being afraid to tell her his true feelings about the Naked Baker, but that would mean she’d have to come totally clean with them about the program. And the thought of that made her stomach hurt.
Instead, she said, “Yes, we’re pretty serious.”
Andrea sipped her lemonade and ran her finger around the rim of her glass as she spoke. “Let me tell you about my Blue. You know how some kids are always on the go? Jake was like that. He was always taking off into the woods or with friends. Trish was a social butterfly, the only girl, you know. Duke, Gage, and Cash have always been more serious, but Blue? Blue was the boy who brought home stray dogs to take care of, and birds, and bunnies. He’s always been guided by his heart, and part of that has always been taking care of those he loved. He built a fort for Jake over spring break one year when he was in middle school. Got up every morning and spent hours in the woods. We didn’t really know what he was up to, but he’d march out there with his toolbox at the break of day and come back at dinnertime, dirty and grinning like he’d just stolen the cookie jar. He told us afterward that he worried that if Jake got caught in the rain, he might need shelter.” She smiled at Lizzie.
“Little did he know that Jake would grow up to be one of the best search and rescue guys on the East Coast—and a heck of a survivalist. But that was Blue. He put his heart and soul into everything he did, and usually it was for others. He’d work with his dad in the yard or help him fix the car or the roof. He always wanted to have his hands on something. When Trish was upset over some boy, he’d distract her, take her out, cheer her up.” She lifted her eyes to Lizzie again. “It’s wonderful to see him open up to you, Lizzie. He’s such a giver, and, well, he’d closed his heart off for so long that I worried about him. I wasn’t sure if he’d ever really let anyone in again.”
Lizzie couldn’t help but say, “He’s the most generous and loving man I know.” In that moment of opening up, she realized that she wanted to be completely honest with them. She and Blue were in love, and she allowed herself to imagine a future with him, a family, a life without the Naked Baker, even if that was two years away. She didn’t want to have any more secrets in their closets. She tried to push her insecurities aside, but she wasn’t quite there yet. Instead she said, “I’ve never met a man who is so open with his feelings.”
“Oh, that’s a Ryder thing. It took some time with Jeremy,” Susan said with a shake of her head, “but he came around. Jeremy had this harsh professional edge when I met him, but underneath, he was soft and squishy.”
Andrea laughed. “I don’t think anyone else in the world would call Jeremy soft and squishy.”
Lizzie’s heart was beating so fast she almost backed down from exposing her secret, but she felt close with these women already, and if she had any hopes of a future with Blue and a good relationship with his family, she knew she had to be honest.
“I have something I want to share with you, but it’s a little embarrassing. I won’t be upset if it makes you think less of me, but I want to be honest with the two of you. With your whole family, really, but…”
Andrea’s brows knitted together. She reached for Lizzie’s hand. “Honey, you look like whatever this is, it’s really weighing heavily on you. We aren’t a judgmental bunch, but if you aren’t comfortable sharing, then please don’t feel pressure to.”
Lizzie was thankful for her understanding, but she’d hidden enough, and now she was causing Blue to hide something from his family. She knew Duke was keeping her secret, too, and she didn’t want that.
“Thank you, but I want to tell you.” She told them about the Naked Baker program, explained how it had come about and all the way up to her father’s reaction and the meeting with FCN. When she was done, she felt free. Free and ashamed, and she lowered her eyes to her lap and waited for judgment to claim her, because really, how could they not judge her?
She was nearly drawn to tears when Susan walked over and hugged her. “You have one lucky little sister, and shame on your father. I think Andrea and I should have a talk with him.”
“You are a resourceful woman, aren’t you,” Andrea said. “Why on earth would that embarrass you?”
Lizzie blinked up at them, trying to swallow past the lump in her throat. “Did I not mention that I wear an apron and heels and act seductive?” She was sure she’d mentioned every detail, but now she wondered if she’d only said it in her head.
“Sure you did,” Andrea answered. “But you also said that the viewers can’t see your private parts, so what’s the harm in that?”
“I sometimes wear lingerie for my blog,” Susan said with a smile. “It’s all the same. I seduce the camera no matter what I’m wearing, and Jeremy had a heck of a time with that at first. Hey, it’s all part of the job. How did Blue react?”
With his mother’s eyes on her, Lizzie answered honestly. “He was a little hurt that I didn’t tell him before we became close, and he doesn’t love the idea of men watching me, but he came around pretty quickly. I don’t blame him, though. I should have told him before we got too close, and I know it’s a lot for a guy to accept.”
“All guys are like that,” Susan said, lowering her voice. “Jeremy wanted to know who was taking the lingerie pictures of me for my site.” She smiled. “He was so cute.”
“Lizzie, I’m sorry about your father’s reaction. Have you tried talking to him one-on-one?”
Lizzie couldn’t believe that Andrea was more concerned over her father’s reaction than the videos themselves. “He won’t speak to me.”
“That’s a shame, that he’d let something like this come between himself and someone he loves. I can’t imagine how hurt you must be.” She embraced Lizzie, and then a smile formed on her lips. “Don’t you worry, honey. Love is stronger than pride. Of that I am one hundred percent certain. Your father is probably having a little crisis of his own over this that has very little to do with you. Once your father realizes that this isn’t about him, he’ll come around.”
“I’m not sure I understand.”
“As parents, it’s very difficult not to evaluate everything your children do and wonder what other people will think or how it will reflect on you as the parent. That could be what your father is experiencing.”
“My father had a hard time with me posting scantily clad pictures at first,” Susan said. “He came around, though, so I’m sure yours will, too.”
“Really? That makes me feel a little better.”
“Give him time, honey,” Andrea said. “Stripping ourselves of our egos is a difficult thing to do.”
“Who’s stripping what?” Blue asked as he stepped out on the porch with his father and brothers in tow.
As Blue reached for Lizzie’s hand, she felt even more accepted and loved. No one would ever fill the space her father held, but between Blue’s love and the support of the others, she didn’t feel nearly as devastated as she had when she’d left her parents’ house.
“Miss me?” Blue whispered against her ear.
“How could I?” She already felt like part of his family’s inner circle. “I love you so much, even when you’re not here, you’re still with me.”
Chapter Thirty-One
LATER THAT EVENING, in Blue’s childhood bedroom, Lizzie lay across the bed in a pair of lacy panties and one of Blue’s tank tops, which hung off her shoulder, with her laptop open, moonlight streaming through the curtains.
“Aren’t you tired?” Blue lay beside her in his boxer briefs and rubbed his hand over her thigh.
“Yeah, but the show airs tomorrow. I have to finish editing it.”
He wrapped his arm around her and kissed her shoulder. “How about if you do it in the morning before we head back to the Cape?”
“I can’t take a chance of not getting it done.” She tilted her head, looking way too sexy for her own good. “That meeting with the network just drove home the reality that I have to keep doing this—only I am going to show them. I’ll find a way to make the ratings even better.”
“I know you will. I’m sorry that the meeting didn’t turn out the way we’d hoped, but, Lizzie, I’m not going anywhere. I’m here to stay.”
“I know. I just didn’t realize how much I was counting on having more time with you and having a more normal life. I had visions of us spending nights out at your cottage and not worrying about taping, editing, and tracking views to a show that has already sucked up so many hours of my life.”
The sadness in her voice cut through Blue’s chest. He slid his hand beneath the back of her shirt, over her warm skin, and shifted his thigh over the back of hers, wanting to be closer, to comfort her.
“My favorite person in the world told me that two years was nothing. That it would pass by quickly. I wasn’t so sure, but I realize now that as long as we’re together we can get through anything. Two years, two decades. A lifetime.” He brought his lips to her spine and kissed his way up to her neck as she tried to concentrate on editing the video.
She closed her eyes for a second, and he felt tension seep from her body.
“You’re not making it easy for me to edit,” she said breathlessly.
“It’s not my fault you get me hot and bothered.” He shifted closer.
She giggled. “I need to get this done.”
“Okay,” he whispered against her neck, loving her so much that his chest physically ached.
“You edit, and I’ll just…” He slid his hands along her soft body. She sighed as he kissed her shoulder.
“Blue…” She craned her neck to the side, giving his mouth better access to nip at her warm skin. “I’ll never get this done.” A sweet sound of surrender slipped from her lips as she rolled onto her back, smiling up at him. “You’re distracting me.”
“That’s the point.”
“But…the video.” She wound her arms around his neck.
“I’ll help you edit after I love your body like it deserves to be loved.” He pressed his lips to hers.
“But your parents,” she whispered.
“I don’t think they want to edit your video,” he teased as he moved down her body, kissing as he went. “But I can go ask them if you want.”
“Blue.” A wanting whisper.
She sighed dreamily as he slowly undressed them both. As their bodies came together, and the world went dark, until there was only him and Lizzie.
After, as they came down from the clouds, “Love you” was all he could manage. Only it wasn’t. He’d make darn sure that he fulfilled his promise and edited the video if it took the last of his energy. Seeing Lizzie with his family, watching her beautiful smile as she laughed and joked with them, and her confidence as she talked about her webcast with each of them, answering their questions and soaking in their support, had made him love her even more. He’d never been more proud of anyone—of Lizzie’s determination and of his family’s unconditional support. His family tended to open their hearts along with their arms, and he wished Lizzie could have that with her own parents. Even though Lizzie took life by the horns and never let anything, or anyone, keep her down, Blue wasn’t done trying with her father. He’d make it his mission to set things straight so the woman he loved felt complete.
Blue’s thoughts turned to what his mother had said right before she’d gone up to bed, when she’d pulled him away from the others and asked, What stage are you in?
The very best one, he’d answered, knowing she was referring to the stages of love.
Not even close, she’d said. Time brings more happiness. One day you’ll look back and realize the two of you have history. That’s when it becomes magical.
He lay beside Lizzie, listening to her breathing settle. If this wasn’t the very best love could be, then sign him up for a lifetime of it, because he couldn’t imagine being happier than they already were.
Chapter Thirty-Two
AFTER THEY RETURNED from New York, real life came back in earnest. Orders for a bridal shower and a wedding came in on short notice, and Lizzie would be busy for the next few weeks meeting with the bride and groom. She’d reluctantly fallen back into the routine for the Naked Baker, and that bothered her. She hadn’t been reluctant before. Even if she hadn’t necessarily wanted to spend her evenings filming, editing, and analyzing the show, she’d always gone in willingly. She knew that was because there’d never been an inkling of a way out from under the show while still making enough money to help Maddy. But the network’s email had changed that. She’d dared to hope for more of a life with Blue, for evenings spent doing whatever they felt like doing rather than structured by her webcast schedule.
The bright light to the whole situation was that, true to his word, Blue had been amazingly supportive of her efforts with the show and supportive of her in every other way as well. They’d been staying at her place, and she felt him everywhere. His clothes were in her closet and in two of the dresser drawers. His toiletries were in her bathroom, and he’d hung a hook on the wall by the kitchen door for their keys. It felt like they’d always been together, but even stronger than his tangible possessions, his love filled every nook and cranny of her life. It was in the air she breathed and in the look in his eyes. And when he wasn’t with her, his love remained.
Blue was up early every morning, which she loved, because they got ready for work together, making love in the shower, dressing and teasing each other—sometimes leaving late for work because they couldn’t resist falling back into each other’s arms. Blue had taken to coming by the shop every afternoon, bringing her lunch or coffee, or jus
t coming by to check on her. She loved that he made the time to do that, but then again, that was Blue. He gave and gave and gave. He even offered to work with Duke to see if they could drum up interest with another prospective buyer for the business, but Lizzie had had enough. She didn’t want to hope to find a way out from under the webcast anymore. It was easier to accept her fate and move forward, even if it was taking her a little longer to accept it than she’d hoped.
The only dark cloud in her life was her relationship with her stubborn father. She’d called him several times, and still he wouldn’t come to the phone. She’d even taken an hour off yesterday and stopped by the inn, hoping to speak with him, but he’d refused to see her. Her mother had said he was meeting with someone, which she assumed was an excuse. How was she supposed to handle the fact that her mother was covering for him?
She was sure that asking her mother to tell her father that she was about ready to give up trying hadn’t been the best way to handle it, but she’d been at such a loss, had felt so devastated by his refusal to see her, that she was at her wit’s end with the whole situation. There was only so much denial a person could take before they broke down or walked away. And there was no way she was letting his conservative views mess up things for Maddy or for her. She had an incredible man who adored her and friends and family—aside from her father—who accepted and supported her. This was his loss.
If only it didn’t hurt so bad.
It was true what people said about going through difficult times together and how struggles could bring people closer together. For her and Blue, that was definitely true. She’d never felt so loved, cherished, or supported.
It was Thursday night. She’d texted Blue earlier to tell him that she was taking the flowers to the cemetery and then she’d meet him at home. She packed up the flowers and walked out to her car thinking about the show she had to tape tonight. Maybe she’d go a little crazy and make a cake shaped like butt cheeks. Her mind shifted back to Blue—he was never far from it. She shivered with memories of crossing off the mile-high club from her Naughty-Places list on the way back from New York. She’d never imagined the bathrooms on airplanes were so small, but that had made it all the more fun when they’d snuck in together.
