Baking Me Crazy (Donner Bakery, #1)(22)

Chapter 7





Levi





Connor and Sylvia were definitely not expecting me. When I burst through the door without knocking, she shrieked, burrowing her face in Connor's chest where they were tangled on the couch.

Everyone was dressed, so I ignored the dirty look he gave me.

"You need to fix this door," I said, hooking a thumb over my shoulder. My skin was tight and jittery, my mind racing and my heart thrashing in my chest. "It's why Joss can never come over. Her chair bumps on one side, and it's embarrassing for her."

My brother got up off his fiancée and sighed heavily. "Levi, can we talk about this later?"

"No," I yelled. "Do you ever wonder why she's only hanging out at my place? She can't just go anywhere she wants, Connor."

Sylvia's face was full of sympathy, and though my brother's was tight with annoyance, he grimaced when I finished my little rant.

"We'll replace the door soon, Levi," she said, setting an arm on my brother's back. "As soon as we get home from our honeymoon, okay?"

Jamming my hands in my hair, I paced into their kitchen, then opened the fridge and slammed it shut.

"What's up, little brother?"

The fridge was still empty of whatever the hell I was looking for when I opened the door again. I didn't even know what I was looking for.

"She's got date feelings."

My proclamation, which I spit out like it was coated in vinegar, was met with silence.

Turning toward them, I held my arms out. "She's got date feelings. For the first time ever. And they are definitely not aimed at me."

Sylvia punched a fist in the air. "I freaking knew it. I knew you liked her."

Connor shrugged when my face went blank with shock.

"She didn't know?" I asked incredulously.

He shook his head. "Didn't think it was my place to tell her."

She punched him in general area of his kidneys, and he yelped. "You knew? How long has he liked her?"

The dining room chair behind me made for a good resting place as I sat heavily in it. Connor was still rubbing at his side when understanding dawned in Sylvia's face.

"It's always been her, hasn't it?"

I rubbed at the back of my neck.

She clucked her tongue and crossed her arms over her chest. "And here I thought you escaped the curse. But you just did a good job of hiding it, you little sneak."

"I definitely didn't escape it."

Her eyes narrowed on her fiancée. "You've known the whole time?"

"Not the whole time," he hedged. Sylvia went to punch him again, but he blocked it. "Okay fine, yes, he told us, and we've known for about ninety percent of their friendship."

She gasped. "Seriously? Wait, who's us?"

"My parents," I answered since my kidneys were safe. "Honestly, Syl, I thought you knew because of how often you dropped really not-subtle clues."

"I wasn't trying to be subtle."

"No shit," I muttered.

Connor turned and pointed at her. "That's why I didn't tell you. If you knew he's been in love with her for five years, you would've been relentless, woman."

"Don't you 'woman' me," she warned, eyes turning glacial.

"Okay, we're getting off track," I interjected. "Everyone is caught up, I'm pathetic, and now I'm probably too late because she's having date feelings for her new physical therapist."

"Oh shit," Connor said.

Sylvia grimaced.

"Yeah." I rolled my neck until it popped a few times. "I managed to listen to her tell me about how he flirted with her the first time they met, and then she flirted back, and how she thinks she's awful at this."

"He flirted with a new client?" Sylvia hissed. "That's got to be some breach of ethical conduct. Let's report his ass."

"Calm down," I said. "They met at the bakery first. Neither of them realized she was his new client."

She deflated. "Oh."

Doing my best robot impression, I told them everything Joss told me. And at Sylvia's request, I told her about the moment I knew—how the moment she aimed that smile at me, I was a fucking goner.

Her hands were resting on her chest when I got to the end of my little story when Joss said she'd like to have a friend.

"Oh, Levi," she whispered. "For five years?"

"I know, it's ridiculous." I shook my head. "I'm ridiculous."

"No, you're not," she said. "Because you really do think of her as your best friend, don't you?"

"Of course I do," I answered instantly. "I wouldn't be able to fake a friendship this long."

Connor shifted on the couch and gave his fiancée a quick look. "Don't punch me again, but it's a little ridiculous."

"Thanks," I said.

"How do you figure?" Sylvia asked.

He turned so he was looking at her. "Imagine if, when we met, you had shot me down instead of agreeing to go out with me. I never asked you again. I never even hinted that I felt more for you than the passing interest that someone feels when they ask for a first date without knowing the person at all."