A Sweet Mess - Jayci Lee Page 0,101

apron. She lived in there and baked like she was making up for lost time. Her sweet buns were even better than Grandma’s.

“I love you, Mom.” It wasn’t the cookie butter euphoria talking. Her mom was an incredible woman, and Aubrey was so lucky to be her daughter. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

“Me, too.” Her mom’s eyes glittered. When a second, tentative knock sounded at the door, Linda smoothed out her apron again with a delicate sniff and opened the door.

“Oh.” The visitor sounded surprised. “I’m here to see Aubrey.”

“Um…” Her mom hesitated and glanced over her shoulder. “She’s indisposed at the moment.”

“Could you tell her it’s Aria? I really need to see her.”

Aubrey swallowed a mouthful of cookie butter without tasting it. Her mind’s screen saver lit up at the sound of Aria’s voice. I’m hopelessly in love with the pastry chef. She didn’t know what it meant, but it was a permanent installment in her brain museum. Do not ask me why I don’t understand those simple words. Just. Shut. Up.

“Aria?” She heaved herself out of the chair and nodded toward her mom. “It’s okay.”

Her mom stepped back to let their guest inside. Then Aubrey glanced at her six-month-old baby bump and snapped her head up to see Aria’s reaction. Even without her BUN IN THE OVEN T-shirt, there was no way of hiding her pregnancy.

“I kind of gained some weight.” That was probably the stupidest sentence that ever came out of her mouth.

Aria rolled her eyes and smiled. “Stop being ridiculous and give me a hug.”

“Oh, Aria.” Aubrey hugged her tightly. She’d missed her vivacious friend so much. “It’s so good to see you.”

“I missed you, too.” Aria squeezed her back, being careful not to crush Aubrey’s tummy. Stepping back, she placed a warm hand on Aubrey’s stomach. “How are you two doing?”

“We’re doing well. Really well.”

“Yes, you are.” Aria appraised Aubrey carefully. “You’re absolutely gorgeous.”

“I’m huge.”

“Please don’t get her started.” Her mom approached them with her hand outstretched. “Hi, I’m Linda, Aubrey’s mom.”

“I’m Aria. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Linda.”

After some niceties, her mom excused herself to give them privacy.

“I can see where you got your looks. Your mom’s beautiful.”

“Why are you here?” Aubrey blurted, her voice cracking with worry. “Is something wrong? Is he okay?”

“I wouldn’t go so far as to say he’s okay. He’s alive.” When Aubrey’s expression became overcast with worry, Aria reached out to hold her hand. “I’m here to chauffeur you to him. Even if it means I have to kidnap you.”

“Why didn’t Landon come himself?”

“He’s been assigned other important tasks. And I couldn’t trust him to drive safely with you in the car. He’s already a nervous wreck.” Aria raised an elegant brow at Aubrey. “Please don’t turn me into a pregnant-woman snatcher. Come with me?”

“Right now?”

“If you would be so kind.” She grasped Aubrey’s hands tightly, her eyes beseeching. “I’ll sing as many songs as you want on our drive.”

Her friend’s words drew a watery laugh from Aubrey even though she was shivering with nerves. Landon didn’t want her. But what about his column? He’d said he loved her. He’d announced it to the world. She wasn’t a secret anymore.

But why hadn’t he told her himself? Maybe the article was a calculated ploy on his part to protect his precious reputation. He hadn’t counted on her reading it.

Then why was Aria here to take her to him?

Okay, everyone shut up.

Aubrey blew out a long breath. It didn’t matter. She couldn’t go. He would know she was pregnant the moment he saw her. She couldn’t risk trapping him, and herself, into a loveless relationship.

“I can’t come with you. I don’t want to see him.”

“I know it’s hard, but please listen to what he has to say.” Aria pulled her into her arms again. “He loves you … and the baby.”

“He knows?” Blood pounded in her ears. He loves you. If that were true, he had a fucked-up way of showing it.

“He found your message in a bottle.”

Aubrey bit her lip and nodded for Aria to continue.

“He is so very happy, darling.”

“Is that why he wants to see me? Because of the baby?”

“Oh, Aubrey, no. He’d been looking for a way back to you long before he found out about the baby. He loves you.”

“That’s hard to believe.”

Her mind’s screen saver lit up with neon brightness. I’m hopelessly in love with the pastry chef. It was a stupid article he couldn’t have known she would read. But she had to