Where You Belong: Chapter 23

‘What’s all this for?’ Lucas asks.

I have three paper plates laid out on the breakroom table, each plate containing a slice of each cheesecake. Alexis and I both tried each other’s cakes yesterday after they cooled in the fridge for twenty-four hours. Hers was annoyingly delicious. I was watching as she baked and noticed that she uses ricotta cheese in hers, which is actually kind of brilliant.

“Alexis and I need you guys to settle a little bet we made,” I tell them as they shuffle into the room.

“First, you’re all smiles with this girl, which hasn’t happened in years. And now you’re baking together…” Marcus says. “You’ve got it bad, man.”

This is not news to me. Alexis is changing me, making me feel like there’s a possibility for me to have a second chance at a happy life. I’m not ready to admit those words to anybody else, though. I’ve barely admitted them to myself.

“Just try the fucking cheesecakes,” I snap at him.

He smiles like my reaction to him only confirmed his suspicions, which just pisses me off.

“I could go for some cheesecake,” Mia grabs her plate. ‘So, what’s the deal here? I just take a bite of each and tell you which one I like better?”

“Congratulations, Mia. Thanks for stating the obvious,” Lucas bites out sarcastically.

“Fuck off, Lucas. I just wanted to make sure we weren’t judging on certain categories or if it’s just overall taste.”

“Just tell me which one you like better,” I suggest.

Marcus takes a bite of mine first and chews slowly. I watch as Mia and Lucas do the same. They move on to the other cheesecake, Alexis’s, and I notice a visible delight on their faces.

Damnit!

“This one is really frickin’ good,” Lucas states as he points to her cheesecake with his fork.

“Which one are you talking about?” Mia leans over to see his plate. “Oh, yes! That one is definitely my favorite. It’s so light, and yet, I don’t know how to describe it…heavy at the same time. Does that even make sense?”

“Makes total fucking sense,” Marcus agrees as he devours the last of Alexis’ cake.

I sigh. Well, it looks like I’m eating at a restaurant of her choosing. I really wanted to do something special for her. What if she picks a horrible place? Do I tell her that or just keep my mouth shut?

“I’m guessing by your reaction that we didn’t pick your precious cheesecake.” Mia smiles as she takes another bite.

“Whatever. I don’t care about that part,” I lie, hating that my food isn’t the best.

“You suck at lying,” Lucas states. “So, what does Alexis get for winning?”

“She gets to choose where we go for a date this week,” I tell them.

“You’re going out on a date? Does that make you two official?” Mia asks curiously.

I don’t know what the hell we are. It’s confusing and unnerving, not knowing if we’re on the same page. I know I need to get it over with and ask her where her head’s at.

“Not sure.”

“So, how does it feel to lose to your girl?” Marcus smiles at me.

I shrug but think about the fun we had baking the cheesecakes. It was worth it. Who knew baking with a woman could be so fun? Alexis is so damn adventurous and reactive. It’s a shame she was made to feel anything but the sex goddess that she is.

On the other hand, there’s something so satisfying about being the only man to ever get her this way.

“What’s that face for?” Lucas asks.

“Nothing. I’m cool with losing. We had…fun making these together.”

“What the hell kind of fun are you referring to?” Marcus looks at me eagerly. ‘Dude, did you two fuck on these cheesecakes?”

“No, of course not,” I say, and they look relieved. “I mean…not on them.”

“Ugh, gross!” Lucas puts his plate down. “You guys had sex while baking these? Were they at least in the oven when that happened?”

I place my hands in my pockets and look at the ground.

“Disgusting! You two are animals!” Marcus states on his way to the garbage can, where he throws his remaining food in the trash.

“Seriously, you could have warned us.” Mia gives me an accusatory look.

“Well, would you have eaten them if I’d told you?” I defend.

It’s not the best argument, but it’s all I’ve got.

“Don’t ask stupid questions,” Marcus states. “No, we wouldn’t have eaten your sex cheesecake if we had known.”

“Well, at least Alexis won,” Lucas folds his arms across his chest.

I find the entire situation hilarious—I can’t help it. Only with Alexis in my life would I get myself into a situation like this. A fit of laughter escapes me as I think about the absurdity of the situation.

Eventually, the four of us are cracking up together. It feels good…it feels normal. Like it’s been ages since I’ve been able to be this way with them.

Mia has tears running down her cheeks and can barely get the words out as she says, “I… can’t… believe… you… did… that.”

When I pull into the driveway, I feel the familiar flutter of excitement in my stomach. I’m going to miss this when she leaves next week. Fuck, we really need to talk about what we’re doing here. There’s no way she would just pick up and leave us for good… would she?

I don’t mean she needs to continue to be Sienna’s nanny, but I would like her to stay in Cleveland. Maybe we can give this thing a shot.

“Hello,” I yell as I walk through the door.

When there’s no answer, I wander through the first floor but see no signs of the girls. As I begin to climb the stairs, I hear voices and giggles coming from Alexis’s room. I approach the bathroom, where I see the light glowing on the carpet.

When I peek inside, Alexis is standing between Sienna’s legs, who is sitting on the counter as she swipes a brush around Alexis’s face.

“Just like this?” Sienna asks in her sweet little voice.

“Just like that. It goes on the cheeks,” Alexis instructs.

I lean on the doorframe and cross my arms. “What’s going on in here?”

Sienna’s face beams with delight. “Hi, Daddy! Alex is letting me do her makeup.”

“I see that.” I laugh. “How did you trick her into letting you do this?”

Alexis smiles. “There was no tricking involved. Sienna said she’s never seen anyone do makeup. I told her she could watch me. One thing led to another, and here we are. Right, sweetheart?”

Sienna giggles as she dabs the brush in the powder and glides it across Alexis’s eyelid. My heart flutters as I watch the two of them, struck by how much they look like mother and daughter. It also reminds me of the things Sienna will miss out on because of Angie leaving… I never thought about something as trivial as watching your mother put on makeup.

It might not seem like a big deal, but those moments help you learn and grow. And here Alexis is, gladly willing to step in and show Sienna. Not even just show her; she’s letting her try it out on her.

It’s in this moment right now, I know for sure I’m in love with Alexis. How could I not be?

She’s everything.

She’s beautiful, smart, brave, kind-hearted, and she loves my daughter. It’s so evident in the way she is with her.

“What’s that look?” Alexis asks as she looks at me through the mirror.

“Huh?” I stand up straight, realizing I’ve been caught in my thoughts. “Oh, nothing. I was thinking about work.”

“How was your day? Stressful?” she asks.

“Well, there was one bad thing that happened.” I sigh.

“What is it?”

“My siblings ate our cheesecake…”

“Did something happen?” she asks with concern.

I laugh. “I’d say so. For one, they know we had some extra fun around our baked goods. They didn’t take to the idea so kindly.”

Alexis makes an audible gasp. “Oh my gosh. Gabriel! You told them?”

“Told them what?” Sienna looks between the two of us.

“Don’t worry about it, sweetie,” I smile at her, appreciating that she’s pretty good at understanding when it’s an adult conversation.

“And I didn’t tell them, they guessed.”

Alexis gives me a skeptical look. “Really? They guessed? They were sitting there eating the cheesecake and just knew what we did.”

“Okay, Miss Sarcastic. I may have alluded to it,” I admit to her as I rub my chin.

“Why on earth would you do that?” she says with a hint of anger to it.

Too bad I just find it adorable and not intimidating in the slightest.

“Not sure. I think it was when I lost the bet that I may have said something, then Marcus guessed it.”

A small smile crosses her face. “They liked my cheesecake better than yours?”

“Whatever. They were probably just hungry. It was lunchtime, they were ravenous. It doesn’t mean anything.’

She doesn’t gloat. She just stands in place with her smile intact while Sienna continues her process.

“Sweetie, I talked to Aunt Mia. She’s going to watch you tomorrow night,” I tell Sienna while watching Alexis’s reaction through the mirror and giving her a wink.

Her cheeks blush, and I wish I could take her in my arms and kiss her.