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Baker 6 Chapters 7-9

Hi everyone!! Here’s the next three chapters of Baker 6. Enjoy 🙂

7.

Melanie

What a day…

I’m so happy the day is over. Now I can relax and enjoy a little me time before starting a new day tomorrow. Being a boutique owner can be quite stressful, especially since I’m planning on opening another one in downtown soon.

As I pulled my four inch stilettos from my aching feet, I rested on the nearest armchair in my tiny living room. I looked at myself in the mirror above my fireplace and sighed. In my twenty-nine years on this earth, today has to be first day that I looked older than I should. My green eyes that usually look so bright and clear was looking tired and hazy; my beautiful porcelain skin looked in need of a good facial and my reddish brown hair was ultra-wavy but could use a straighter quick. I stood up and headed to the kitchen in need of a glass of wine. Any wine will do, considering all I had was white in my fridge.

The boutique was a mad house today, mainly because the weekend was approaching and women were coming in to find the hottest outfit to wear to the club or social function. I was so short staff that I had to end up on the cash register, something I do not normally do since I am the owner. How am I going to open another boutique when I can barely keep the one I have opened? Well, Parson’s Boutique has always been a dream of mine since high school, so I was going to do my best to keep it open and to expand if possible.

As I grabbed my wine, I went back into the living room and grabbed the TV remote. As soon as I was about to take a sip, my doorbell rang, causing me to spill a little onto the armchair.

“Great.” I hissed as I put the wine glass on the coffee table to go to the door.

As I looked through the peephole, I noticed Tamara’s brother Derrick was outside looking around the beige hallway before looking straight at the door.

I opened the door and smiled.

“Hey.” I said as I went up to him and planted a kiss on his lips.

Yes, Derrick and I are dating, even though no one knows about us. I think Tamara may be a little suspicious, but frankly I could care less. Tamara and I are friends, but we kind of butt heads a lot, which probably is not good considering that I am dating her brother.

“Hey yourself. How was your day?” Derrick asked as he walked into my apartment.

“Chaotic. I couldn’t believe the amount of women came in today. Not that I’m complaining, but you would have thought it was something going on this weekend.”

“Well, that must be good for you. I know business has been slow for you lately.”

“Yeah; I just wish I had the staff though.”

Derrick put an arm around me. I went into his embrace and put my head on his chest. Hearing his heartbeat was what made my day complete.

“Things will get better.” Derrick said as he kissed my forehead.

“I know. Did you talk to Tamara?”

“Yeah; she wants me to go to San Antonio to check on a client.”

“I never understood why you have to do things that Tamara obviously should be doing herself. You don’t work for her.”

“I know that, but she is my sister and I have to go there anyway to check on my company. So it’s not a big deal.”

“I understand that, but don’t you get tired of doing everything for your sister?”

“Mel, my sister and I are all we have. We have each other’s back so I would help her just like she’ll help me.”

I shook my head at the thought of Tamara having Derrick basically on a leash. If I didn’t know any better, it seemed as if Tamara wanted Derrick for herself.

“You’re not upset are you?”

“Why would I be? I mean no one even knows we’re a couple, right.”

Derrick put his head on the couch and closed his eyes. I know he hate talking about this subject, but I had to bring it up.

“I’m pretty sure Tamara knows.”

“She has her suspicions.”

“So why not announce it. What could possibly happen?”

“You know why Mel.”

Yes, I did know. And I know if we do come clean as a couple, our lives would never be the same.

“I won’t bring it up again.” I said as I looked up at him. He glanced at me as he wrapped his arm around me again.

“I know you want to, and I do too; but right now we have to stay quiet. You know we have to keep this thing under wraps.”

“We’ve been doing this for the past year now. Don’t you think we should try to do what we can to end this?”

“You know how this works Melanie. We have to have what we need to move forward. I’m doing what I can and you should too.”

“What if I don’t want to do this anymore? I mean I thought I was cut out for this, but…”

“And you are. You think I want to do this? There are too many people I care about involved in this situation, but we have to do what we can to control it before it gets out of hand. So for now, we have to go along with the program, so to speak.”

I know Derrick is right, but there’s a feeling in the pit of my stomach that is telling me otherwise. This is starting to become too dangerous for the both of us and I just don’t want it blow up in our faces.

“Besides, if the situation never perceived itself, we would never have gotten together.”

“I wouldn’t say that. I mean we’re both in the same social circle.”

“I know, but I’m glad things happened the way it did.” Derrick said as he gave me a kiss.

I smiled and snuggled back into Derrick’s embrace. I know what we are doing is wrong, but I’m definitely enjoying it for the time being.

8.

Trevor

After Gerald finished helping me with my boxes, he decided to leave, which left me the task of unpacking. Hopefully I won’t have to move again soon because this is physically draining.

“I need a break.” I said out loud as I went over into the kitchen to grab a beer, which is the only thing I have in my fridge.

As I opened the top, my mind started to race at a million miles per minute. The encounter I had with Camille today only complicated things as I pictured the way she looked and that sexy stare she gave me.

Now I’m really having second thoughts about getting married. Evidently I love Melissa; otherwise I wouldn’t have bought a ring and proposed to her. Could I possibly have feelings for one woman but be in love with another?

While pondering the thought, my doorbell began to ring. The noise took me by surprise because I wasn’t expecting anyone to come by. When I went up to the door and look though the peephole, my lips curved into a smile at the sight I seen outside. I opened the door and my fiancée, Melissa Peterson, was standing outside looking beautiful as ever.

“Wow, I didn’t expect you to get here until tomorrow.” I said as I gave her a hug.

“I know. I wanted to come down early. I missed you.”

“I missed you too. In fact, I was just thinking about you.”

“Oh really. Good thoughts I hope.” Melissa said as she closed the door and took off her jacket.

I looked at her and smiled. This woman could easily take my breath away with her exotic looks and beautiful body that I can touch and caress all night.

“Definitely good thoughts,” I said as went up to her and touched her cheek. Melissa looked up into my eyes and I knew instantly want she wanted.

Melissa dropped her bags on the floor while I put my arms around her. She wrapped her legs around my waist as we began to kiss passionately. This is one thing that I cannot deny and that’s the attraction we have for each other.

“How much did you miss me?” Melissa asked in a breathless tone.

“You’ll see.” I said as we ventured off into my bedroom.

Two hours later: and we were laying on my mattress standing at each other with hungry eyes. We definitely needed a break after our passionate lovemaking, but I could tell that we both wanted another go round.

“How much I missed that.” Melissa said as she snuggled up to me. I put my arms around her and smiled.

“Me too; I’m really am glad you’re here.”

“Well, I knew you needed me. Between moving and Rachel’s funeral, I figured I should be with you.”

“What did the office say when you left?”

“Nothing much. I just told them I had a death in the family.”

“Don’t you think it’s time to tell everyone about us? I no longer work for Preston-Wheeler.”

“I know, but we were having a relationship when you were. Since I am a supervisor, that will still look bad on me and I could lose my job. You know the policy there; if anyone gets involved with a past or present employee, they’re automatically fired.”

“I didn’t think about that. Well, let’s just say we can’t invite anyone to the wedding.”

Melissa smiled as she kissed my cheek.

“It doesn’t matter. As long as you show up to the wedding, I’m all smiles.”

“You think I wouldn’t?”

“I don’t know Trevor; you have been kind of hesitant lately about even mentioning the wedding.”

“A lot has been going on lately.”

“I didn’t mean it like that, it just that you kind of been acting a little strange even before you knew about Rachel’s death. It’s like you didn’t want to come back to Baker.”

Melissa was right; I really didn’t want to come back, especially since I would be seeing Camille more often. Even though Cam is my best friend and had been in contact with her since I moved to Dallas, just seeing her in person again made me think about what could have been if we did pursue a relationship.

I have to get off this topic quick.

“So I ran into Camille today and she mentioned about having a get-together at her place before the funeral. That way everyone can see each other and share our memories of Rachel before the actual funeral.”

“That will be good. That way I can meet everyone.”

As Melissa began to run her fingers down my chest, I began to wonder how the party will turn out. This will be the first time everyone will meet my fiancée, and given their personalities, the evening should be very interesting.

9.

Camille

Two days has passed since I decided to plan the get-together at my house. I figure since the funeral was the next day, I wanted everyone to be together and just share their memories of Rachel. The family wanted to have the wake and funeral on the same day, which was fine with everyone considering that we can all say our goodbyes in one day.

Being that Rachel loved parties, I wanted the get-together to be a celebration of her life and the accomplishments she made in such a short time. She wouldn’t want us feeling sad about her passing; so I figured everyone could bring something that was a favorite of hers as well as maybe go out and do something she enjoyed, which was karaoke. Personally, I hate karaoke, but in memory of my dear friend, I would set aside my feelings for one night.

As I was preparing one of Rachel’s favorite meals- gumbo- in the kitchen, Chad walked in and planted a kiss on my cheek.

“Wow that smells good.”

“Thanks sweetie.”

“So where everyone decided on doing tonight?”

“The Plaza for karaoke,”

Chad looked at me and started laughing.

“What’s so funny?”

“Remember the last time we all went out for karaoke? Everyone was drunk out of their minds. Especially you; I had to carry you out over my shoulder.”

“Well, you don’t have to worry this time. I think we will be on our best behavior.”

“Seriously, I think it’s good you’re doing this. I know Rachel would love it too.”

I smiled. “She would be the first one on the stage singing ‘I Love Rock & Roll’.”

“Yeah; she was something.”

“She was. I really miss her.”

Chad went up to me and put his arms around me. A tear rolled down my cheek. I still cannot believe she’s gone. She left us too soon, especially when her career was taking off so quickly.

Chad and I continued to hug each other when the doorbell started to chime. I let go of my husband’s embrace as I wiped away another tear. I regain my composure when I open the door to see Trevor standing on the other end with a woman I assumed was Melissa.

I have to admit, Melissa was definitely beautiful. She was the same height as me, with wavy jet black hair and piercing brown eyes. She also has great taste in fashion, as she was dressed in a multicolored print sleeveless maxi dress and gold tone sandals.

Trevor looked at me and Melissa and gave a small smile.

“Hey Trevor,” I said as I gave him a friendly hug.

Hugging him felt so good. A shiver ran down my spine as his strong arms were draped around me and his breath was creeping onto my neck. I know I shouldn’t be having any type of thoughts about my best friend while my husband and his fiancée were nearby, but I couldn’t help it.

Melissa looked at the two of us wondering when the hug was going to end.

“I’m sorry Melissa. Baby, this is my best friend Camille. Camille, this is Melissa.”

“Nice to meet you, Camille; Trevor has told me so much about you.” Melissa said as she extended her hand to me.

“Nice to meet you too; Trevor has mentioned a lot about you too.” I said as I accepted Melissa’s handshake.

Chad walked into the room and went up to Trevor for a brotherly hug. While Trevor was introducing Melissa to Chad, I went into the kitchen to check on the gumbo. Trevor walked in carrying a takeout platter, which I already knew was sushi from Rachel’s favorite restaurant Crave.

“Thanks for bringing the sushi.”

“No problem. I see you’re making your famous gumbo. Rachel loved it.”

“Thank my mom for that. I learned how to make it from her.”

“You need help with anything?”

“If you want, you can chop up some more peppers.”

Trevor smiled as he walked over to the sink to wash his hands. After drying them, he went to the counter to grab a knife. His shoulder brushed against mine as he began to cut away on the bell peppers.

“What Chad and Melissa doing?”

“Chad’s showing Melissa some photos of Rachel.”

“Okay. Melissa seems really nice.”

“Yeah, she’s great.”

I stopped stirring the pot as I put my cooking spoon down on the counter. I looked at Trevor as he continued to chop.

“Why her?”

Trevor put down the knife as he turned towards me.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I didn’t mean it like that. I was saying with all the women you’ve been with, what makes Melissa the one?”

Trevor went up to me and took my hands into his.

“It’s kind of complicated. When I first met Melissa, it wasn’t love at first sight; I mean she was my boss. But after spending a lot of time together and becoming friends, our feelings kind of grew. I love her, Camille.”

I smiled as I touched Trevor’s cheek. I know I shouldn’t be touchy with him, but I can’t help it.

“I guess that’s all that matters then.”

“Yeah, it does.”

As we were staring each other down, I felt someone walking into the kitchen. The person cleared his throat, causing me to jump while Trevor let go of my hands.

“Sorry to interrupt.” Gerald said as he put down a couple of bags onto the counter.

“There was nothing to interrupt. We were just talking.” Trevor said.

“Sure.” Gerald said while smiling.

He walked out leaving Trevor and I speechless.

I went back over to the pot of gumbo and began to stir again.

Trevor went over to me and took the spoon from my hand. He looked at me with those brown eyes that made me want to melt. I need to clear the air with my best friend while I still have the guts to.

“What is going on between us?”

“I’m trying to figure that out too.”

Trevor took his fingers and swept some hair from my forehead. Just his touch made me grow hot. I should not be feeling this way when my husband is in the other room, but I felt this way about Trevor since childhood. Why I never acted on my feelings I don’t know, but right now the only thing I want to do is feel his lips on mine.

“I don’t think we need to be doing this here. Not right now.” Trevor said as he started to back away from me.

“But when Trevor; you can’t deny that you have feelings for me just like I do for you.”

“That’s just it Camille. I’m not going to deny it, but I’m not going to act on it. You’re my best friend. We had been friends since we were in diapers. What if we did act on those feelings and ended it? Then our friendship would have ended as well.”

“You don’t know that.”

“No, I don’t; but I don’t want to know. Besides you’re married and I’m engaged. I’m not going to end my relationship and yours because we have feelings for each other.”

“So you’re saying that you wouldn’t want to be with me?”

“I didn’t say that; maybe if things were different between us.”

I started to look around the kitchen in a daze. I wanted to look anywhere expect at my best friend. What was I thinking? He’s right. I’m a married woman and I’m pining away at another man!

“Just forget we had this conversation.” I said as I turned off the stove and walked out of the kitchen. I had to get away from Trevor.

I walked past Chad and Melissa and headed straight to my bedroom.

“Camille.” Chad said as he started to go after me. Before he could get to the bedroom, I closed the door.

I couldn’t face anyone right now, especially after I made a fool out of myself. Trevor made his feelings known and that’s something I have to accept.

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