All Chapters of The Bucket List : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

I watched her silently as I took a sip of my drink. There was no trace of awkwardness left around us like there had been the first few seconds after they took a seat. Albany was at ease, and I couldn’t decide whether I should be happy about it or pissed that Thomas had managed to make her relax.She sat between the twins, listening intently to something Thomas was explaining. The drink in front of her was still untouched, and it didn’t look like she was in any hurry to finish it.There was something different about her, but I just couldn’t seem to place it. The Albany sitting across from me wasn’t the same girl I’d met months ago, and the one Crystal constantly talked about. In the photos she had taken with Crystal, she had been happy. The woman sitting across from me might seem happy, but there was sadness lingering in her dark eyes.Was it because Crystal was no longer around? I couldn’t imagine losing any of the men seated at the table.Crystal and I were friends too, not as close

Rubbing shaving cream between my hands, I applied it to my cheeks, chin, and neck before washing my hands and picking up my razor. I was almost done shaving when Thomas entered the bathroom.Without looking at me, he reached into the shower and opened the taps. He mumbled something under his breath when he realized that there were no clean towels.It was his turn to do the laundry, and I’d been nagging him all week to get started on it, but he always made excuses. Chucking, I washed the excess shaving cream from my face and grabbed my dirty shirt to dry my face.“I told you to do the washing.”“Shut up,” he grumbled. “Why are you up so early anyway? I thought you said that you didn’t have class today.”“I don’t,” I told him as I picked up the bottle of aftershave. “I have a date.”That got his attention. Storming over to me, he ripped the bottle from my hand and glared at me.“I knew this was going to happen. I should’ve dragged you home instead of letting you drive her home.”Grabbin

My eyes snapped open the moment I heard the door close. I was on my feet and hurrying to the front door even before Steven had placed his keys down.“Where the hell have you been?” I yelled. “I called and called, but you never answered. I left messages that you never returned. Answer me!”Steven frowned at me. Without answering, he pushed me aside and made his way into the kitchen. I was close on his heels, trying to control the anger that was burning through me.“Steven—”“You’re not my father, Thomas. I can stay out the whole night if I want to.”Gripping his arm, I spun him around and slammed him back against the wall. With my forearm pressed across his chest, I glared at him.“Where were you?” I asked him.“Thomas—”“Goddammit, Steven. We nearly lost our father three weeks ago. I don’t want the same to happen to you. Do you have any idea how worried I was?”He blinked at me. “This isn’t about Albany?”“No. This is about you not coming home and not calling me to let me know that yo

Albany’s apartment was nothing like I expected.It wasn’t big or spacious and not nearly as clean as her shop. My eyes darted over to the pile of clothes on the floor near her bed and then up to the unmade bed.My lips twitched, but I didn’t smile.Rubbing a finger across my bottom lip, I turned my head to look at Albany and instantly regretted it.From where I sat, I had a perfect view of her bent at the waist and searching through the bottom drawer of the wardrobe. She had changed into comfortable clothes when we arrived.Yoga pants and a sweater that had ridden up, so it meant that I had a perfect view of her ass. It was the best view I’d had in ages. A groan fell from my lips before I could stop it.Albany looked at me over her shoulder. “Are you okay?”I swallowed, and unable to find my voice, I only nodded at her and looked away. When I was sure that she wasn’t looking, I reached down to adjust my pants.My eyes darted around the apartment again, but they almost instantly traile

I had gotten too used to having Lee around, I realized the next morning as I tried to keep up with everything that needed to be done. I had to help the customers at the front and keep an eye on the cakes baking in the oven. Then there were a dozen cupcakes that needed to be decorated and made ready for pickup at one o’clock.There was so much that needed to be done.I smiled at the woman as I handed her the change and then the paper bag with the five muffins in it. Before I could slip into the kitchen, the next customer stepped forward and rattled off their order.There was no way I could keep up with my orders and help the customers.Not today. . . not any day.If I could manage a loan from the bank, then I could hire someone to help me out. But just the thought of having to teach them how to do everything all over again made me feel discouraged.I had no strength left for it, for anything. The bell above the door rang, making me bite back a groan.“Welcome to Albany’s Baked Goods. H