Saved by the Cross (Cross 3)

Doyle thought about Gray every waking moment and dreamed about him at night.

"Pay attention. You have your head in the clouds."

She looked at Mrs. Moran and then down at the bowl in front of her. There were more than two cups of flour. "Sorry."

"The kitchen is no place to lollygag. What's got you all distracted? Or should I ask who?"

"No one." She hadn't told anyone, but maybe she should. Her biggest fear was that someone might talk sense into her. "I'm waiting for the magazine."

"Don't let that bother you. Do you think Paris Hilton ever worried about what people thought?"

"Isn't she old?"

"Not old. You're still young so you think forty is old. Women have babies at forty."

Doyle shook her head. "I don't want to wait that long. I hope Ivy doesn't wait too long." She thought of Ana. Would Baxter be a wonderful dad like Monty?

"You have plenty of time. Your brother does too."

Doyle had remeasured the flour and forced her brain to concentrate. Later, she was meeting with Sofia to show her the photographs. Another thing to cloud up her mind was why she hadn't offered Gray to pick her up. Doyle rarely requested the use of a driver, but she had for her trip to Back Bay.

They were making apple tart, and she planned to bring one to Sofia. Mrs. Moran said pastry dough was one of the hardest things to master, but Doyle had created a flaky crust.

With her laptop, and a warm tart in a box, Doyle sat in the back of the car wishing Gray was driving. Her heart leapt at the possibility of seeing him.

Sofia greeted her as she held out the box. "I made this for you. It's a little taste of autumn."

"It smells delicious. I hope you gave some tips to your brother."

She shook her head. Kasper was off in LA filming a cooking challenge. Unlike his other shows, they didn't tape the show ahead. It aired shortly after it was filmed, so he could come home between tapings.

Sofia smiled. "I'm looking forward to watching him. Monty will watch too because it involves his passion, cooking."

Doyle laughed. "I think it's you and Ana. Where is she?"

"Sleeping. Monty had to travel today, so he's not here."

"Did he want to pick out photographs?"

"No, I meant Gray isn't here."

She tried not to look disappointed. "I think you'll love the photos."

"Neither of them say anything to me, but I'm not stupid. They are like brothers. Sometimes it's the three of us, but other times they are thick as thieves."

Doyle looked at her. "And most times, I'm guessing it's you and Monty with Gray on his own downstairs."

"Of course, but you like him, yes?"

Doyle nodded. "It's a problem."

"Why? He's not too old for you."

Doyle laughed. She had never even considered their age difference. "No, but my mother would never approve."

"Ah, yes. I don't mean to be mean, but Gray doesn't do long term. I wouldn't worry about your family, since it won't last. Enjoy yourself. You are young."

"Maybe you're right, but he keeps pushing back. Do you know we haven't exchanged phone numbers?"

"Men." She sighed loudly. "It was the opposite for us. Monty didn't care about his family. I knew my family would never trust him. Rosa hated him. She flipped out when she found out about us."