Thirty-Eight Days by Len Webster

bloody brutal!” Noel confided as he pushed off the doorframe and ran a hand through his short hair.
    “Trust me, if you made Clara cry, then it means she cares about you . She’ll come around,” Annie assured with a glee in her voice.
    “Thanks. You have no idea how much I needed someone to say that. I’ve had one hell of a morning.” Noel gave her a half-smile.
    She wrinkled her nose as she observed him. “Listen, Noel, you sound like you need a friend. Did you want to go get a quick coffee and talk? It might help you with things with Clara. What do you say?”
    “You’re willing to help me?” he asked, bewildered.
    Annie was silent for a moment, before she hummed. “Yeah, I am. I’m a believer in second chances in some situations. I really shouldn’t meddle, but she cried over you. And I want to help Clara move on from Darren.” Annie’s blue eyes shone brightly.
    “Sure.”
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

 

     
    T he Little Bakery had their famous peach-and-tea cupcakes on sale on Wednesdays. Ever since Clara came up with the cupcake, the business had boomed. She helped Danny, her thirty-five-year-old boss, make a name for the business.
    It was a recipe she openly shared, but since she created the famous little peach n teas, Danny insisted that she bake them; allowing him to focus on the other cupcakes the bakery sold .
    Clara placed the final mixing bowl on the bench. She now had twenty in total. She needed to make close to two hundred cupcakes for the morning service alone. It was a city favourite, and the fact that it was only sold on Wednesdays added to the hype. Clara didn’t mind. She liked the regulars coming in, watching them take their first bite. The look of pure pleasure and satisfaction sweeping across their faces was one she enjoyed. She glanced up after double counting the number of bowls. Liam stared at her with a sweet smile on his face.
    "What?" She grinned; she couldn't help it. His smile was doing things to her, and he didn't know it.
    "Nothing, it's just today when I saw you, you had the saddest eyes I’ve ever seen. Now look at you, Clara. You have the most infectious laugh. And your smile, it brightens up a room." 
    "Stop that, Liam!" She played it off as she took out some wooden spoons and placed them on the bench. Clara watched as a few drops of rain fell from his wet hair. The rain hadn't dampened his attractiveness, instead doing the complete opposite.
    Clara walked to the inventory cupboard and grabbed a few new tea towels and a new apron. She walked back to the bench and placed the tea towels next to the mixing bowls. Picking up the apron, Clara shook it out of its fold and looked at the clock.
    "Clara, stop," Liam instructed with a strong voice, causing her to instantly freeze in her place.
    He approached her, his hazel eyes smoky and beautiful. It was hypnotic to see the change in colour. Clara wanted to stare for a while longer, but she had to blink off her stare. Liam’s breathing hardened in her presence, and in turn she held her own breath, wondering why he was so close. Liam placed a hand on her shoulder, turning her slightly so they were facing. They didn't say a word as Clara waited for his next move. She let out the air she held and curiously waited.
    Liam placed his hands in both of hers. His touch was gentle and warm, sending a tingle down her spine. Her breathing hitched and started to become irregular. Neither one of them removed their gaze off each other; Liam’s hands left hers and the warmth she’d known no longer remained.
    It was then that she realised she was no longer holding her apron. Clara looked at her hands and saw that Liam held it. She shot him a confused look and watched as he gave her a wicked smirk, sending her emotions on a high. Clara's breathing heaved. Her heart started to pound in an unfamiliar beat. All it took was just one look, and Liam was sending her on an emotional roller coaster. One she liked and would ride again.
    Liam was