Thirty-Eight Days by Len Webster Page B

it.
    Noel.
    His name caused her heart to constrict with pain. Why was she thinking of Noel? Not now, not with Liam so close to kissing her. His name had echoed through her thoughts, distracting her from Liam and the moment. Remembering Noel’s tormented eyes had her heart clenching.
    "Clara?" Liam asked, his eyes wide with fear. She must have looked terrified, because she felt it. Her plan for him to kiss her had to be put on hold. She needed an escape route. She couldn't kiss Liam with Noel on her mind. It would taint the moment.
    "I need to finish these cupcakes.” Clara smiled. It would leave Liam frustrated, but she needed space. Clara was surprised not to see a single ounce of irritation on his face.
    "Let’s bake! But I get the first cupcake. I only come here on Wednesdays to see you; these cakes are just a bonus," Liam revealed to her.
    "I know you're here just for the cupcakes," Clara replied, rolling her eyes.
    "Sweetheart, I'm onlyever here for your cakes." He winked. Clara let a laugh slip.
    "Tell yourself that." She nudged him after she controlled her laughter.
    "Clara, your laugh does wonders to me."
    Liam tightened his grasps on her waist as he lifted her and held her suspended in the air for a moment before lowering her down to the ground. It was one of those movie moments that made her heart melt a little. The wall she had built started to chisel away at the hands of Liam. It was either very dangerous for her heart, or something liberating. She didn't know which.
    "You should stop with the overgenerous comments," she said frankly.
    "Never, Clara. Never will I ever," Liam replied with much determination in his eyes.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

 
    T he smell of fresh-baked cupcakes filled the bakery. The aroma could intoxicate anyone who walked through those white-painted shop doors. The scent of sweet peaches and a hint of freshly brewed tea floated in the air.
    The fragrance in the air was homely and comforting; it was the only thing so predictable and consistent in Clara’s life. She knew that the smell would trigger old memories for her customers. The familiarity from the scent was like a grandmother cooking freshly baked goods on a Sunday afternoon.
    "Don't you dare run, Lawrence!" Stevie stood outside the bakery doors, pounding on the glass as she yelled. Clara put down the chair she was straightening and scooted it up against the small bistro table in front of her. The bakery was almost ready for business, so Clara walked to the door and unlocked it before Stevie broke her way in.
    "Good morning to you, too, Stevie." The bitterness in Clara’s voice was evident. Stevie was interrupting Clara’s baking and alone time with Liam. He watched her as she prepared the cupcakes the shop would sell during the day. Liam never seemed bored, but rather intrigued by the way she baked.
    Looking up, Clara saw Stevie in a pair of tight black jeans, black studded heel boots, and a white tank. Stevie was the blonde bombshell on campus, strikingly beautiful, and with a personality that would make only the bravest of men have a try. Stevie took off her aviator sunglasses and rested them on her head. Clara noticed Stevie’s handbag hanging off her arm, and the keys to her BMW in the palm of her hand.
    Clara felt inadequate in Stevie’s presence. She turned around to see Liam towards the back of the store, placing the chairs on the wooden floors.
    "Right, chai latte?" Stevie asked as she took out her phone and started to type.
    "No worries," Clara replied, heading round the counter, and started to get Stevie’s latte ready.
    "Oh, Annie should be here," Stevie pointed out as she popped her head up from her phone and looked at Clara.
    "Annie?"
    "Yeah, she said she would be here before me…" Stevie started to say as her phone vibrated for her attention.
    "Oh, that's her now; Lollipop Annie will be late . Looks like you can explain it all to me, then." Apparently Annie had her ditsy moments, so Stevie called