It always ends

twenty-nine

Harper

I was right, he would not leave me alone. Even though he was at the gym, I felt his presence. He invaded my thoughts constantly. Like an annoying little fly, only he wasn't annoying, nor was he a fly.

As if somehow, even now, he could read my mind, I felt his smirk. I sighed internally, heading out back to meet yet another truck. They unloaded two boxes of books and three more crates filled with food for the bakery. Ari and his friends helped me carry everything inside.

It was a beautiful Wednesday afternoon and I was quite excited, but extremely exhausted. In less than an hour, he was going to pick me up so we could go carpet shopping.

It's a thing only couples did, which was why it surprised me that he didn't even hesitate in agreeing to make it happen. It made me look desperate but I really wanted to spend some quality time with him. And even better, I had an excuse, he needed a new carpet. Though, knowing him, he probably didn't even care about that.

With everything now in the storage room, I rewarded them with strawberry and banana smoothies and bagel sandwiches. They grabbed a table and I got back to work.

I was about to prepare another apple pie when the doorbell chimed and he walked in. Stealing my attention right away.His eyes landed one me, a faint smile graced his lips. But it went away just as quick as it came as he spotted Henry, leaning by the counter, while he waited for his drink.

Ace glared at Henry, making me roll my eyes, he should know better than to be jealous. Then there was that familiar flutter in my chest. I stopped what I was doing, grabbed the plate with a little something I made for him and went over to the other side of the counter as he approached.

I wanted to laugh at how the atmosphere in the room darkened. People stopped talking, murmuring amongst each other. Stealing glances at him. He didn't seem bothered though, paying no mind to everyone else except me. I hid the plate behind my back to which he raised an eyebrow at me.

"Hello," he greeted, swallowing hard. A blush painted my cheeks while I watched the work of his jaw, and his throat. A smile broke out across my face, making his gaze soften. The small crease between his brows faded away.

"I made you something," I stated, holding the plate out towards him. I spent the whole morning baking pastries—as usual. But I made extras that weren't on today's menu. I'd gotten a little too carried away.

From cookies to cakes, to pies, they were all my specialties. I had gotten loads of positive reviews from customers online. I was even asked by an aspiring journalist if I wanted to be featured in her debut article.

And today, I made heart shaped thumbprint cookies, nothing too special but they looked delicious. It took a lot of work but I might add it to the menu. I had to admit, the first tray didn't exactly look quite right but these ones right here looked good.

His smile returned, as he stared at the plate. Carefully, he picked one up and bit into it while I watched him in anticipation.

His eyes lit up, "These are really good."

"Really?"

He nodded, "My new favourite."

"You're just saying that." The corner of his lips twitched and he just gave me a shrug in response. I shook my head and handed him the plate, "We can go soon. Is fifteen minutes okay?"

"Sure. I'll take a seat. Can I get a coffee?"

"Still black coffee?"

"Yes."

"Things really haven't changed," I said. He stared at me, dead in the eyes and suddenly I was sixteen again, falling for him. "But in the middle of the day?"