Cookies and Confessions
942 Words
The last customer had just left, leaving behind the comforting scent of cinnamon and freshly ground coffee. Nadia hummed happily as she wiped down the counter, the day's stress melting away with each swipe of the damp cloth. Mondays are always hectic. People going back to work need coffee for their bodies to function.
Just as she was about to flip the "Closed" sign, the bakery door swung open with a chime.
A familiar face filled the doorway, making Nadia smile. Liam stood there, a hint of nervousness coloring his usual easy confidence. Nadia met him yesterday but she has already eased up to him.
He shuffled his feet slightly, avoiding her gaze at first. "Hey, Nadia," he mumbled, scratching the back of his head.
"Liam? This is unexpected."
Liam rubbed the back of his neck, his gaze darting around the room before landing back on Nadia. A faint blush crept up his cheeks.
"This might sound weird..."Nadia hesitated, then blurted out, "How'd you get my address?"
"Your address? Honestly, Nadia, I just used Google Maps," he teased.
Nadia groaned and scrubbed a hand over her face. "Elina," she muttered. "Of course, it was Elina."
Nadia narrowed her eyes. "Spilling secrets already, huh? What did she tell you?"
Liam lifted his head, his blue eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief. "Just that you're the best baker in town, and that your chocolate chip cookies are life-changing."
Nadia couldn't help but laugh. Elina's enthusiasm for her baking knew no bounds. "Well, you can tell her I appreciate the compliment. Though, I'm not sure I'd go so far as life-changing."
Liam grinned. "Let me be the judge of that." He gestured around the shop. "The place smells amazing. Are you just closing up?"
"Almost," Nadia replied. "Unless... were you looking for a post-party sugar rush?"
Liam's smile widened. "Maybe a little," he admitted. "I wouldn't mind grabbing a couple of those life-changing cookies and..." he trailed off, his voice dropping to a slightly lower register. "Maybe hearing a little more about your baking competition with Elina. If that story's true, I'm dying to know what kind of culinary masterpieces you've been whipping up."
Nadia's heart skipped a beat. Liam's interest, both in her baking and the enigmatic competition Elina had mentioned was a pleasant surprise. "Well, Liam," she said, leaning against the counter with a playful smile. "Maybe if you promise to keep it a secret, I might be persuaded to share a tale or two."
Liam held up his hands in mock surrender. "Secret's safe with me. Cross my heart and hope to... never run out of flour?"
Nadia laughed, the sound echoing through the bakery.
Nadia, busy wiping down the counter with a practiced flourish, glanced over at him. "So, Liam," she said, feigning nonchalance, "not a fan of the cookies, huh?"
Liam chuckled a warm sound that sent a shiver down Nadia's spine. "Oh, no," he protested, raising his hands defensively. "They're phenomenal. Truly 'life-changing' as Elina so eloquently put it."
Nadia's smile widened, the memory of Elina's drunken antics bringing a touch of amusement to the day's strange events. As she straightened a display of glistening croissants, she couldn't help but steal a glance at Liam. He seemed relaxed, and comfortable in the warm glow of the bakery, his gaze lingering on her a beat too long.
"Actually," Liam began, his voice slightly hesitant, "there's something I wanted to ask you."
Nadia met his gaze, her heart fluttering in her chest. The air crackled with unspoken possibilities. "Sure, Liam. What is it?" she asked, her voice a soft invitation.
Liam leaned forward, his elbows resting on the counter. "Would you, maybe... I mean, if you're not too busy..." he stammered, an endearing blush creeping up his neck.
Nadia felt a smile tugging at her lips. His nervousness was endearing, a stark contrast to his usual calm demeanor. "Take a deep breath, Liam," she teased gently. "Whatever it is, I'm sure I can handle it. Unless you are asking for my kidney. Because no way I am giving you that."
Liam took a deep breath, his eyes locking with hers. "Would you like to go on a date with me, Nadia?" he blurted out, his voice surprisingly firm despite the blush burning on his cheeks.
The question hung in the air, heavy with anticipation. Nadia's heart pounded a rapid rhythm against her ribs. Despite the unsettling events of the past few days, Liam's offer felt like a burst of sunshine, a welcome distraction.
A smile bloomed on Nadia's face, as genuine and warm as the cookies cooling on the rack. "I'd love to, Liam," she replied, her voice filled with a joy that had nothing to do with sugar.
"Wait really?" He sounded confused.
"Yes," Nadia replied.
"I don't know what to answer." This guy was quite peculiar.
"Maybe you can start by suggesting time and place." Nadia took the rein.
"Oh yes yes. Silly me. I was 99 percent sure you were going to reject me. Now that you have accepted, I have forgotten all my lines."
Nadia crossed her arms "You prepared dialogue?"
"Yeah" He blushed scratching her neck.
"So Elina has an exhibition tomorrow, we can go there unless you have a place in mind?" Nadia proposed. Elina is going to have a field day with this. She has been begging her to get in the dating game but Nadia was slacking.
"Yes, it's fine. I swear I am not as stupid as I look right now."
"No worries. I am the last person to judge."
"Anyways, I will come pick you up at 7 tomorrow?"
"Sure."
- Writer
