Thirty-Eight Days

by Len Webster

  I should have been there!

  Looking around the apartment for something to break, he came up with nothing. Everything that Clara owned looked of sentimental value, and he couldn’t bring himself to break a frame or a vase. He could go for a run, but Clara could come home, and that meant he wouldn’t be able to speak to her. She would lock herself in her room, taking away his chance of reconciliation.

  A knock had Noel walking to the front door. He held the door handle and took a deep breath, trying to control the frustrating emotions that billowed inside. Opening the door, a woman in a red and white polka dot dress looked at him. Her eyes were wide in surprise before she composed herself and smiled at Noel.

  “Hi,” Noel said as he watched her wrap a lock of long blonde hair around her finger.

  “Oh... umm, hello!” the bubbly yet uncertain female said. She peered past Noel’s body and into the apartment. “Is, umm, Clara home?” Her name drew him like a beacon breaking through thick sea fog.

  “No, I’m sorry. She isn’t here at the moment,” Noel replied.

  “Oh,” was all she said before she frowned. The girl seemed disappointed in his reply. Noel stood there observing her as she continued to nervously twirl her hair.

  “Do you mind telling her I stopped by?” she asked sweetly.

  “Sure, umm, who are you?” Noel asked curiously.

  “I’m Annie. And you?”

  “Noel.”

  “Right, Noel, just Noel. Who exactly are you? Oh, not to be rude, of course.”

  “I’m Alex’s best friend. I’m staying at Clara’s till he comes back.” There was silence.

  “Oh, I get it now!” Annie exclaimed as she released her lock of hair from between her fingers.

  Get what?

  “Uhhh…” He trailed off, unsure of what to say or what Annie meant.

  “Oh, I’m sorry, just thinking. Now, I understand why she flaked out on us yesterday. She’s been busy with you! You guys aren’t… umm… sleep—”

  “We aren’t sleeping together!” Noel blurted out, stopping Annie. Her cheeks turned a vibrant red colour.

  “Oh, no sorry, I’m really sorry! It’s none of my business. I shouldn’t have made assumptions. Clara texted us to cancel coming to the party she organised, and well, if she wasn’t with you then what happened?” Annie sighed.

  “Wait! It’s Wednesday!”

  “Wednesday?” Noel tilted his head at her.

  “Geez, how did I forget? It’s Wednesday! Clara works at the bakery all day on Wednesdays!”

  She’s at work. How could I forget?

  “Annie, last night with Clara, that was all my fault. I said some things to her and I made her cry and she well, yeah,” Noel breathed out, feeling like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

  “Wait a minute! Clara... cried?” Concern was obvious in Annie’s tone.

  “Uh-huh. I didn’t mean to, I just let loose and well I, uhh, messed up big time!” he confessed, placing his hand on the doorframe and letting out a heavy sigh.

  “Oh, I see.”

  “You do?” Noel asked, surprised.

  Annie nodded. “Of course, I do. I like Clara. She’s my friend; she may not believe me, but I owe her a whole lot.”

  “I, uhh, don’t follow, Annie.”

  “Clara is a strong person; you may or may not know that her last boyfriend cheated on her…”

  I want to find the bastard!

  “Yeah, I heard about that. Actually, I only know the basics.”

  “Oh, well, I won’t go into detail. That’s for Clara to tell you when she’s ready.” She gave him a reassuring smile.

  “I don’t think she will, Annie. You weren’t there. I was 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.”

  The 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 playing a waiting game, and it was driving her insane. She watched as he stepped around her, his body close to hers. His breath touched her neck, causing her to shiver. Liam placed both his hands on her shoulders, holding her in place.

  “Liam, what are you doing?" Clara whispered.

  His hot breath touching the curve of her neck was driving her crazy, causing her head to spin. Liam removed his hands from her shoulders, and he used his left hand to swipe her hair over her shoulder.

  Is
he going to kiss—

  Her thoughts derailed once she felt him close to her ear, close enough to whisper. "Clara, you being so close is tempting, really tempting, but…"

  "B-but?" she stammered out.

  "You have some baking to do," he said softly, the seduction clear.

  She felt something come over her head. She looked down to see that Liam placed her apron over her. Her heart dropped a little. She had anticipated a lot; the idea of him kissing her caused a fire to burn through her. He held her hair and untangled it from the confines of the apron. Liam tugged the ties of the apron, tying the strings just tight around her.

  "There," he said satisfied.

  He’s such a tease! Two can play at that game.

  Clara smiled to herself. Facing Liam, his eyes filled with desire as she batted her lashes at him. She grabbed a tea towel from the bench, putting it closer to her. The look in his eyes made her a little breathless, and made her joints feel like jelly.

  "Thank you, but now it’s my turn," Clara said as alluring as she could. Liam smirked at her.

  She took a few steps back till her body felt the coldness of the bench. She jumped up, lowering herself on the cool top. She looked up, giving him her puppy dog eyes. Clara raised her hand signalling him to put his in hers. As Liam did so, she tugged his hand to bring him forward. He smiled at her, he had no clue what she was up to and it gave her a sense of control.

  "Liam."

  "I really like you like this, Clara," he breathed out heavily.

  Oh.

  "Like what?" She played clueless.

  "You really want me to say it, don't you?"

  She nodded. Liam was putty in her hands.

  "I like…" He paused as he took her other hand. She wasn’t sure whether this was intimate or in the heat of the moment.

  “I like you sat on this bench. It's sexy as hell. But… I like that you’re more open to me," he replied.

  She bit the inside of her cheek so she didn't smile like a fool. Clara let go of Liam's hands, took the tea towel, and ran it through his wet hair, startling him. As she dried his hair, she could feel his eyes on her. She liked this moment, where she could be so tender to him. Clara continued to dry his hair until it started to spike upwards, causing her to laugh.

  "Laughing suits you, Clara," Liam said as he looked down at her. The way he looked at her made Clara feel like the only girl in the world, but she shook the thought away.

  He stopped her in her tracks by gently grabbing her wrists; this time their eyes met with want. It was the moment to steal a kiss, a perfect opportunity, causing her to smile inside. She lowered her arms and caressed his cheeks with her fingers, causing him to let go of her wrist. He moved his hands to her waist, holding her in place, his touch returning the fire. Clara let go of the tea towel once she saw the desire in his eyes intensify.

  I can't want Liam like this, can I? I'd be one of those girls.

  "What are you doing, Clara?" he asked, barely a whisper. His breathing was rigid. She liked the effect she had over him.

  "Oh, nothing," Clara replied back in the same whispered tone as his. She continued to caress his face; he let out a soft groan, and she knew she had him. She gripped the bench harder with her left hand while her right stayed on Liam's face.

  He moved in closer, his nose close to touching hers. Liam's hands tightened on her waist. He was close, his lips almost grazing hers. Suddenly, guilt took a stab at her chest, a pain so new that Clara herself didn't understand 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 only ever 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.

  The 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 her Lollipop Annie.

  Clara handed the hot glass over to Stevie. She looked over to Liam, who was still sorting out the chairs and tables, his shirt tight around his body; she had him in her arms not too long ago. Now she was kicking herself for not acting on it.

  Liam turned and looked in her direction; he smiled his trademark smirk at her. Her cheeks automatically burned.

  Oh, crap!

  Clara quickly removed her gaze so Liam wouldn’t see her blush. When she looked up, Stevie was raising her eyebrow at her. Clara's eyes widened and Stevie turned her head to the right; her focus set on Liam's well-defin
ed back.

  "How long has he been standing there?” Stevie asked, her mouth falling open in awe. "Who is he?"

  Clara let out a defeated sigh. “That's Liam. He's my upstairs neighbour."

  "Your… neighbour?" Stevie asked, and Clara nodded.

  "Hmm, has Liam got a last name?"

  "O'Connor," he said, approaching them. "Liam O'Connor," he said, reaching out a hand to Stevie.

  "Stephanie Appleton," Stevie replied, shaking her hand with his. "But I go by Stevie. Stephanie Appleton is one terrible name." She laughed, and so did Liam.

  "You don't seem like a Stephanie. Stevie... hmm I like it!" Liam replied.

  Yup, I just lost out. They laughed. It was easy for them.

  "I better go check on the cupcakes. Be back in a few," she said, neither one of them replying to her.

  Clara stood in the warm kitchen. She was invisible. Stevie and Liam made a connection, far quicker than she and him had. Clara knew she'd lost out. It was Stevie; she was God’s gift to men.

  Walking over to the industrial size oven, Clara took out her second batch of cupcakes. They were ready, all one hundred of them. As she set them down to cool, she looked back at the entry. She would let them talk. She needed space from Liam, and this was her chance. It was a good sign, even if jealousy coursed through her veins.

  She picked up the icing bag and started to frost the first batch of cupcakes—ninety-nine of them, since she gave Liam one to try. Clara positioned the iced cupcakes on a tray and placed a small mint leaf on top of all of them. When she was satisfied with the presentation, she took in a deep breath and walked with the tray back to the counter.

  Clara's eyes set on the both of them as they laughed and smiled. She sighed a little, but ignored them. She approached the glass display shelves and placed the cupcakes on the top shelf. She smiled at herself. It was stupid, but it always made her grin when her cupcakes were finished and on show. That was her hard work, ready to sell and ready to please.

  She stood back up and smoothed out her serving apron—a separate apron worn on the shop floor. They were both staring at her like they shared a secret.