This place was everything I ever wanted in a job.

The ambience was warm, the aesthetic leaning more toward a conventional style with the wooden furniture and goodness! Margret was like a teddy bear! From the looks of it, she was in her early sixties, her white curly hair rested on the nape of her neck, cheeks plump like pair of apples!

I could count on only six staff in the bakery. Misan -- the jet black-haired girl at the counter, Ava and Blossom who worked in the kitchen where I was asked to bake an apple pie as my certification test, Preston and Hugh who attended to the customers with a big smile and Marget who they called Mrs M.

I couldn't help the smile that warmed my lips when she said I could start work tomorrow, how delightful! Everest waited for me at one of the customer's tables the whole time, ordering biscuit bread and a croissant. "Thanks, Mrs M! You won't regret it!" I assured with a grin. The old woman chuckled, nodding at me. "Aren't you a ray of sunshine?" She teased, wrinkles forming on her cheeks as she smiled.

Giggling at her words, I shrug my shoulders. I simply tried to spread the joy wherever I went. Abel had teased me about this once. I hope it didn't make her feel uncomfortable. Turning to check on Everest, I see that he's already looking my way, this surprised me. The pace of my heart quickened at the thought of being under his gaze.

Was I sweaty from being in the kitchen too long? I hope not...I mean, he said I looked beautiful today. Those words still replayed at the back of my head. Everest was a sweet man, the way he reassured me before we left his truck caused butterflies to assault my belly. We were so close...I can't believe I thought of leaning in!

Goodness! What was wrong with me?

I had only kissed once and that was in junior school. It was a dare and boy did I regret it.

Preston came up behind Mrs M, dusting his apron. "Nice to have you with us, Lia. Can I call you Lia? I think I'll call you Lia." I pursed my lips to hold the giggle, shrugging my shoulders. "You can. Nice to meet you too, Preston." He winked, looking behind me then at me. "You don't wanna keep your boyfriend waiting now." His assumption made my eyes widen, "Ah-" I breathed out a laugh. Did we look that way?

"He's just my friend." This time, it was Mrs M that hummed.

"Girl, if my friend looked at me the way he does, perhaps I'd have married him instead of my husband." Preston laughed, throwing his head back. "Don't let him hear you." She swatted his arm. "Back to work, young man."

The heat warmed my chest, my cheeks brightening as I tried not to smile. How did Everest look at me? Shuffling where I stood, I awkwardly waited for Preston to leave after his playful bicker with Mrs M. If I was to guess, I'd think they were related.

"So pretty girl, you can resume first thing tomorrow. Your shift would start at 10 and end by 3. You can always switch with one of the girls in the kitchen if you want to try your hands on the recipe." She explained, pushing up her thin rectangular glasses.

"Yes Ma'am."

"Well, you can get going now, I belive your friend has waited enough."

I blush as she emphasized on the word with a knowing smile. Everest was my friend, but, whenever she got close to me, my heart began to beat fast, tummy flipping as it did whenever I had a crush. It didn't do that when I was with Darrick, sure I felt warm, but never...giddy. So perhaps Everest was a bit more than a friend.

I know he said he liked me but...how could he? Everest was a man, a handsome, considerate man. He fought in the army for goodness sake! And here he was, having feelings for me. Ugh! I could barely wrap my head around why he stared at me in such a manner as he was doing now. My heart ached in happiness.

Wait, he was staring at me now?

"Sweetheart, are you done?" I realized he was standing in front of me, hands cupped on my waist as if to guard me from falling over my own feet. Sweetheart. I loved when he called me that, I felt...like I was close to his heart. "Uh...yeah. I, I got the job!" I grinned, coming back from my thoughts. Everest gave a proud smile, his thumb circling my waist. "I knew you would."

"So, you'll resume tomorrow?"

He asked while leading me towards the car. When his hand left my waist to push open the door, I missed the warmth his contact had on my side. "Yep. I can't wait. They all seem so welcoming!" He chuckled, I was growing accustomed to his chuckle. Admittedly doing silly faces just so I could hear that sound from him.

"I'm glad you think so."

Before he could open the passenger side of the truck, I pulled on his shirt. Was he helping me because of the feelings he had? Either way, I was happy with it. Everest hummed, turning back to face me. I didn't realize how close he was until he turned, his head arched down to stare at me. Staring into his eyes, I curl my lips and begin nibbling on them.

There it was again. The nudge to lean in and leave at least a peck on his lips.

What was up with me? Was this normal?

"Are we doing a telepathy thing right now?" He asked with a smirk, his breath fanning my nose. His words as always made me giggle. I didn't want to move away from him, I liked how close we were. It made me feel safe.

"Thank you."

"You don't have to thank me, baby. I wanted to do this."

The endearment made my head swirl, trying to contain the giddiness I felt, I looked away from him. "You just called me baby." Wasn't that what couples called themselves? "And?" He hummed, turning my head to look at him.

"I like it."

Everest breathed out a laugh. "I'll keep that in mind. Let's get you back home." Trying to conceal my disappointment as he stepped away, I nodded, entered the truck and buckled up. I wondered how Papa was going to react when I told him about my new job, it was all he asked for. I knew Abel wouldn't be so stoked, but I had a feeling I'd like this job and Abel would see that.

Buckling the belt over my chest, I tap my foot eagerly as he began to move the car. What Mrs M said was still fresh in my mind. So we looked like a couple? I hadn't thought about it much but I wouldn't mind being his girlfriend. I mean, argh! What was in my head?! Everest was a charming man, he was a man...my days, he was way older than my elder brother. How would Abel feel when he realized I was staring to have feelings for someone his age? I didn't mind it, but people would think it weird, right? Especially Darrick. He had a thing against Everest and I hardly knew why.

"You're in your head, sweetheart." I jerked out of my thoughts when I felt his palm graze my laps. It brought tingles to my shoulders, and left it's mark as it went down my spine. His hand was huge, I had to curl my fingers so as not to trace the veins that webbed the back of his palm. I liked the warmth the contact created. "Oh, I...I'm sorry." I didn't mean to be rude, I just got lost in thoughts.

His lips turned in a frown, oh no. Did I do something wrong?

"You don't have to apologize, okay? I was just asking." Right, he did tell me not to apologize so much. Nibbling on my lips, I nodded at his words. What did he see in me? Didn't he think me to be childish? Besides, I wasn't like those models you found on a magazine or online. With his physique, he could sure bag a handful of them! Staring at my chocolate brown skin, I wondered what he thought of it.

"You're pretty." I looked up, realizing what I had said. Amelia! Heat rushed to my cheeks. Everest chuckled, the sound making my tummy tingle. "I am?" He teased with a smirk. Wait, pretty wasn't used for people like him, right? "I mean, handsome..."

I watched as he turned into my neighborhood, a thumb rubbing circles over my thigh. I was beginning to get used to this. "I'll take whichever you give me, baby." There it was again, that endearment. If I didn't have so much melanin, I'd be competing with a cherry tomato right now.

"We're here." Still hot in the face, I nodded, fumbling with the handle of the car. When I looked up, I stopped.

"Darrick!"

My excitement died down when I saw the scowl expression on his face as he observed the car that I was in. He didn't look happy, or even irritated, no...

He looked angry.