Before the clock struck three, I was already belted in my truck, hands wrapped around the steering wheel. I remembered Amelia saying that was the time she'd close, and the last thing I wanted to do was keep her waiting -- especially curious on what she had to tell me that was so important she couldn't through a text.

Was she alright?

Did she want to borderline me at the friendzone for storming off that way? Had she decided her jealous best friend -- as Gabe put it, was a better fit for her? The latter thought twisted my stomach in a gut wrenching way, I didn't care if the lad was her age or just a few years older, I wasn't going to let him twist her mind just because I was far from their age group.

Amelia...

I wondered how the first day of work went, even if I was still pissed, I did want to drop her off at work, give her the pep talk which I reckoned would calm her nervous hands. I wanted to see the adorable little lady sashay into the bakery with a bright smile. I found myself smiling just thinking of her. Dammit, what was the word for this? Whipped?

Cranking up the radio, I noted what Saffron asked me to get from my 'girlfriend's' bakery. I didn't bother correcting her, it was rather befitting for such a beautiful soul as Amelia. That was partially why I wanted to go a bit earlier. To catch a glimpse of her still working.

"Good Lord." A chuckle left my lips as I realized how putty I was becoming, combing my hands through my hair, I ruffled it in embarrassment. Even my little sister noticed how much effort I put into my attire today, dozing the outfit in the Armani Diamonds perfume before coming here.

Margret's Delight, the inscription was in view as I parked the truck. It was about twenty minutes until three, which meant, Amelia was most likely still on duty. Stretching out of my car, my eyes did a quick survey at the place. From the glass window I could see that it wasn't as busy, but customers still littered the place here and there. Though, I didn't see Amelia.

"Welcome to Margret's Delight!" Was the automatic greeted aimed in my direction as soon as I walked through the glass door. My eyes scanned around, a smile stretching as I saw my girl.

There she was, that big smile of hers suiting her perfectly as she wore it, attired in a pair of loose jeans which where covered with an apron. Amelia was attending to a customer, an old woman, she slouched as if to hear the woman better. It was until a guy drew my attention that I realized I was still standing in the middle, blatantly staring at her.

"Hey, aren't you the man that came last time? With Amelia." He said, turning to look at the oblivious girl then at me. I nodded, he recognized me, good. I didn't fancy being looked at as a creep. "Yeah, I am. Name's Everest. Everest Simon." He hummed, his smirk alluding the hint that he knew something. He extended his hand, "Preston. Nice to meet Amelia's not-yet boyfriend." I couldn't help but laugh.

"Sit, I take it you want her to be your waitress for today?" He led me to a table for two beside the window. "If it won't be a bother to her." "For you? I mean, I don't know her very much but I doubt that's even possible." With a wink, he walked over to the counter where Amelia was and in an instant, Amelia whipped around so fast I feared for her neck. I saw her lips part in a gasp and the sound of the pitter patter of her feet grew louder as she neared me.

"Everest! You're early!" She was grinning, it made me feel lighter. "Yeah, I am." I watched as she nervously played with her fingers, "Welcome to Margret's Delight, what can I get for you good sir?" Ah, I see. That was what they were meant to greet customers and seeing as I sat on the wooden furniture, I was one. So, I played along.

"Well pretty lady, I want a chocolate fudge cake with a banana loaf bread, please." She puffed her cheeks, blushing.

"Sir, you're not allowed to flirt with the waitress." I smirked, leaning in. "Well, I wasn't flirting. Just stating facts." Amelia giggled, throwing her head back. "You're so sly." She cheesed, telling me she'd pack up the order and come out since I was her last customer of the day.

It took a few minutes before I saw her come back, this time, without the apron. She held the order, saying goodbye to the boy I'd met earlier -- Preston.

"I'll take that." I did, pushing the door of the bakery open before she could get to it. I entered the truck after dropping the pastries Saffron asked for. I didn't want to drive her home just yet, so I parked a few meters away from the bakery, bringing it to a stop.

"So, sweetheart, how was your first day?" She perked up.

"Oh, it was lovely! The staffs are so nice and understanding. Although it was a bit bumpy at first, I think I got a hang of it! I'm so excited!" Amelia more than squealed, putting her hands together as she stared my way. Right, I did say I was going to hug her. "Come here." She stopped, her eyes going wide when I opened my arms.

"Give me a hug." Amelia bit her lip, as if to stop herself from smiling. Unbuckling her belt, she climbed the barrier before getting to the drivers seat which I'd reclined. It was such a compromising position, I had to rid my mind off the thought of getting anything other than a hug.

Amelia straddled me. Her hands snuggling my sides, her head laid on my chest. I wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her closer. This little lady had such a calming scent. Even if her hair tickled my nose, I didn't want to move away. I liked this, our closeness, the way she cuddled into me, everything.

"You did a good job today, baby." Amelia whined, wiggling her body. Did I overdo it with the hug?

When she looked up, I almost awed. Her doe eyes stared at me, then trailed to my lips before she looked away. Those actions made me chuckle, what was roaming in her pretty head? I had a few guesses. "Thanks, Evie." She blushed, resting her forehead on my chest.

We stayed like that for a minute or two before she carefully climbed back to the passenger's seat. She was tensed now, I saw it in her movements. "Sweetheart?" She looked up, with an expression I couldn't quite catch, before forcing a smile.

"So, about what I wanted to say..."

"Yeah, what is it?"

Amelia hesitated, her lips parting before a sigh heaved out. Now I was tensed. Was it so hard to say? I tried inching closer but she shifted, her eyebrows furrowed. I didn't like that. "It's uh...that day Darrick came by. After you left..." She began, deciding not to touch her, I moved back as well, listening to her every word.

"Darrick and I...we...we kissed."

I didn't want to react, but my jaw clenched on it's own. So did my fist. There was only one question I had to ask. "Did you want to kiss him?" I watched her with a heavy heart, the way her pouty lips frowned, the way her eyes wandered.

"Not at first, but...but he said it was only going to be once and I just wanted to do it...for him."

"What?" The bitterness in my voice could not be helped. "What do you mean for him?" Amelia was nervous, anxious if you may. But I didn't have the patience, I needed to know what exactly happened. "Everest, you have to believe me, I didn't want to kiss him." My heart ached. "Then what?"

"He...he said he wanted to kiss me, and it would only happen once. I didn't want to, but Everest, he's my best friend. I know he really cares about me and I just thought to do as he says because...because he wanted to and just kept leaning in." I scoffed. What the fuck?

It sounded to me that she was emotionally blackmailed into kissing him. Best friend? So what if they have been friends for ten bloody years? Did he hang that at the top of her head to coarse her into doing so? My hand tugged harshly on my hair, not finding the words to say.

"Everest, don't be mad, please say something."

"Don't be mad? Of course I'm fucking pissed Amelia. That guy guilt tripped you into kissing him!" She flinched. "You kissed him because he wanted you to kiss him? Because he kept leaning in? Because he's your bestfriend? Is that it? Dammit, Amelia." This wasn't her fault, I knew that much. "Those excuses sound awful to my ears, so yeah, pardon me if I'm a bit angry." I huffed.

Getting angry wasn't going to do anything, but I couldn't help it. "I'm sorry..."

"Don't be sorry!"

You're scaring her Everest. I sighed. Crap, this wasn't good. "It wasn't your fault, Amelia." I whispered into my palm, letting silence feel the truck. "Don't be mad at Darrick." What? "We can all be a little selfish sometimes, so please don't be mad at him!" Ah, shit, this little lady was doing my head in.

I shifted close to her, my hand taking her jaw and pulling her closer. Her eyes went wide, but she didn't stop me. "So, if one of your male friends say they want to be a little selfish and kiss you, you'd let him? Regardless of your feelings?" Her eyes teared up, "Amelia, what he did was wrong, best friend or not. So please don't defend him."

Amelia sniffed, a tear sliding down her cheeks, dammit. Was I too harsh? "I'm sorry." She said again, sobbing. My heart broke, so did the anger I was feeling. "Amelia, baby..." I wiped her tears, taking her in my arms in one swift move, she was straddling me again, sobbing into my chest.

"I knew it was wrong, I didn't just want to disappoint him and say no..." Amelia admitted, her shoulders heaving. "So, it's partially my fault too."

I hugged her tighter. "Listen to me." I took her chin in my cupped hand. "If you don't want to do anything with anybody, no matter who they are, dammit, even me Amelia. Don't. Whether it's a disappointment to them or not, do strictly what you want." She pouted.

"Do I make myself clear?"

Amelia nodded, her eyes big. Her breath began shallow, she hugged me tighter. "Okay, I promise Evie." Good, at least she got that now. "I'll hold you to that, baby." I snuggled my head into her neck, my breath fanning the flesh. The girl hummed, "Evie...?" When I hummed, it vibrated on her neck.

"Could you give me little pecks?" I arched my brows in question, she blushed, looking away. "On my neck..." Oh. This little lady was certainly doing my head in. Her wish was my command. Snuggling my head in again, I kissed the soft flesh, right from the side of her ear until the crook of her neck. How could I stay mad?

If anything, it wasn't her that was the issue. It was that best friend of hers; I had a bone to pick with him.