Darrick was here.

I was about to check why my phone buzzed -- I know phones weren't allowed during work hours but I really wanted to check because what if it was Everest?! I didn't though, because when Preston popped up, I shoved my phone back into my pocket with a nervous giggle. He told me someone was asking for me, which was weird, who knew me on this side of town?

My best friend did.

Honestly, I didn't know how to feel about him being here. Why did I have to face him so soon? Seeing how angry Evie was when I told him what happened, made me think it out. I was easily swayed by his request, goodness, I felt pretty darn stupid because of it. I hadn't even messaged him for so long because of that! How did he know I was working here?

Did Abel tell him?

Darrick sat at the table for two beside the window, he had his head down but I could still recognise him from his curls and honey skin. I didn't want to be angry at him, I acted on my own, but I was a bit uneasy about our kiss. Clearing my throat did the trick because his head snapped up, so fast it almost frightened me! I giggled, stepping back. "Hi-ya there!" I tried to play off with a smile, trying not to meet his eye.

This was awkward. What was I meant to do after kissing my best friend?

"Amelia...you're really here." He sounded out of breath, I wanted to meet his eyes, and feel his warm gaze, but I was too awkward for that now. "I heard you asked for me, uh...how do you know where I work?" He chuckled, looking down while playing with his brown curls. "I actually went to yours but your dad said you went to work. So I called Abel and he filled me in on the location." I nodded. "Oh..." That was all I could say.

"Uh...welcome to Margret's Delight, how can I be of help?" He was still at the diner and I was still at work. "Oh, right. I uh, I guess I'll have a chocolate budding and banana milkshake." I giggled at the request. "But you don't like chocolate." Darrick smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes.

"I was actually going to give it to you, as an apology gift."

I pursed my lips. Darrick heaved a sigh before looking me dead in the eyes. Eek, I wasn't ready for this conversation just yet. "About the kiss, I know it was sudden and all. I also know it may have made you uncomfortable. I'm sorry about that." I nodded, looking towards my feet, I had on a pink converse today, paired with white socks.

"It...it did make me feel uncomfortable Darrick. And, a bit naive." I admitted, the words 'it's fine' were at the tip of my tongue but I decided against it. It wasn't fine, at least not for me. Darrick sighed, tugging on his hair. "I know. I just wanted to kiss you, knowing I wouldn't have the chance again, especially with..." He stopped. "It's nothing. There's no excuse."

The air was tense. I hated this. Not knowing what else to do, I rocked the balls on my feet. "I'll get your order ready." Before shuffling towards the counter where Misan was. "One chocolate fudge and a banana milkshake," I repeated his order then she gave me the receipt. "Everything okay?" She asked monotonously without looking up. "You sound out of breath but didn't run here."

I'd come to know that Misan was observant and quiet. Skillfully twirling the strands of black hair blocking her sight, she twisted it into loops before securing it with a hairpin. She looked up at me with an eyebrow raised. "You sound flustered is what I meant to say." I blushed, looking away from her intense gaze.

"Right, that's Darrick, he's a friend of mine and we had a fight," I explained briefly, not wanting to get too into details. She muttered an 'ah, I see.' "But yeah, I'm alright." Her gaze shifted from me to Darrick. "He's just a friend?" I nod.

Misan cocked her head to the show glass. "You should go hand him his order." She was smirking. "It's not what you think!" This was embarrassing, taking out his order, I shuffled back towards him. "Here you are."

"Amelia..."

"Hm?"

"Please don't let our friendship suffer because of my action." I tensed. I didn't want our friendship to be sacrificed too. I loved Darrick but as a friend. I didn't see him in a romantic light, and honestly, I didn't think I could. My lips were pursed, and I realized he was standing now. "I don't want to lose you." He whispered the sentence with a strong gaze. My heart clenched, if I wasn't working, I'd have gone in for a hug, but I settled on a smile.

"Me too."

"See you later?" I nod. "I love you." For the first time, I realized he had been saying it with an undertone. He'd meant it more than a friendship and I was too oblivious to see or even hear it. Gosh, it must have been hard on him. I gave a sad smile. "I...I, I'll see you later, Darrick." I couldn't say it back, not when he saw me in that light.

There was an expression in his eyes that I couldn't read, his face morphed from a smile to a conflicted look. "Yeah, later..." He dropped the chocolate pudding on the table, "Make sure you eat up, okay?" Was the last thing he said before strolling off with one hand in his pocket.

"I think I just got second-hand embarrassment from this." Preston chirped in just as I was about to start feeling awkward again. His words made me gasp, "You were eavesdropping?!" He rose his hands in surrender. "No, no. Well, the conversation just invaded my ears before I could block it out!" My face heated up at the thought of him hearing our conversation. "Preston!"

"I'm sorry sunshine! I promise, my lips are sealed." They better be! Huffing, I secured my arms around my chest, glaring at him with pouted lips. Preston chuckled nervously, running his hand through his hair. "But I'm totally rooting for you and that handsome older man. You're cute together." My cheeks were on the brink of tearing, or even melting from so much heat!

"Preston! You're not helping." He snickered at the scowl I tried giving him. "I'm sorry sunshine, I didn't mean to." Oh, his puppy dog stare wasn't going to work on me. Not today. Not with the level of embarrassment I was facing. "You're not fooling me with those eyes." I muffled him with a glare, he looked around, his eyes brightening. "Look, a customer, I got this one." Preston scurried.

As the hour went by, I felt myself getting a bit lighter. Even if this weren't perfect with Darrick yet, it was a step in the right direction, which I was thankful for. During my fifteen minutes break, I munched on the chocolate pudding he gave me while checking my messages. When I saw Evie on my screen, my chest jumped, no...it fluttered.

'Have a wonderful day sweetheart. You got this.'

Oh my gosh! Everest was such a charming man. My chocolate-filled cheeks brightened as I reread the message, silently giggling to myself.

Sweetheart...baby...I was rolling in his endearments, I loved the way it flowed so easily from him. It made me light. Everest was so...mature. Not just emotionally and the way he reasoned, but physically too. Was it dirty to blatantly ogle at him? To stare at how his veins showed in any movement? Internal squealing.

Everest was built. I mean, he served in the military for how long? I was curious about that, and why he didn't have a girlfriend or wife! I mean...what was not to like?

I wanted to get to know Everest better and ask him some questions that had been swarming in my head. Like... What was it like in the military? What he found most attractive in a woman...ah, I'd be too embarrassed to ask the latter.

My teeny weeny crush had definitely not only grown arms but a pair of legs and a head as well. In such little time, I felt my feelings grow towards this man, it kind of scared me. I had never been in anything short of a summer fling. Embarrassing right? I was definitely inexperienced. Did that bother him? Did asking him to kiss my neck feel too childish? I squealed, covering my face in embarrassment.

Right! I was supposed to reply.

'Evie! Thank you. I hope you have a lovely day as well! I can't wait to see you.'

Wait...was that too much? Argh! I had no idea. Digging my phone back into my pocket, I finished the pudding quickly, gulping down a bottle of water. Settle down, heart. It was beating so fast.

The rest of the time passed by pretty fast, I was also getting a hang of the customers, learning to smile even when they snapped at me. It was normal, they were just stressed or plain rude -- as Preston had categorized them. With the last customer of the day, I skipped towards the office, signing out and neatly dropping my apron. From the side of my eyes, I saw Hugh waiting near the kitchen, he seemed nervous, the way he was playing with his hands. I did that when I was nervous as well.

I smiled. It was probably for Amy.

Walking out of the bakery, goosebumps marked my skin as I saw a familiar truck pull in. He was here! My palms began to feel sweaty, and my heart raced more than normal. I wasn't nervous to see him, just excited. Okay, maybe I was a bit nervous. After yesterday when he kissed my neck -- as per my request (which I shamefully admit). I just...wanted to give him a peck, but my nerves got the better of it so I asked instead. He did it without complaint.

Great, thinking about it made my heart beat even faster!

The tall stature climbed out of the car with his shades on. He looked fine, quite fine indeed. He had a dress shirt buttoned until his chest, loosely tucked in black jeans. My smile widened, this man had feelings for me. How fascinating.

"Evie!" The squeal surprised me too, I didn't realize when I launched into his arms, holding his neck for support. Everest didn't tip over, his arms seemed to lift me up rather effortlessly. "Hey, baby." He whispered breathlessly into my ear, I felt tingles.

I could confidently say that I loved the warmth that came from him. He put me down, the smile still on his lips. "How was work?" He asked, leading me inside the passenger seat before going round to his. Work...It felt weird hearing that. I didn't know if to tell him about Darrick coming or not.

"Well, it was good actually. And oh! I forgot to tell you my brother left a message for you. And I talked it out with Darrick so you don't have to be so angry at him, also I wanted to--" His chuckle cut me off. "Hey," He put his palm on my knee. "Slow down, sweetheart." I got too excited. "I just...I want to tell you so much!" It seemed like the less than an hour drive was too little a time.

"I also have a few things to say." He admitted.

"Oh yeah?" Everest nodded, his thumb circling my knee. I liked that. Staring at his large hand, I was tempted to feel it. Did it feel as tough as it looked? Blushing to myself, I bit my lips. "Would you like to stop at the ice cream parlour? We could talk there." My ears perked up.

"Really?!" I didn't want him to leave so soon. Everest grinned, his eyes holding amusement. "Would you like that?" Gosh, I felt like pecking his cheeks and beard! Slow down, Amelia. "Yeah! I'd love that." He roared the engine to life, reversing out of the parking lot.

"I'd love that too. Let's go."