That's what she said

Sunday was the laziest morning ever. I woke up pretty late than usual and realising that my bakery needs to be opened in an hour, I quickly brushed my teeth and showered. I was in a mood for a long relaxing bath but it was not the day for that. I put on black jeans, maroon spaghetti top and a long peach shrug. I put on my black ankle boots and grabbed the necessities for the shop. I had to bring heart and star shaped mould for cookies, powdered sugar and piping tips.

"Hey Peach! Why are you in a hurry?" Mom said when she saw me running down the stairs.

"Bakery mom. I overslept. Today is Sunday so there's gonna be rush." I said and turned to the door.

"Wait Liv! Just come here one second." I pace walked towards the kitchen. My hands were already full with my helmet on one hand and keys and bakery items on the other. My mom quickly spread butter on a toast and shoved it in my mouth. I playfully glared at her.

"Thank you." I said in a muffled tone and went out. I put all the necessities in my bag, put my helmet on and took off.

It took me ten minutes to reach the shop and I already saw people coming in that direction. I don't want to brag but my shop has always been famous. The guy who used to own this place was pretty good at cooking and recipes. He just wasn't productive enough. He was way too old for that and was often sick so people didn't come to this place often. I was more quick on the feet, taking orders, managing the register, and had his recipes so the shop became popular pretty quickly.

I didn't have time to start baking because customers kept arriving to buy chocolates. It was a miracle that no one came to eat in else I would have gone mad.

"Excuse me! Pardon me! She is my friend." I heard a very familiar voice.

"Damn my knight in shining armour." I said and hugged Mark.

"You are no Damsel but I can see you are in distress." He said patting my back. I moved back and smiled sheepishly.

"Can you please take the register? I have to make coffee and bake cookies."

"Can I do the taste test?" He said adorably. I have never been able to deny him and I don't think I can.

"Sure you can." I said ruffing his hair and went back to the kitchen. I heard him groan and I chuckled. He hates when someone messes with his hair.

"Oh! This one's good." He moaned licking his lips.

"Save that noise for Emma." I said and he blushed.

An hour later, we were done with all the customers and Mark's excitement reached to a whole new level when he heard the 'ding' from oven indicating cookies were ready.

Whole afternoon, he stayed with me helping me with the customers. We both were so tired we decided to close the shop for some time and have lunch in the bakery itself. I changed the sign on the glass doors to 'closed' and went in the kitchen. Just then, I heard the microwave alarm go off signaling that the last batch of mint cookies were done.

I went in expecting Mark to have already eaten half of those but he was busy preparing sandwich for both of us. I took out the tray and put it out on the platform for it to cool down. I saw Mark looking at me with pleading eyes. He had his hands covered in butter and I understood he wanted me to give him a cookie.

"Can you put one in my mouth?" He asked like a baby.

"That's what she said." I said and did as he said. He gave me a pointed look.

"You have a dirty mind, do you know that?" He said while eating and dropping crumbs on the floor.

"You eat like a pig, you know that?" He nodded his head vigorously as if I praised him for something. I heard the bell on the door and frowned. I turned the sign to close, who can it be? I thought. Before going out I pointed at the crumbs he left.

"You are going to clean that up." I said and went out of the kitchen to see Carter coming in. He had a tense posture and he looked kind of mad. Who knows what got into his pants, I thought.

"Hey Carter, what's up? Do you need something?"

"I thought you are closed." He said but he kept his focus behind me.

"We are but I can make an exception for friends." I said and smiled at him. This time, he looked at me and smiled back.

"Okay then, do you make hash brownies?" I gave him a are-you-serious look. He didn't seem to take the hint.

"No Carter, I don't make hash brownies." I said in a bored tone.

"Lame. Then bring me whatever you just made." My eyes lit up in excitement and I heard him chuckling. Maybe I am that obvious but I just love when someone says that. It feels like they trust the chef with the recipe.

"That is a good choice. I will be right back." I said and saw Mark stuffing a cookie in his mouth while he already had another one in his left hand. I quickly took them away and packed some for Carter. Mark tried to protest but I stopped him before he could speak.

"You had enough. No more for today. I was going to pack you some when you leave but I guess that's not happening." I said and popped one sandwich in my mouth. I went out to see Carter again staring at the back in the kitchen. He looked like a cat trying to find mice to kill. I cleared my throat and his head snapped in my direction. He paid for the cookies and went out without saying a word. I expected him to make some comment about the fact that I had sandwich in my mouth and I looked like Nezuku from Demon Slayer but he didn't. I shrugged and went inside.

"Don't you have somewhere else to be?" I asked Mark after we were done eating and I opened the shop again. While the shop was closed, I prepared what I could in advance in case I have to face another rush.

"I have to meet Emma in the library at 4...." He said and looked at his watch.

"And it's 4:05." He said, packed two pastries and some white chocolate balls and ran out. I chuckled and shook my head. Emma is going to be so mad, I thought. She has always been on time, whatever it might be. She hates people who are not punctual and Mark is going to be her victim.

Rest of the evening went smoothly and as soon as the clock struck 7, I changed the open sign to closed and started packing everything. I usually stay up till 9 but I have to make dinner this week so it's better if I finish early. Before leaving, I checked my messages to make sure I didn't miss anything. I saw a text from my mom saying she is out with Ray (her boyfriend from work) and will be late. I smiled at the text. I guess she really likes this guy. After I reached home, I took that relaxing shower that was due. As soon as warm water touched my skin, I heaved in relief. I felt my muscles relax and I sighed in content. I don't know how long I stayed there but it certainly felt good. I changed into comfy shorts and crop top. I waited till 9 for mom to come home but I didn't see any sign of her. I decided to call her. She picked up on the third ring.

"Hey Peach, everything okay?"

"Yeah mom, you weren't home so I was worried."

"Sweetie I am fine. I am still with Ray. Eat up and don't wait for me. You have school in the morning."

"Okay mom, have fun." I said and hung up. She sounds happy, I thought.

I was hungry but I definitely wasn't in a mood to cook something just for me. I checked my refrigerator but there was nothing that I could eat instantly. I made really good money today so I decided to eat out. I texted my girls if they wanted to go out to eat. Emma said she is with Mark and she can't come, Ashley said she is with Noah ( I have to ask what's going on between her and Noah ), Mia and Sofia had family nights. I groaned and flipped my phone on the couch. I don't wanna go alone, it feels weird. My phone went off indicating text alert.

Unknown Number: Hey! You busy? Carter here by the way. I got your number from Ashley.

Liv: Hey! I am not busy. Did you eat already?

Gray: Not really. My parents aren't home and I am hungry but I don't know anyone here and Noah is busy.

Liv: Do you wanna grab a bite? My mom's busy too.

Gray: Are you asking me out?

Liv: Are you this desperate to go out with me?

I saw three dots bouncing for a minute but then it stopped. I drowned at my phone. Did I say something wrong? I thought.

Gray: With someone like you? Pfft, not happening!

That sounded condescending even for Carter. I was irritated.

Liv: Do you wanna eat out or not?

Again three dots bounced for a long time.

Gray: I will pick you up in ten.

Liv: I have my bike -_-

Gray: Think about the environment love.

I shook my head and smiled. He really is a charmer. True to his words, ten minutes later I saw a black mercedes parked outside my house. I changed into skin colored comfortable trousers and a deep neck blue top. I slid into the passenger seat and stared at him. He wore a black trouser, white shirt and a brown jacket.

"You have a good fashion sense." I commented.

"Damn you look hot girl!" He said and whistled. I blushed and he stared at me.

"Let the record show, I made badass Olivia Claire blush." He announced like he won a boxing match or something. I playfully punched him on his shoulder and he rubbed his palm where I punched looking at me with fake hurt in his eyes.

"Do you get money everytime you punch me?"

"Nah! I do it for free. Just for you." I said and battled my eyelashes at him. He laughed and we drove to this small cozy burger shack.

As soon as he parked, my stomach grumbled and I looked away in embarrassment. Before he could comment anything, I heard another grumble but this time it was him. We both stared at each other and laughed out loud.

We went inside and took a window seat. A waitress came with menus. We chose our food in silence and she came back after five minutes to take our orders. I looked up to ask Carter what he is going to have but I saw him staring at the waitress boobs. I kicked him from under the table and he made an ouch sound and glared at me.

"Hey! Keep it in your pants mister. That's not how you behave!" I practically shouted at him in low voice. I turned my attention back to her.

"Hey I am sorry about him. He is an ass. I would like to have a burger meal and chocolate shake."

"Same for me." Carter grumpily said and looked out of the window. She took our menus and went back.

We ate and talked about most random shit anyone could ever ask for. I felt strangely comfortable with him and he seemed at ease as well. After we were done, I saw a mischievous smile on his face and I knew he planned something. We went to the register to pay up. A grumpy old man sat behind the counter.

"Hey there. My friend here thinks you are cute." He said to the old man and I glared at him. Oh he did not just do that. The guy was older than my father. I shoved my feet on his leg and he bit his lips to control the pain.

"Oh really? Well then you should tell your friend that I think her friend his cute." My eyes went wide and I bit my thumb to stop myself from laughing like a maniac. The old guy was gay! I saw panic rising in Carter's face and that just made this even more hilarious.

"T-t-t-thank you." Carter said while stuttering and dragged me out of the shack. I kept laughing through the whole ride and he kept getting embarrassed by the second.

A minute or two after I calmned down, I poked him on his shoulder.

"Gray, I think you guys would look great together." I said and laughed again. He groaned and hit the steering wheel in frustration.

"Shut up Liv!" He barked and I just laughed even more. We came to halt at my house and he just sat there pouting waiting for me to leave the car. I got out and went to his side. I opened his door and waited for him to come out. He did and I made puppy dog eyes at him.

"Oh come one Gray, stop pouting. You know that was funny." I saw his lips curving into a huge smile. He laughed and went back to his usual self.

"Yeah okay it was. My plan backfired but atleast he thought I was cute." He said proudly.

"He surely did. Okay, see you tomorrow." I said and I saw his eyes fall.

"Yeah, see ya." He said and went off. I walked inside and smiled immediately missing his presence.

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