6. Veronica
Chapter six
Veronica
How hard can it really be to make mac and cheese?
I stop at the small deli shop near our condo and order two sandwiches for me and Aubrey before heading to the cute little bakery she works at. Gabe had invited me to stay for dinner, bribing me with more delicious creations, but I had promised to bring Brey dinner since she left hers at home.
I pay for the sandwiches and head out of the shop, walking the two blocks to the bakery as my mind wanders over the day I’ve had.
I must admit, I had a good time with the twins today.
It’s strange to think that in just two days, I’m starting to see them differently, and I’m not sure how to feel about that.
When we were having breakfast together, it felt good.
I didn’t feel like I had to force my smiles or my laughs; they just came naturally.
I could see it always being like that. Gabe even surprised me by going a full day without flirting, which has never happened since I’ve known him.
He was actually really kind, and it was nice to see under the whole playboy persona he puts on.
Even when I had my little freak out in the hall, he didn’t push me for information or make a joke about it like I would have expected him to. Instead, he took my mind off it and acted like it never happened.
And then there’s Noah. I can never get a good read on him; I never know what he’s thinking. He’s always polite with me, a real charmer like always, but it’s subtle. Sometimes he looks at me and acts in certain ways that make me question what exactly he might know about me.
I know he’s picked up on my dislike of being touched because he refrains from doing so for the most part.
And when he does, it’s gentle and slow. Like he’s waiting to see how I’ll respond, waiting for my body and mind to accept him.
And somehow, it always does. I always feel safe with his hands on my body.
And then I find myself getting lost in his deep brown eyes, that small, secretive smirk he gives me when we look at each other.
Fuck. When the hell did he slip under my defenses? I don’t do secret smiles or eye gazing. I don’t do feelings, and I most certainly don’t do boyfriends. Get yourself together, Ronnie!
I shake my head as I make it to the bakery and pull the door open to the charming little building. I walk up to the counter and order two drinks to accompany our food from the teenage girl behind the counter just as Aubrey walks out of the back door to her office.
I pull out my card to pay for our drinks, but as I go to swipe it, I notice it’s black, whereas mine is silver. At first glance, I’m confused, but then I realize it’s Noah’s card. “Shit.” I never gave it back, and I used it at the deli earlier. I quickly exchange it for the right card and pay.
“What’s wrong?” Aubrey asks in her usual soft voice.
“Nothing, I just realized I used Noah’s card to pay for our food. It’s fine, though. I’ll just text him to let him know so that he doesn’t think I’m taking advantage of him.” I wave a hand like it’s no big deal.
We collect our drinks and take our seats at the corner table, like we always do when I stop by to see my girl at work. I hand over her sandwich and unwrap mine as she places papers on the table beside her.
“What are you doing?”
She looks up from the sheets in front of her and smiles sheepishly. “I’m going over our menu items and seeing what sells and what doesn’t. While also thinking about what we could add or change.”
“It must be nice to practically be the boss around here.” I wouldn’t know what that’s like, but it seems cool to make all the choices.
“Well, it isn’t always easy, and it also means more hours. Having to cover when someone doesn’t come in and take blame for anything and everything that goes wrong.” She widens her eyes but then smiles with pure joy.
“But I love it. I get to bring in my own little touches here, you know. Having Clara let me take the reins and add my own items to the menu makes me so grateful. And then having clients rave about my creations…” She sighs whimsically. “It’s like a dream come true.”
“I can tell.” In the three years I’ve known Aubrey, I’ve never seen her this happy.
“You know, I was afraid I had made a mistake at first, dropping out and taking over here, that maybe my passion was just a hobby and nothing more. But I see it now—this is the best decision I’ve ever made for myself. This is where I belong. Maybe not this specific bakery, but in this industry.”
“Have you ever thought of opening up your own place?”
She blushes at my question. “It would be the goal. But it requires a lot of money, and I don’t want to ask my brother for help.
He’s already done so much for me. It’s why I’ve practically been putting ninety percent of my earnings in a savings account.
I’m hoping within the next five to ten years it will be possible to have my own little place. ”
I place my hand over hers on the table, giving it a little squeeze. “You’ll get it for sure. I have no doubt. You’re so talented, Aubrey, there’s no way your talent stops here.”
“Thank you. And thank you for giving me the kick in the butt to go against my brother’s wishes and take this route. If it weren’t for you, I’d probably still be in school studying courses I don’t even like.” She giggles.
“Well, you can thank me when you’re rich and famous by buying me a nice villa in Italy.” I wink as she laughs.
My phone buzzes on the table, and I lift it to see who it could be. At first my nerves kick up, fearing it could be another message from someone I wish had forgotten about me, but when I see Noah’s name pop up, a smile forms on my lips. I unlock my phone and tap into the message.
Noah
I see you’re using me for my money.
Me
You should know this by now. All I ever wanted was your money.
Noah
Damn, I should have known you were too good to be true.
Me
Sorry to ruin your fantasies about me.
Noah
Nah, you could never ruin those, Kitten.
I bite my lip as I read his text. It’s like I can hear him saying it.
Hear him calling me Kitten in that deep, smooth, masculine voice.
Even when he says my name, it always sounds different coming from him.
Over the last few years, I’ve hated people calling me Veronica.
But with him, it makes a knot form in my stomach. And not an unpleasant one.
Another message comes in that makes me giggle.
Noah
BTW, I’m a little disappointed that you’d prefer to have something at a deli rather than eat with us.
Me
I didn’t have a choice. I promised Aubrey I’d bring her dinner at work. Or else I could have maybe been persuaded into staying.
Noah
Noted… for next time.
Me
Seriously, though, I didn’t mean to use your card. I noticed after using it and was going to tell you. I’ll pay you back.
Noah
No need, I like knowing you’re using me. If it’s not for my body, at least let it be my money.
Me
You’re ridiculous.
“Oh God, not you too…”
I look up from my phone to find Aubrey staring at me with wide eyes. “What?”
“They got to you, didn’t they?” she questions.
“No, why would you say that?” I furrow my brows in confusion.
“Because you were just wearing that same goofy smile that the other girls wear every time their men message them.”
My mouth opens and closes like a fish. Was I really doing that? “I was not,” I stagger.
“You were. Trust me, I see that look all the time on Emma’s face, as well as Cecilia’s and Morgan’s.” I honestly don’t even know what to say about that, so I just stay mute. “I take it today went well?”
I clear my throat, pushing what she said to the far back of my brain. “Yeah, actually, it did. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but they’re really not how I’ve always seen them. We actually had a good time and talked like normal people for once. It was refreshing.”
She nods. “So, what now? What does that mean for you guys?”
“Absolutely nothing. You know I don’t do the boyfriend thing. We’re just going to be spending more time together, probably become better friends. But that’s all,” I say, trying to convince myself more than her.
~ One Week Later ~
The boys are coming home from their away game today.
This was their third win in the Stanley Cup finals, which means they now have a three-to-two lead.
One more win and they take the cup home.
It will be their first time winning it in a very long time, so I know how excited they all are.
Although I might be dimming that excitement a bit when they get home.
I started redoing the outdoor space two days ago, and I’m glad to say it’s pretty much done.
It now looks like a beautiful oasis with a magical view of the city.
I’ve set up two outdoor couches, a coffee table, a small outdoor dining table with chairs, some tall leafy plants, string lights all over, and a cute little bird feeder in the corner. It’s simple, yet breathtaking.
It gives off this sense of calm and peace.
I picture myself coming home after a long day at work, kicking off my shoes as I pour myself a glass of wine.
Then I’d come out here to watch the sun set over the city as the birds stop by for their final snack of the day before flying freely back to their nests.
Ugh, I could live here forever.
Except the reality is, this is my place of work, not my home. And I won’t get to do those things I dream of. Hell, I’ll probably never even get to use it, let alone watch the sunset out here. How unfair life can be sometimes…
I finish installing the last throw pillows over the couches outside and place the soft throw blankets into the outdoor waterproof storage bin I got.
Then I plug in the little string lights to light up the place.
It’s still daytime, so it doesn’t show off as well as I’d like it to, but I want the boys to see what I’ve done with the place.
And I’m hoping with it looking this nice, they’ll use it more often.