Page 34 of Along Came Summer

The words lodge themselves into my throat as I slowly sink back into my chair, a glass of wine in hand, pretending to listen as he starts another conversation about how he decided to change from family law to pursue a career in criminal law instead.

And I want nothing more than to ram the butter knife I’m twirling around on the table into my ear, so I don’t have to listen to any more of it.

Well, there goes a hundred and twenty-three minutes that I will never get back.

After we settled the bill—and I saywebecause he suggested that we split it, which I ordinarily wouldn’t mind, but in this instance, I did, because not only was this date a waste of my goddamn time, but I also spent a hundred and fifty pounds on a sexy new dress and a further fifty pounds to get myself plucked like a turkey at Christmas which were both entirely wasted.

Nevertheless, I still refuse to let this horrendous date bring me down, so I’ll just chalk it down to an experience and leave it at that.

* * *

The taxi pulls up at the back entrance of the bakery and I heave a sigh as I step out of the car. I could go home, get into my PJs and dive into a tub of ice cream while I watch Big Bang Theory, but that won’t help eradicate the annoyance I’m still feeling after that date, and there is nothing more I hate than going to bed angry.

I need to bake. That’s the only therapy I need right now. We’re due to close soon, so I can turn the music up and lose myself in doing what I love the most. There’s a new recipe I’ve been meaning to try anyway, and if all goes well, I can use it as tomorrow’s special.

Taking my black jacket off as I walk through the back entrance, I hang it up on the hook and grab my apron. I’m not exactly dressed for baking in this tight red knee-length dress and silver open-toe heels, and I should probably go change into a more comfortable outfit, but I want to find Ness and give her a piece of my mind.

I find her at the front, leant over cleaning the display unit. When she hears my heels clicking against the tiles, she looks back and does a double take, a look of surprise on her pretty face. “Sum? You’re back already?” I plant my hands on my hips and scowl at her. “Shouldn’t you be getting your freak on with Mcfrappe—whoa, whoa, why are your eyes shooting icy daggers at me?”

“That was the last time you'll ever talk me into one of your dates,” I retort sternly, and she stares at me in surprise, placing the cleaning cloth on the counter before turning to face me properly.

“It didn't go well then?”

“Oh no,” I seethe, “According to him, it went great; he wants to see me again.” She opens her mouth to respond, but I hold up my hand to stop her. “But I would rather stick a hot iron rod in my eyes and chew my own ears off than sit through another date listening to that narcissistic man bragging about his Oxford degree and how successful he is.” Nessa’s brows rise to her hairline, and her mouth forms into a perfect O shape. “The man was so arrogant and self-involved that he didn’t even apprehend that he hadn't asked me anything or let me get a word in edgewise and then had the nerve to suggest going Dutch on the bill!”

Nessa’s dark eyes bulge out of their sockets, “What?”

“I have never felt so derided and worthless in my life as I did in those two hours I sat there with that…jerk.”

Nessa walks over and wraps me in a hug. “Don’t let an ass like him get you down, Sum. People who feel compelled to boast about their triumphs are usually the ones with inferiority complexes.”

I sigh in her embrace when her warmth helps ease my agitation somewhat. When I open my eyes again, I notice a guy sitting at a table, staring down at an untouched slice of red velvet cake. The sullen look on his handsome face causes a pinch in my heart. Why does he look so familiar? And what’s got him feeling so glum? When I straighten, Nessa looks at me and follows my gaze.

“Oh, by the way, do you remember that couple who came in last week? The one you were admiring and were convinced they were in love with each other?” I nod, my eyes refusing to look away. “Well, that’s the guy; he’s been sitting there all alone and broody for two hours just staring at the cake.”

“Aw, he looks so sad. Do you think they broke up?” I ask and she shrugs.

“Either that or she died.”

I gape at Nessa and smack her on the arm. “Ouch,” she hisses, looking back at me while she rubs her arm gingerly “What, it could happen? People die every day.” She utters and leans over, resting her chin in her hand while she observes him. “God, he even looks good when he’s brooding.”

“Ness! Don’t be so morbid.” I scold her, and she straightens and cracks her neck with a groan. “I don’t think she died. They probably fought or broke up, and he’s come here hoping to seek a little comfort.”

Nessa shrugs, “Well, either way, I called it. I did say she wasn’t that into him, and look, I was right because here he is a week later, sitting there staring at her favourite cake like some lovesick fool.”

Shaking my head, I force myself to steal my gaze from the broken-hearted stranger and turn my attention back to my best friend when her phone buzzes with a text message. I notice her face light up, and she smiles broadly while reading the message and tapping back a reply. There is only one person who could make her smile like that.Ethan.

“Hey, go on, get out of here and go see your boyfriend. I can finish up here.” Nessa lifts her eyes to look at me, her smile turning into a grin.

“Wait, really?”

I nod, taking the cloth from her. “Yes, really, it’s Friday night. Go have hot and wild sex with your boyfriend.”

“What about you?” Nessa pouts.

I frown, wrinkling my nose in distaste. “Well, I’m not joining you if that’s what you’re asking,” I reply drily and Ness cackles. “I’m still a little wired from the date, so I’ll do some baking. Try out the Gluten-free lemon curd brownie recipe I’ve been itching to try.”

Ness nods and gestures with her head to the only patron we have left, “You sure you’re good? Want me to ask Thor’s broodingly gorgeous brother to leave before I go?” I look over to him and shake my head.

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