You know what? Men are despicable. They are. No joke. Especially one particular man in general.

Eli Mason. He is the bane of my existence. I kid you not. He decided to just waltz right into this town and screw me over. He really did.

I guess I should back up a little and explain some of these things. First, I'm Olivia Kingsley. Or Liv or Livvy, to some people. (Namely my family and closest friends on that last one.)

I LOVE to bake. I always have. I used to enter baking contests when I was just a kid. I'm thirty now. My number one dream was to own my own bakery shop. And that's what I do.

Everyone who lives within a twenty mile radius, comes straight to me with their orders for wedding cakes, graduation cakes, baby showers. You name it.

I live in a wonderful medium sized town, Butler, New York. It's absolutely breathtaking here in the autumn. Everyone here is so warm and friendly.

Well. Not exactly everyone. That's where HE comes into play. I was doing just dandy until HE came along and ruined every that I'd worked so damn hard for!

But it's okay. Because that bakery stealing jerk has something coming.

ME.

>>>>>>>>

The first time I met Eli Mason, I thought he was HOT. (Okay, okay. I still think he's hot. However, he's also the enemy. So I have to tread carefully there.)

Anyhow, he just waltzed right into my bakery and started chatting me up, like we were old friends.

"This is a cute place," he remarks, looking around at everything. I smile proudly.

"Thanks. I'm Olivia. Or Liv. Whatever you prefer. Did you just move here?"

"Yeah. Elijah Mason. But everyone calls me Eli." He was really eyeing all my delicious desserts that I had on display.

"What's the best seller in this place?" Eli looks me straight in the eyes and I nearly fell over. He was soo damn handsome!

"Oh! Um, probably my cream cheese danishes. They take me an entire day to make. Anyone who wants to order several, they know to ask me at least two weeks in advance."

Eli flashes a cute grin. I notice his dimples and nearly fall over. Again.

"I'll have to remember that." I giggle. Yes. I actually giggle. Get a grip, I tell myself. You are not in grade school.

Another customer enters my shop. He's tall, dark and handsome. He comes straight to Eli.

"Checking out the competition, I see, my friend!" The guy has some sort of accent. I can't say where because I suck at guessing accents.

Then I realize what this guy just said. Competition. What did he mean, competition? I clear my throat loudly and both men look in my direction.

"What do you mean 'checking out the competition'?" I ask. Eli smiles charmingly at me and I get a funny little thrill in the pit of my stomach.

"Oh, you didn't know? I'm opening up my own bakery. Just down the street. Come check it out anytime!" Eli grins widely, gives me a little wave and he and his friend leave.

"WHAT?!!"

>>>>>>>

"He can't do this to me?" I seethe to my best friend, Charlotte. She's drop dead gorgeous, long black hair and sparkling brown eyes and a figure a super model would envy.

"There's no law against it," Charlotte says as she reaches over for a brownie. I slap her hand and she glares at me, rubbing her hand.

"How can you think of food at a time like this?" I demand.

"At a time like what?" Charlotte's brow is furrowed.

"My life is about to be over and all you can think about is eating brownies?!"

"Liv, breathe. Your face is turning purple. And your life is NOT over. Would you grow up?"

"That...that sneak is going to steal away all my loyal customers!" I snap. Then I bury my face in my hands. All that hard labor. All the hours I put into this place, poof! Gone.

Ooh, that jerk! How dare he come here and think he's going to start up his own damn bakery!

Over my dead body! Sabotage! That's what I'll do! I lift my face from my hands and grin at Charlotte. She looks terrified.

"Okay, sweetie, I'm officially terrified of whatever is making you smile like that."

"Eli Mason is going to wish he never came here. And do you know want to know why?"

"No. But I have a feeling you're going to tell me anyways." I walk over, grab Charlotte's hands and grin wider.

"Because you and I are going to fight cupcakes with cupcakes!"

.......

A/N: HI! I know this first chapter is a little short. I'm still trying to figure this out. Lol. Anyways thanks for reading!

Chapter 1-Olivia

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