Emma still hasn't left town. It's been almost two weeks. She continues to come to the bakery, day after day, expecting me to just pack up and follow her back.

No chance in hell am I doing THAT. I'm staying right where I am.

Olivia and I are growing closer each day that we spend together. She's slowly learning to let her guard down and is opening up more all the time.

It makes me really happy. Sure, we've had our differences. (Obviously.) But she is such a gentle person inside. ALL her customers love her.

So do I. As time marches on, I find myself wanting Olivia more. My only hope is that she learns to feel the same way about ME.

>>>>>>

Both Olivia and I had been baking like fiends for the last couple of days. There's this whole town celebration thing that they have every autumn.

We decided to combine our two bakeries and have a booth together. I was super psyched when Olivia mentioned wanting to do this together.

It felt like a major milestone in our lives and I LOVED that.

The only thing that was weighting heavy on my mind was, of course, Emma arriving and making trouble for Olivia.

She'd stated multiple times to me that she couldn't stand the thought of me being with someone else. Since when she give a rat's ass about THAT? IF Emma really cared about me, she wouldn't have walked away so quickly.

I push those negative thoughts out of my head. I'm planning on enjoying my time at the town celebration with my new girlfriend.

>>>>>

Our friends were kind enough to come and help us set up our booth before disappearing into the void of fun things.

Olivia is getting our cash box set out, so we can make change when the customers start arriving.

I slip my arm around Olivia's waist, sneaking a quick kiss on her cheek. She giggles and grabs me by the hand, pulling me closer.

"I have a fantastic idea," I murmur in Olivia's ear.

"Oh? Care to elaborate?"

"Let's forget the celebration and go make our own fun." Olivia just laughs and pushes me away.

"No. I want to do this with you." I sigh.

The truth was, I REALLY wanted to do this with her, too.

"You're right. We're going to have LOTS of fun doing this." Olivia gives me a gentle kiss.

"Now that's the spirit!"

>>>>>>>

Business is booming! We've already sold out of sugar cookies with blue and green icing and most of the brownies.

The best part is that I haven't seen The Real Ice Queen yet. I'm smiling as I watch two little girls enjoying some cupcakes that their parents bought them a few minutes ago.

They're giggling as they enjoy their cupcakes, icing smeared on their faces. I have an image of Olivia and I, having children.

Would we end up with a little boy or a little girl? I'd kind of like one of each, although I guess it wouldn't be a big deal if we ended up two of the same kind.

Olivia is cutting a slice of a marble cake that I made and putting it on a plate for an older gentleman.

I watch her interact with him. She's so patient and tender. I can easily see her as a mom. Holding our baby. Rocking them. Playing with them.

I don't realize that I have a stupid grin on my face until Olivia points it out.

"What are you smirking about?" She asks.

"You."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yes." I stop smiling, reaching out to curl my fingers around her waist. I want her. I mean, I want to be with her.

"Liv," I begin. But immediately stop. Standing in front of our booth, is..Emma.

>>>>>>

She's glaring daggers at me. And Olivia, too, I'm sure. Olivia sees the look on my face and whips her head around.

"Can I help you?" She asks, her voice stiff with formality.

"Yeah. Get away from my boyfriend, whore." I see the anger flash in Olivia's dark eyes. I step up.

"If you're not going to buy something, please leave."

"Eli, why don't you want me anymore?" Is Emma actually whining? Oh my God. She reminds me of a two year old.

"We are NOT having this discussion now. I'm in the middle of something important here."

Emma's lower lip puffs out and I have to fight the urge to slap her.

"I want a cupcake." Geez, now she really is sounding like a toddler.

"Which kind?"

"Hmm." Emma points at several different cupcakes before finally deciding that she doesn't want ANY of them.

I KNOW she's just screwing with us, to try and get a rise out of Olivia. Or me. Or both.

"I want a slice of that pink champagne cake instead." Olivia starts cutting a slice and sets it on a plate.

Emma gets a wicked grin on her face and then...pushes the plate to the ground. The cake splatters on Olivia's feet.

I have to get her credit, though. She doesn't lose her cool. She calmly cleans up the mess and then...lifts up what's left of the cake, setting it in front of Emma.

"Why don't you just have the rest? It's on the house."

Emma stares at Olivia, wondering if this is some sort of trick. Olivia simply smiles at Emma before stepping back.

Emma lifts up the cake and just aa she's turning, a shout is heard. Suddenly, a HUGE plastic yellow ball comes hurtling towards Emma, smacking her right on the head.

She loses her balance, falling backwards, the cake landing right in her face.

>>>>>>

Emma is furious. She's screaming and crying, all the while, trying to wipe cake out of her eyes.

Olivia hands her a towel, but Emma only shrieks louder. Some security guards are heading in her direction and once they reach her, they tell her she needs to leave.

"FINE!" Emna screams, facing Olivia and I. "I WILL LEAVE! I HOPE YOU TWO ARE HAPPY TOGETHER! YOU DESERVE EACH OTHER! YOU'RE BOTH DEVIOUS AND AWFUL AND I HATE YOU BOTH!"

Emma storms away and I burst into laughter. So does Olivia. We're laughing so hard, we have to hold each other up.

I spot Luke, Zane and Charlotte coming our way. I'm still wiping tears from my eyes. So is Olivia.

"Well, it's about damn time!" Zane says, grinning.

"What?" Olivia asks.

"The real ice queen is gone. Hopefully forever!"

"Did you guys have something to do with this?" I ask. Luke shrugs, looking sneaky.

"We'll never tell!"

"We MIGHT have done something to help it along," Charlotte adds. Olivia laughs as she leans into me.

"As long as she is gone." I gently kiss her.

"I couldn't agree more."

>>>>>>

That night, after Olivia and I put everything away, we decide to go for a walk.

I have a little surprise in mind. I'm REALLY hoping that Olivia will accept my offer.

We stop just over the bridge and I pull out the diamond engagement ring and turn to Olivia.

"Olivia, I love you. Please marry me?" I ask softly.

Olivia just stares at me for a few minutes before replying. Then she grins and kisses me.

I grin, too.

"Well?"

"Of course I'll marry you, you idiot." I laugh with relief, sliding the ring on her finger.

Chapter 12-Eli

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