Eli and I have been dating for a month now. It's still in that, everything is new and feels good, stage.

Sometimes I get this feeling, though, that Eli is still holding back on me. And I totally understand that. He's just gotten out of a bad relationship.

And he was with that person for a long time. Sometimes, too, I worry that I'm not good enough for Eli.

I know. I'm probably just allowing my insecurities to get the better of me, which is silly. Eli and I are adults. We're not in high school.

I also still get pangs of guilt over the way I treated him when he first arrived here. Talk about acting like I'm still in high school. Or even younger. More like grade school.

Eli hasn't mentioned anything about it again, though. Probably because he's a much better person than I am.

>>>>>>

"Everything okay?" I look at Eli and smile.

"Sure."

Eli is assessing me. He knows something is up and he probably thinks it has to do with him.

It does, in a way. But mostly, it's just about me needing to work some inward crap out.

"You sure?"

"Eli, I'm good. I promise." I start kissing him, hoping he'll drop it. I really don't want to talk about this with him.

Maybe I should. But not now. Eli squirms, gripping my hips with those skilled hands of his. He grins and I lightly brush my lips over his dimples.

Eli laughs and I rest my head on Eli's chest as he gently massages my back.

"If things get serious between us, how would we handle the bakery business?" Eli asks.

"Combine them." I look at him, gently kissing his nose. Eli flashes another grin.

"We could call it, The Baked With Love, cafe." I pretend to yawn.

"Boring." Eli glares at me. But only for a second.

"Let's hear your brilliant idea."

"I'm too tired to think of anything right now. Let's just cuddle."

"Okay." Eli allows me to snuggle against him and I close my eyes. It had been an extra long day today.

It seemed like EVERYONE was wanting SOMETHING from my bakery. Luke was right. There was plenty of business here for the two of us.

I don't know why I was so damn uptight about it. Probably because I really am an ice queen.

>>>>>>

I'd made another chocolate mousse cake for Eli, since we ended up wearing the last one. I have to laugh whenever the memory crosses my mind.

Talk about wacky! Eli's right. We WERE made for each other. Charlotte was right, too. Yes, we're both stubborn.

BUT both Eli and I are crazy, too. In a good way. We both find pleasure in the simple things. Including ridiculous food fights.

I smile. I hear the door bell ring, indicating that someone has entered the shop. I wipe off my hands and head out front.

A very pretty brunette woman is standing there, looking at all the different baked goods in the display case.

"Hello," I greet her. "I'm Olivia. Can I help you with anything in particular?"

The woman smiles. She's dressed like she wandered over here straight off of a runway for models. She's wearing a red, silk blouse and a black pencil skirt and shiny, black high heels.

"Hello. No, I just spotted this place and thought I'd pop in to see what yummy and tempting food you were offering."

I smile again.

"Well, if you see something you like, please let me know." The woman just nods.

I find myself studying her more closely. She's clearly not from around here. Not the way she's dressed. I wonder if she's just passing through or maybe she's here visiting family or friends.

It's not that our town doesn't have the occasion tourist come through, because we do. Occasionally, we've had a whole bus load of older folks, passing through on their way to somewhere else.

I frown, getting some strange vibes from this woman. I don't know why. I'm positive I've never met her before.

"Are there any other bakeries around here, dear?" I don't like her tone. Like she thinks she's better than me.

"Uh, yeah. There's another one just down the street. It's a good one. A friend of mine just opened it up not too long ago."

The woman gives me another smile, bids me goodbye and walks out. I dash out from behind the counter and hurry to open the front door.

I stand there, watching her stride towards Eli's bakery. Now my female intuition is practically screaming at me.

Something tells me, that woman has something to do with Eli. And I NEED to know WHAT.

>>>>>>

I fly back inside the bakery, flipping the open sign to closed and dash back to put the uncompleted chocolate mousse cake into the fridge before rushing back out, making sure that I have my keys and l hurriedly lock the front door, rushing towards Eli's bakery.

>>>>>>

When I enter, I'm immediately caught in the middle of World War Three. The woman is shouting at Eli and he's shouting right back.

I can't make out what either of them is saying. Eli immediately stops shouting the second he sees me.

"Liv, what are you doing here? Is something wrong?"

"I think I should be asking YOU that question."

Eli's gaze drops to the floor. The woman is glaring ferociously at me, as though she can't believe I'd dare to intrude on her and Eli's argument.

"Olivia, this is my..ex girlfriend, Emma." My eyes widen and I feel my stomach twist up into a big knot.

Crap. Is the reason she's here is because she wants Eli back? I feel dizzy, like I might pass out. I lean heavily against the wall.

Eli rushes over to me, holding me against him. I close my eyes, fighting against the urge to start crying. I don't want to give Eli up.

"Emma, please go." She glares at both Eli and me, but marches out of the bakery.

"Why is she here?" I manage to say. Eli rubs my back.

"To harass me and make my life a living hell." I manage a weak chuckle.

"That's supposed to be my job," I try to joke. It doesn't quite come off, though. I'm still struggling with trying not to burst into tears.

"Olivia, I'm not getting back together with her, okay? You're the one I want."

That does it. I DO start to cry. Eli wraps his arms around me as I sob against his shoulder.

I cry for a few minutes before gaining control of myself. Eli leans over, grabbing some napkins and handing them to me.

I smile and thank him. He gently kisses my forehead.

"Do you believe me? About Emma?" I nod.

"Yeah, Eli. I do."

Chapter 9-Olivia

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