Sims Stories

Love Tarts

A/N: I did not proof read this. I will do so tomorrow. I just really wanted to post this tonight. It is the month of love and 10 days (11 days actually) after Valentine's day I finally post something. Anyways, I hope you enjoy this chapter I had fun writing it.

Characters: Carson Montanez and Olivia Marlow (Mentioned Samuel Peterson)

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Carson stared down at his phone, looking over the recipe he had found on the internet.

"Strawberry Tarts to make your lover swoon." He muttered the title out loud, rolling his eyes at how cheesy it sounded.

Tomorrow was Love Day and Carson wanted to make something special for his lovely girlfriend, Olivia. Sure he could just buy the tarts and a bouquet of flowers to give her but he wanted to really show how much he cared. Olivia was not like other girls he's dated. Olivia was sweet and kind but also had a spicy side. She wore her heart on her sleeve and was so outspoken about everything. She was truly special to him. He recalled earlier when he went to his best friend, Samuel, looking for gift ideas.

"I just don't know what to give her. She's amazing and I want her to know that." said Carson, exasperated from his lack of ideas.

"Wow, she must be really special to you if you're going through this much trouble." Samuel chuckled, coming over to sit next to his friend.

"She really is. I think...I think I love her..."

Sam's eyes widened. Love? The ever popular ladies' man, Carson Montanez, was in love??

"Wow...You've finally met your match."

Carson groaned and put his head in his hands, cheeks heating up slightly. He couldn't believe he was this worked up over a girl. It was somewhat embarrassing for him. But he couldn't help it, he had never met anyone like Olivia. He was brought out of his thoughts when Sam patted his shoulder.

"Here's an idea. Why don't you make her something?" Sam said with a smile. "Something that speaks from the heart."

Carson thought for a moment and nodded.

"That actually sounds like a great idea. Thanks man."

So after that, Carson immediately looked up a recipe for strawberry tarts and went out and bought the needed ingredients. Tilting his head to the side, he read through the instructions, this couldn't be too hard...right?

"Do I even own measuring spoons?" he muttered, looking through his drawers and cabinets for all the needed utensils.

He found his sister's baking equipment and figured she wouldn't mind if he used them just this once. He fumbled a bit when measuring out the different ingredients for the crust, over filling the measuring cup a few times. He was a little too enthusiastic when mixing them together. His elbow hit the bag of flour, knocking it over, and sending flour all over the counter and himself. He now realized why aprons were preferred as he brushed the flour off his jeans and sweater. A pleased smile spread across his face as his mixture started to resemble dough. Soon enough the tart crusts were pressed into their pans and put in the oven.

Carson turned his attention to making the filling while the crusts baked. He followed the instructions to the best of his abilities. Upon turning on the mixer he did not realize that it had been left on high. Cream. Went. Everywhere. He frantically tried to turn off the machine only to knock the flour over again. Sighing, he looked over the next step in the recipe.

'Add lemon juice and zest from 1 lemon.'

"Zest..?" Carson said in confusion. "What?"

He'd never heard of zesting before but it couldn't be that important so he decided to skip that part. That's when he smelled it. Smoke. Smoke? Smoke! The tart crusts were beginning to burn. Carson pulled the more-than-golden-brown tarts out of the oven, slightly panicked. He sighed for what felt like the millionth time that day as he looked over the crusts. They were burnt around the edges but otherwise ok. He looked at the clock and his eyes widened. He had a photoshoot to be at in 20 minutes!

"God fuckin' damn it-" He cursed under his breath as he quickly spooned the the filling into the the crusts.

The decorating and could wait until tomorrow, the tarts had to set anyway. He carefully placed them into the fridge then grabbed his camera bag before leaving the house.

~*~

The next day, Carson woke up a little earlier than normal. After doing his normal morning routine, he returned to his disaster of a kitchen. What? Oh right, he didn't clean up before leaving for the photoshoot yesterday. And after dealing with a particularly annoying and draining client, he was too tired to do it when he got back. Groaning, he began cleaning up, Olivia was coming over today and he didn't need her to see this mess. After he finished he took the strawberry tarts out of the fridge and placed them on the counter. Time for decorating. He grabbed the leftover strawberries and began slicing them into heart shapes. Or at least he tried to, the result was clumsy blobs of red that almost resembled hearts. Glancing at the clock he decided he didn't have time to redo it, Olivia would be here any minute. Wait...What? Olivia would be here any minute!!

"Crap-"

He quickened his decorating pace and began cutting the strawberries at an alarming speed. Which turned out to be a stupid idea as he cut his finger. Hissing in pain, Carson brought his hand up to his mouth, running his tongue over the cut. That's when there was a knock at his door.

"Fuck.."

His shoulders slumped downward as he looked down at the strawberry tarts on the counter. They were not pretty. Not in the slightest. But he had put in so much effort and he hoped that would be enough. Another knock at the door. Carson reluctantly went over and opened it. There she was, Olivia Marlow, the love of his life. His nervousness increased yet he found himself smiling at the sight of her.

"Hey 'Via."

"Hello sweet-bee!~"

She beamed up at him, getting up on her tiptoes to place a kiss on his lips. Carson flushed slightly at the nickname. She'd been calling him that since their second date when he spilled honey on her by accident. Even now a year later, she still gave him butterflies.

"Happy Love Day. I, uh, made you something..." He trailed off, eyes shifting over to the counter where the tarts sat.

Olivia curiously followed his gaze and let out a soft gasp. She walked over the counter and gently picked one up. She let out a soft giggle and turned to look at Carson, who seemed to be having a staring contest with his sneakers as he shifted nervously in place.

"You made these?"

"Uh-huh."

She looked back down at the tart and took a bite of it. Humming softly as she chewed, Olivia's eyes lit up. She quickly finished the rest of the small tart before engulfing Carson in a hug. Surprised, he wrapped his arms around her, returning the hug.

"You liked it?"

"I loved it. They're perfect.~"

Carson couldn't stop the smile that broke out on his face. He buried his face in the crook of her neck, mumbling something into her skin. Olivia giggled at the tickling sensation.

"What was that hun?"

Carson pulled back and looked her in the eyes.

"I love you."

Olivia's eyes widened and her cheeks flushed red. Now it was her turn to feel butterflies.

"I...I love you too."