Oliver picked up the plastic spoon and stirred the pot before setting the lid down to boil. Everything needed to be perfect. He effortlessly made his way around the small kitchen in his loft. The plates were on the table, the bread was in the oven, and the noodles were almost finished. Everything seemed laid out and ready and all that was missing was Clara.
Rufus even seemed to notice the difference in Oliver's actions and he waited patiently for Oliver to acknowledge him or for a piece of food, Oliver wasn't completely sure.
"You're going to love her, buddy." Oliver patted the top of Rufus' head as he passed by him to put the salad on the table.
Almost as if on cue the doorbell rang and the puppy was off barking and excited for their guest.
"Coming!" Oliver called as he stepped in front of the mirror stopping to straighten his button up and run his fingers through his hair before telling Rufus to sit and opening the door with a large grin.
There she stood. She wore a navy dress with a grey cardigan, her naturally curly hair glowed bright in the porch light. When she smiled at him she took his breath away and he let out an audible "Oh".
"Hello to you too." She smiled holding platter of chocolate chip cookies into the light. "I wasn't sure what you had planned but thought I could help with dessert."
"You look fantastic. I mean...they look fantastic." Oliver stuttered out with a blush as her smile grew.
"Thank you."
Oliver just stood there watching her and she giggled.
"Can I come in?"
"Oh, yeah. Sorry about that." He angled himself so that she could squeeze past him and as she did he wrapped an arm around her waist. "You smell fantastic too." He smiled kissing her deeply.
They stayed like that: his arms wrapped around her waist, one of her's around his neck and the other still holding the platter. They would have continued to stay like that if Rufus hadn't jumped up on them wanting attention as well.
"Hello?" Clara handed Oliver the platter and knelt down to be level with Rufus. "Who is this?"
With a chuckle Oliver responded, "This is who I wanted you to meet. His name is Rufus. Rufus, this is Clara. Clara, this is Rufus."
Rufus lolled his tongue out lazily as he let Clara rub his ears.
"He's so pretty."
"He's still a pup, only four months or so."
"What kind of dog is he?" Clara looked up from Rufus, her curious expression flipping his world upside down.
"Um," Oliver was at a loss for words, "He's a." Oliver stopped trying to figure out what he was trying to saw and she just continued to watch him.
"Yes?"
"He's a shepherd and chow mix."
Clara snuggled her face into his fur, "Is that why he's so fluffy?"
Oliver nodded as she stood up and wiped the dog hair from her tights.
Taking a deep appreciative sniff of the air Clara said, "What are we eating?"
And Oliver was off with a "Oh crap" as he pulled a slightly burnt baguette out of the oven. "It's a little more than slightly toasted." He shrugged as she finally made her way into the kitchen behind him.
"That's fine." She leaned against the counter, Rufus sitting next to her watching Oliver again. "What else did you make?"
"Well its not reheated noodles."
"Darn, I was hoping for those." She winked playing with the dog's ears again.
"I hope you don't have a weird aversion to tomatoes because spaghetti's on the menu."
"Um," Clara looked at him concerned, "I'm actually allergic."
Oliver dropped the spoon he was stirring with, "You've got to be kidding me. I think I might have some chicken in the freezer."
He frantically began searching through the refrigerator for something else to cook and she giggled. "I'm totally joking with you."
Oliver opened his mouth to say something but nothing came out.
"I'm sorry." She shrugged with a small smile.
"You woman, are cruel." He picked up were he had left off with dinner turning to fling a noodle at her before she could respond.
She squeaked when it hit her directly on the forehead and Rufus barked excitedly ready for his turn. Oliver laughed at the shocked expression but the laugh got stuck in his throat when the same noodle landed in the middle of his light blue button up shirt.
"Not cool, Clara. Not cool."
He peeled the noodle off and flung it back at her. "What? You looked a little hungry."
Oliver was washing his hands, "You know you're looking a little hot. Here let me cool you down."
He quickly turned towards her grabbing her around her waist and wiping his still wet hands down her exposed arms and face.
"Oliver, stop!" She shrieked in laughter as she tried to move away and Rufus barked excitedly at their laughter.
"What was that?" His hands moved he began tickling her and she shrieked in laughter again.
She made a sound but it was ineligible around her giggles.
"What?" He smiled widely as he pulled her towards the ground with him where he leaned against the counter with her sitting between his outstretched legs.
"You win, you win." She leaned back into him trying to return her breathing back to normal.
There they sat, leaning against each other and welcoming the feeling of being surrounded by joy.
YOU ARE READING
Sincerely Yours
ChickLit"Oliver had watched the way she watched the world around her as they had walked to the café and he more than anything wanted a glimpse of what she saw." It all started with a single library card, a single book, a single note, a single girl, and a si...
