Love, Amor, Amour

《Chapter 24》

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The fourth of July sale was making everything hectic, knowing it was two days away. She had to stay late with her father baking more often that week. The day before the town's annual fireworks show, Elijah came back and asked her to come with him to see the fireworks; they knew it was actually that they needed to talk. That conversation was on her mind after he had called her. But she needed to focus on helping her parents with the fourth of July themed desserts they needed done for the bakery and a catered order from last week. Forty cupcakes and cookies in total took many hands to prepare.

"I am so not a fan of red, white, and blue buttercream frosting after all of this." She had told her dad after the last night of baking together.

Heidi swung open her front door as they finished getting ready to meet the guys at the front of their apartment building. "You ready for boom's day?"

"Yes, but what I'm not ready for is the conversation I'm going to have with my boyfriend an hour later". Mina slid a jean jacket over her shoulder just in case it got cold tonight.

"I personally think you should give him a chance to make it up to you. Otherwise, it just proves his feelings for Barbara are greater than moving forward with you." Heidi's two cents made her think more about the pending conversation.

"Ok, we'll see..."

They stepped out of the elevator and onto the pavement of the entrance. They spotted Elijah's black jeep coming to a halt in front of them and waved. After they greeted each other, Xavier included, he informed them Danny would meet them there at the city's circle with his girlfriend. Apparently, they had something going on before the fireworks show.

It was a long hour before Mina and Elijah decided they should take off. Xavier and Heidi told them not to worry too much and joked that they would hang around until Danny got sick off them and left them on the curb.
"So...I'm sorry" he sighs, "everything that's happened, leaving for so long, hurting your feelings"

Mina sat on the sofa, feeling ready for the big question on her mind, "I know, but what I need to know is, do you still want to move on from Barbara?"

He choked on his words, not knowing what to say, "I- I.."

"If you need time or still think there's something there with her, then I want to know because I can't be on hold." Mina really couldn't put her love life on hold, and she especially didn't want to be his rebound girl.

"I don't want to hurt you, I really don't."

"There's a but coming," she chuckled half-heartedly.

"No, it's me, I can't get out of my own way." Elijah had to admit he was his own problem in this relationship.

"I see that, and I hope you do someday." she finally smiled and let out a breath. She was relieved this went so well.

He held out his hand for her and smiled back,"Friends?"

Being friends is the best choice for them right now. Who knows what might happen down the line. For the time being, he still has his gaze on her, even if he should actually be working on himself and what he needs. Mina didn't want that love triangle in her life.
"We kinda have to be friends if our best friends are 'together', in a way"

She laughed at his hand quotations on the word 'together', knowing exactly what he meant. "Yeah, but ya' know we would've been friends regardless, you got in a club fight for us."

He joined in her laughter, also remembering that night. "Respectfully thrown out, but yes."

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