Mialotte: Eternal Sweethearts

38. He likes me?

A/N: I have been so tired recently, ngl though, writing been pulling me through it. PLEASE who is rereading Chapter 7 😭😭 it has significantly more views than the other chapters surrounding it and it is HILARIOUS to me. My friend actually pointed out to me and I couldn't help but giggle. Random but yeah. This is another Carly chapter. I have to admit there are a few pre-written chapters I am so excited to publish soon!

Please refrain from reading if food relationships are a sensitive topic for you, Carly and Reece have a short moment together about picking lunch.

= A continuation of "33. Carly's Guards." Jake, the relatively new apprentice, has something he wants to tell Carly, will the shy young man muster up the courage to speak up?

Char was dealing with a particularly hectic morning. Sorscha had taken another few days off, to take care of Clodagh, and with the due date being in a few weeks, it was all hands on deck. Without her Irish companion to be there with such busy morning shift drop-offs, Charlotte had reluctantly agreed to let Marjorie step in to assist her.

Honestly, Char didn't know if she regretted asking Marjorie for help, part of her thought that she might have actually gotten drop-offs done quicker if she was working alone. That even being a possibility was incredibly embarrassing for Charlotte to think about.

The manager had spent so long in her office, that other than remembering the children's names and minor details about them from the incident forms she'd have to sign. It was very clear that Marjorie had no idea what she was doing. So much so, that every few minutes she'd need Charlotte's help, she would shoot her a sympathetic glance, silently apologising for her incompetence.

Meanwhile, in a much calmer environment, Carly and Reece were thinking of trying a new meal deal for the upcoming week. Reece signalled for Carly to bring a chair over to sit next to him by the computer.

"Come. Let's look together."

Carly shuffled over with the chair, and pulled her jumper down slightly before sitting. Reece noticed, but didn't comment on it.

Carly began blurting her ideas for the sandwich they should pick: "So... I was thinking!"

Reece snorted at her, "Wow Carly. That must've been super hard."

She pushed the tall man, with very clearly not enough brute force to move him. "Oiiii, that's so mean Reece. Anywayyy, chicken stuffing is off limits. I refuse."

"I'll agree with you on that one, chicken stuffing isn't my favourite." "Take a look at some of the options on here if you want," He pointed at his computer.

He whipped his phone out, sending Marjorie a quick text to see how she was getting on, she hadn't messaged him yet, which was unusual.

Of course, what the blonde was none the wiser about was that his girlfriend was knees deep into work, she wasn't good at, at all.

Carly took the mouse and began to scroll, looking at the options. Her eyes darted across the screen, taking in the variety of sandwiches. But as she scanned through the list, a familiar anxiety began to creep in. She knew it was just a simple task, picking a sandwich, yet it felt like a minefield. The nutrition counts, the ingredients, the hidden fears all lined up behind each option.

Reece noticed her hesitation. "What about the BLT?" he suggested, trying to keep the mood light.

Carly's heart raced as she saw the tomatoes, the lettuce, the bread. "Uh, maybe," she said, her voice wavering slightly. She clicked on the BLT, then quickly moved on to another option. "Or, maybe the tuna mayo?"

Reece watched her with a gentle concern. "Tuna mayo sounds good. But remember, it's just lunch, Carly. We don't have to overthink it."

Carly forced a smile, appreciating his attempt to ease her tension. "Yeah, I know," she replied, though inside she felt the familiar tug of her anxiety surrounding the subject. The constant battle of feeling trapped by the fear of losing control.