The Unspoken Promise

Awkward Baking.

The kitchen buzzed with the comforting warmth of baking treats and laughter that came easily. Both families had crowded into the roomy, old-fashioned kitchen, with wooden beams overhead and a rustic brick oven in the corner that made it feel like a cozy cottage. The Bellington-Sinclair trip had become something of a tradition, an annual getaway where everyone could unwind, catching up on the lives of their close friends who had become almost family. And, as usual, they planned a baking night, filling the kitchen with flour, sugar, and chaos.

Vivienne was rolling out dough beside her mother, Cassandra, her focus a little too intense as she tried to ignore the thrill that curled in her stomach every time she looked up and saw Jace across the kitchen. He stood near the sink, mixing a bowl of chocolate batter, and every so often, she felt his eyes on her. But each time, she kept her gaze down, her cheeks tinged with pink as she fought to keep her smile hidden.

The only two who noticed, however, were Lydia and Sophia, who shared a mixing bowl at the other end of the counter. Lydia had been the one to catch Vivienne and Jace last night, wrapped up in a hushed moment that she knew wasn't just friendly. She hadn't been able to keep it to herself and had told Sophia in a hushed whisper later, and ever since, they had developed a silent language of glances and smirks to communicate their amusement—and mild horror.

But, for now, they kept the secret tucked between them, choosing to let the awkward atmosphere simmer, especially when they saw how Vivienne was struggling to keep her focus. Sophia shot Lydia a mischievous look, mouthing, "Watch this."

"So, Vivienne," Sophia piped up, keeping her tone light and innocent, "that dough you're rolling looks... a bit uneven. Are you distracted?" She raised her brows ever so slightly, her gaze drifting briefly to Jace, who was now looking over in their direction with mild confusion.

Vivienne's hands stilled, her cheeks coloring even deeper. She quickly cleared her throat, ducking her head. "Oh, I, uh... no, I'm just... maybe I need a little more flour on this side," she mumbled, desperately focusing on the dough as she scattered more flour than needed, her movements jerky.

Lydia had to bite back a grin, nudging Sophia with her elbow. Cassandra and Evangeline, too busy coordinating oven space, missed the entire exchange, but Nathaniel, who was standing nearby peeling apples, glanced over, sensing some strange undercurrent but choosing not to ask questions. He only chuckled, shaking his head as he resumed his task.

Jace's voice broke through the small silence that had fallen. "I think your dough looks great, Viv. Perfect, actually," he said, a bit louder than necessary, his own face faintly flushed as he shot her a smile. Vivienne finally allowed herself to glance his way, returning the smile softly.

"Thanks, Jace," she murmured, and though her voice was low, Lydia and Sophia caught the way her tone softened when she spoke to him, as if she were letting them in on a secret she didn't want anyone else to hear.

Sophia, sensing her moment, chimed in, "Isn't it interesting how you two are always working near each other? I mean, every time we bake, somehow you end up paired." She let the comment hang in the air, a playful glint in her eyes.

Jace stammered, clearly caught off-guard. "Oh, well, you know... team spirit and all that," he said, laughing a little too loudly before he hurriedly returned to his mixing. His mother, Evangeline, looked over with an amused smile, wondering if the kids were just having a bit too much sugar.

Meanwhile, Sophia watched her sister's faint blush and Jace's fidgeting with a satisfaction she couldn't hide. She leaned close to Lydia, her voice low enough for only her to hear. "So... think we should start taking bets on when they'll actually tell everyone?"

Lydia rolled her eyes. "Please, they're hopeless. We'll be grandparents before they admit anything."

Across the room, Sebastian interrupted, pulling out a tray of cookies from the oven and holding them up like a prize. "All right, everyone, the first batch is ready! Time for a taste test."

"Don't touch anything yet!" Cassandra warned, flapping her hands at him as she carefully transferred the cookies to a cooling rack. "Let them cool. If you eat them now, you'll burn your tongue, and that's no good for anyone!"

The lighthearted reprimand brought a chorus of laughter, and for a brief moment, the tension between Jace and Vivienne was forgotten. Everyone was too busy smelling the cookies, sneaking little pinches off the cooling desserts, and sharing jokes.

Lydia, however, wasn't quite done stirring the pot. As she and Sophia were frosting cupcakes, she leaned over and muttered loud enough for Jace to overhear, "So, Sophia, ever thought about baking with a special someone? You know... extra flour, sugar, maybe... a little chemistry?"

Sophia's eyes sparkled with mischief as she played along. "Oh, you mean like two people sneaking around the kitchen, trying to keep things quiet?"

Vivienne choked on a laugh, covering her mouth as she shot her sister a pleading look. Jace only scratched the back of his head, shifting uncomfortably, clearly wondering if Lydia and Sophia knew something but too unsure to say anything.

The parents, oblivious to the undercurrents, carried on with their tasks. Cassandra and Evangeline laughed as they sampled dough together, exchanging baking tips and memories, while Sebastian and Nathaniel washed dishes, all the while swapping family stories that had everyone groaning or laughing.

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Finally, as evening settled and the kitchen filled with the golden glow of dusk, everyone gathered around the large dining table, set with an assortment of cookies, pastries, and breads. The scents of cinnamon, vanilla, and chocolate hung thick in the air as everyone found a seat.

Jace and Vivienne ended up next to each other, a quiet excitement in their eyes that didn't go unnoticed by Lydia and Sophia, who exchanged another knowing look. Lydia, unable to resist, nudged Sophia, who stifled a laugh.

Vivienne cleared her throat, breaking the silence that had started to settle. "These cookies look amazing, Lydia. You outdid yourself."

"Oh, thanks, Vivienne," Lydia replied smoothly, giving her a sly smile. "You know, baking with the right person can really make things special."

Vivienne's blush deepened, and Jace glanced away, biting back a smile as he hid his face behind a napkin. Sophia raised her goblet of cider, trying to bring a semblance of normalcy back to the table.

"To family trips," she said, lifting her glass, her eyes twinkling as she cast a brief glance toward Jace and Vivienne. "And... shared secrets," she added, her voice teasing.

Everyone raised their glasses, and though most smiled without catching the double meaning, Jace and Vivienne exchanged a small, private smile before clinking their glasses. As they took sips and laughed over their desserts, the tension melted away, leaving just a sense of closeness and warmth—though Lydia and Sophia knew that this little secret would linger for a while, adding its own kind of spice to family gatherings.