Happen in a Heartbeat - Ricky Wilson fanfic

Chapter Two

I took my break once the coffee bar turned quiet, making myself a vanilla latte and sitting in my favourite seat by the window. The rain still hadn't stopped. The grey clouds outside made it look like it was evening. But I loved the sound of the rain hitting the window. The constant drops took me back to a time where I loved the rain more than the sun. I blinked to clear my eyes. I had to pull myself together; it had been five years, and I needed to get over it at some point.

I sipped my coffee, and smiled at the scent of the cake that was baking - traditional chocolate, the bestseller. I had to make two on Thursdays, to keep them going until I was back in at work on Sunday. Apparently, nobody could bake it like I could.

The door opened, letting a cold wind blow in.

'So, do you have a twin, or is this just a really small world?' A voice said.

I looked up, and saw the guy from the bookshop yesterday. He looked different today - he was dry and held a black dripping umbrella.

I sighed and smiled. 'Just a small world, I guess.' I laughed lightly, standing up. 'Hey, at least you have your umbrella today.'

He smiled, leaning his umbrella against the table I had been sat at. 'I actually looked out of the window today before leaving.' He said.

I brushed past him to stand behind the counter. I brushed my hands on my apron, creating a cloud of flour from when I made the cake.

'Just an Americano,' he said, and started fishing around in his pocket for the change.

'Don't worry. Have it on the house.' I replied. I was grateful for the company for once. Working on your own gets boring after a while.

I picked up a cup and then looked back up at him. His eyes were softly staring at me, and they were so blue, so much like... no. I wasn't going there. I wasn't going to let myself think about that. It had been five years and a day. I had to let it lie. I spun around so I wouldn't see him, and made his coffee. I took a deep breath, reminding myself to act normal, and not let anything get to me. Then I turned around and passed it to him.

I brushed from behind the counter and went to sit back down with my coffee. It didn't matter when there was only the one customer in. The man followed me, and sat down at the same table.

'You don't mind, do you?' He asked.

I shook my head. 'Molly.' I held out my hand to him.

'Rick', he replied, and shook it. 'So, two jobs in two very different places.' He observed, looking out of the window.

I shrugged, and he looked at me smiling again. I quickly changed my attention to out of the window, not wanting to see his eyes again. 'It's what I have to do to make ends meet.' I sighed. 'And it keeps me busy.'

'From what?' He questioned.

I tensed, and my barriers went up. 'Things.' I replied vaguely, not looking towards him. I took another sip from my coffee.

The timer went off, and I nervously jumped up and walked towards the oven. I took the cake out, and my stomach growled at the smell of it.

'Want a slice?' I asked him, and he nodded. I cut two and took them over.

'How's Jane Eyre?' I asked him, smiling. I couldn't help but poke fun at his choice of book.

Rick nodded, his mouth full of cake. I laughed at his comical face. 'It's actually not too bad.' He finally said. 'And this cake is the best I've had in a while.'

He smiled at me, and I couldn't escape it this time. Those blue eyes. They were exactly the same, and that's all I could see.

***

The smell of fresh sheets was strong and perfumed. I opened my eyes to see Luke lying beside me, his ocean blue eyes open, a soft smile on his face. His eyes were the brightest I'd ever seen, and I was head-over-heels in love with them. And him.

'Morning,' he whispered, taking hold of my hand under the covers. I smiled and closed my eyes again, savouring the moment. Savouring the smells, the warmth, the crisp sheets and the feeling of his body against mine.

I'm sorry Luke. I'm so, so sorry.

***

'Hey, you okay?' Rick was sat next to me now, his hand on my shoulder. I flinched from his touch, pulling myself away from him. I wiped the tears from my face with the back of my hand. I hadn't even realised I was crying.

I laughed nervously. 'Sorry,' I said. 'God, this is embarrassing.' I picked up my coffee, and took a sip.

Rick stood up and went back to the seat he was in before. 'I think that's a record for me, making someone cry on the second time I've seen them.' He joked.

I smiled. 'It's not you.' I replied, feeling bad.

We sat in awkward silence for a few minutes.

'Are you back at the bookshop tomorrow?' He asked.

I nodded. 'Unfortunately so.'

'How do you feel about me taking you to eat somewhere when you finish? It's just a place that does cake just like this. And really good food.' He nervously rambled.

'Well, I would but-'

'What else are you going to do? Come on, I'll pay. Don't make me beg.' he laughed.

'Fine,' I sighed, smiling. It was the blue eyes.

I closed up half an hour later, both of us walking our separate ways. I made it to my flat, and saw the police car outside.

It's been five freaking years. And it was still going on.