Girl on the Bench [Completed]

Bella's Bakes

Rosa

I'd woken up early and, instead of trying to get back to sleep, I'd gotten up. I didn't need to open the shop up until 12 but I was still so angry at my Dad that I knew I could blow off steam by doing some baking.

I loved cooking but baking, to me, was like a trip down memory lane. Mum had always baked and every memory I have of her involves baking. She'd opened her own tearoom and, despite its odd location, it was constantly full of people wanting something to eat and somewhere to chat. She'd taught me to bake before I could even walk and I remember sitting in my high chair with a bowl in front of me as she showed me how to mix everything together.

"Baking is a comfort. We are giving people comfort, in a world where nothing is ever comfortable." She told me repeatedly. I'd laugh at her and her simple belief that something like a cake could make people feel better.

I opened the door to the shop and made my way into the kitchen. Even when Dad had started using drugs again or when Mum had gotten sick, she was always here. Baking. Hoping that she could bring comfort to be people.

I felt tears form and blinked them back furiously. I pulled my hair up away from my face and soon got lost in a mixture of flour, sugar and buttercream. The middle of the week was always busy and so it was better safe to have a couple of extra cakes as a back up.

The first vanilla sponge was in the oven when I heard someone calling out. I stopped and stayed still. Who was in here? I'd closed the door behind me hadn't I? I furrowed my brow in concentration, had I locked the door?

I wiped my hands on my apron and picked up the first thing I laid my hands on. Slowly, I crept towards the door that led into the tearoom and listened. There was silence. Had I imagined it?

I crept forward and opened the door slightly, nothing. Pushing it open, I stood behind the counter and looked out. The door was open. I muttered to myself, walked around the glass cabinet that held the cakes and made my way to the door.

"Hi," a throaty voice said to my right.

I screamed, spinning around and waved my arms in the direction of the voice.

"Stay back! I have a.." I looked down and froze. A whisk?

I heard a laugh and looked up only for the laugh to break off abruptly. It was him. The guy from last night. His dark eyes were open wide and his eyebrows raised slightly. He had his hands held up in front of him and, even though I had just scared myself to bits, he was still really cute. I blushed.

"Sorry, I... I thought I'd locked the door." I explained lowering my arms to my side.

He smiled, a toothy grin that stretched from ear to ear. It was the best smile I'd ever seen. My stomach dropped at the sight of it.

"It's ok, it was open but the sign said closed. I wasn't sure what to do but I really needed coffee and," he sniffed the air, "whatever that is smells amazing."

"Actually we don't open til 12 but since I just tried to whisk you to death, I'm sure I can manage something." I moved away back behind the counter and ran the coffee machine through a cycle. As it warmed, I gestured to the cakes.

"The one in the oven isn't ready yet but you can choose from these if you like?" I offered.

He walked over and I could see the definition in his arms through his grey jumper. I felt myself blush again. He looked closely at me then stretched his hand out across towards me. I paused, then took it.

"I figured since this is the second time I've seen you and the second time I've given you a scare, it's only fair you know my name," he said. "I'm Dominic."

I shook his hand, feeling the callouses like last night then let go, "I'm Rosa."

He frowned in confusion, "Oh, I thought you were Bella?"

"That was my Mum's name." I said bluntly. I turned and heated up some water.

"What would you like?"

"Uh, a black coffee. Large please. And I'll take a slice of...the lemon cake."

"Ok, take a seat and I'll bring it over."

I heard him walk away and a chair being dragged out. I leant down, switched on some music and finished making his coffee. I placed a thick slice of the cake on a plate and took it over to him. He sat and watched me.

I put it down and made to move away.

"Aren't you going to eat with me?" He asked.

"Um,no." I felt myself blush. Why did I always have to be so blunt?

He raised an eyebrow in surprise then took a bite of the cake. He made an appreciative noise and ,whilst he was eating, I moved back behind the safety of the cabinets and the counter.

"So where's your mum?" He asked though a mouthful of cake.

"Didn't anyone ever tell you it was rude to talk with your mouth full?" I asked before I could help myself. I could already almost imagine Sophia hitting me with her bag when I told her about this.

He choked and burst out laughing, "Sorry!"

I couldn't help it, his laughter was infectious. I laughed with him. He grinned at me then took a gulp of coffee.

"Sorry," I apologised. "I can be a bit blunt at times. My Mum passed away five years ago. I own this place but it's still hers really."

Dominic nodded and took another bite of cake. I tidied up and heard the plate being put down on the counter.

"That was great, thanks." Dominic smiled at me. He put his hands in his pockets but I protested.

"No, it's on me. Not the cake. I mean, it's on the house. The cake isn't actually on me.."I trailed off helplessly.

Dominic grinned again.

Stop it, I ordered myself silently. You are an adult and he is just a guy. Now be a grown up. Ok he's gorgeous and has a dimple in his cheek when he smiles. But so do loads of guys. Like those ones in Hollywood...

Dominic leaned forward and rested his arms on top of the cabinet. He looked at me with an odd expression on his face.

"Are you here most days?" He asked.

"I'm usually in the kitchen, I tend to make less of a fool of myself in front of inanimate objects."

"It was nice to see you again, Rosa." Dominic opened his mouth to say something else then closed it. He waved then turned and left, closing the door behind him.

I walked over to the table Dominic had sat at and picked up his cup. I felt a slight pinch of dismay that he hadn't asked for my number. Not that I'd thought he been flirting with me but something felt...strange with him. Did I want to see him again? I found it difficult to read him. I reached over and grabbed the napkin, maybe it has been so long since Chris that I've actually forgotten what flirting is.

I noticed a mark on the napkin just before I put it in the bin and opened it. On it was a telephone number and underneath;

Just in case you ever want to meet without me give you a scare beforehand. Dominic