The cake shop was bustling with people, but they lucked out and snagged an empty table. It boasted a charming atmosphere with feminine decorations. Zach and Calliso occupied seats next to each other, while Clair and Nally sat across the rectangular table. Jack occupied one end. Once they made their selections, Calliso signaled a waitress. All eyes turned to Clair when she ordered four different slices of cake. She caught their reactions and quipped, "What?"
"Are you sure you can handle all of that?" Zach asked, his tone laced with concern.
"They look amazing on the menu. I just have to find out," she replied.
"Let her enjoy herself," Calliso chimed in, addressing Zach's concern.
"Hey, Nal, how many slices did you go for?" Jacksen turned to her.
"Just one for me," she replied.
"If you hit your limit with those cakes, Clair, don't force it, just hand the rest over to me. I'll gladly step in and handle the situation." Jacksen offered with a grin.
Clair let out a soft chuckle as Calliso gave Jacksen a subtle nudge at his side.
"Sorry, Jacksen. They're all mine," Clair replied, smirking.
As their food arrived, they eagerly grabbed their forks and indulged in their chosen cakes. Nally couldn't help but notice everyone's eyes fixed on Clair as she savored each plate of cake, finishing them off one after another.
"Looks like those cakes didn't stand a chance with you," Jacksen remarked.
"I'd rate this place an eight," she said, dabbing her lips lightly with a napkin.
"Only an eight?" Zach questioned.
"Yeah, the cakes weren't evenly sliced," she explained.
They chuckled, except for Nally. They stayed at the cake shop for nearly two hours. Clair felt as though she belonged in their world, relishing in the simple joys like a teenager. For a brief moment, she forgot about her true identity and the burdens she carried.
"Man, that was good," Jacksen said as they stepped out of the shop. "We should definitely do this again. So, Clair, what are you thinking for our next food trip?"
"Next time, it's on me. How about we give hotpot a go?" she suggested.
"That would go down nicely with some beer," Jacksen said with a grin.
"Can Zach handle alcohol now?" she asked, turning her gaze toward him.
Jacksen and Calliso exchanged snickers.
"He's no less of a man if he can't handle his drink," Nally chimed in.
The laughter from Jacksen and Calliso ceased.
"That's all right, Nal. It doesn't bother me if I can't," Zach assured her.
Clair glanced at them, a smile playing on her lips. Surprisingly, she didn't feel a hint of jealousy. Perhaps it was a positive sign that she could manage her emotions when it came to matters of the heart. As they approached the crosswalk, she stopped.
YOU ARE READING
Divine & Wicked: The Strayed Memories (Book2)
Fantasy(Fantasy•Romance) COMPLETED Zach awoke a few days after his surgery, his mind foggy and his heart empty, as though his life had been reset. He moved through what he believed was his normal routine, unaware that fragments of a forgotten past were slo...
