Love Is Messy, Love Is Sweet

Chapter 7

"How did you know it was me that had your phone if you didn't snoop on my pictures?" I questioned him as the meeting was finishing up and the groups were dispersing and heading home for the night.

"You were the only one who bumped into me and we dropped our phones..." Lucas stated the obvious and I wanted to kick myself for asking it like that and making myself sound stupid.

"Ok, but that doesn't explain how you knew where I worked?"

"Well, I actually already knew who you were when you came barging in my coffee shop," he admitted with a shy smile.

"You-you did?"

"Yeah...I've kept tabs on you ever since you opened up your bakery actually." He kept his head down low as if embarrassed but something nagging in my stomach spoke for me.

"You ARE trying to ruin me! You're stealing my customers and making french pastries a block away from me! What did I EVER do to you?" I barked at him going off of my instincts.

"Woah! Woah! Woah! What? Nothing! Ruin you? Is that what you think I'm doing?" He threw his hands over his head defensively as he called me out and I already started to flush in embarrassment that my instincts might be wrong.

"Look, I'm sorry if some of your customers have ventured over to me but all I did was open up a coffee shop and bistro. I wanted to do it a long time ago but life got in the way and delayed me a bit. You...I've always envied you and your success. You're strong, driven, and passionate about what you do...and I've known that without even having to have met you." He went on with his speech and each word made me feel more and more sick inside at how awful he must think I am now that he actually has met me.

"And Margie, she and my parents go way back so when she heard about my coffee shop finally opening, she just wanted to show her support but every time she comes in, she doesn't stop raving about you." Lucas finished with his head shyly down and his hands in his pockets.

"O-Oh...I...I didn't know all that...I'm-I'm sorry, really sorry actually for...everything." I felt embarrassed and ashamed at how horrible I've acted towards him since the moment I met him.

He envied me? I've never heard anyone say that to me before.

"So that's where all this hostility and hatred stems from?" he questioned with a smirk on his face.

"I-I I'm so embarrassed and completely sorry for how I've acted. It's not like me. And I don't hate you."

"It's ok, you're just passionate. Wouldn't expect anything less from you." He extends his arm for a handshake with a beautiful smile on his face.

"How about we wipe the slate clean and start over? I'm Lucas Wilde."

"I'm Sydney Wylde. Nice to meet you," I replied with a sincere smile as I shook his hand.

"Nice to meet you, Sydney."

The meeting was over and we put on our coats and walked out of the town hall together and into the fiercely cold winter air.

"So I have to ask, Sydney," Lucas said, breaking the silence between us as we walked. "I heard you have nude pictures of yourself on your phone, can I see them?"

I burst out laughing with rosy cheeks and he laughed along with me until I could compose myself to answer.

"No! I deleted them the minute I saw them!"

"Ahh damn, that's a shame!"

"I guess you missed your chance by being a gentleman."

"Yeah...I'll remember that next time," he added, making me laugh again.

"So, ummm, we should set some time aside to practice together, you know if we want to win this thing."

"We HAVE to win this thing! I'll do whatever it takes!"

"Alright then, swing by my shop on Friday after hours and we can practice."

"Ok, I'll see you Friday then," I said as the butterflies started to flutter in my stomach again.

***

"Oh my God! He said he kept tabs on you since you opened up the patisserie!" Naomi repeated what I had told her as we had a girls night drinking wine in my apartment.

"Yup! And he said he envied me for my passion and success!" I continued spilling everything to her, still wrapping my head around his unbelievable confession.

"Oh my God! That's like...romantic! He likes you, Sydney!" Naomi exclaimed, taking another sip sounding all giddy.

"Oh please! He does not! I've been nothing but a complete bitch to him! Why on earth would he like me?"

"Well, he said himself he can see why with how Passionate you are!" she stated her point with a certain swooning tone but I couldn't help roll my eyes to suppress the smile that wanted to creep through.

"No, it's just a working relationship. We both want to win the competition. It would be a huge opportunity for our businesses, that's all this is."

"Do you like him?" Naomi came out and bluntly asked, getting more comfortable on my couch tucking her legs under her knees.

"What!"

"Oh come on! Do you like him?" she asked again.

I let out a laugh because I was having trouble speaking and coming up with an answer in time, but it was too late.

"Oh my God! You do, don't you? I knew it!"

"No, you didn't!"

"YES! Yes, I did! I've seen you upset and hostile many times before but this guy brought out a whole new level to you. And it's because you're attracted to him!"

"Ok fine! Yes! He's cute! And by cute, I am mean drool-worthy hot! But I don't even know him and we have to WORK together! AND reasons seven, eight, nine, and ten: I don't want to get involved in another relationship that I know will go NOWHERE!"

"Sydney!" she said in her pleading voice and I knew right away where this was heading!

"Naomi! What about the Abigail and Sophie we saw on his phone hound him all day long, huh?"

"He said he was as single as they come!" she defended him cluelessly while I rolled my eyes for the millionth time.

"Give the guy the benefit of the doubt. I'm telling you one of these days you're going to find someone that changes your outlook on love!"

"My parents were total opposites, Naomi, and so is this guy so he's already not off to a very good start!"

"Well, I'm hoping for a Christmas miracle then!" holding her glass up like a toast and taking another gulp of wine.