Essence: A Green Mountain Novella by Liz Hart

Author:Liz Hart [Hart, Liz]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romance
Published: 2019-03-12T04:00:00+00:00

9

Throughout the kitchen, smells of lemon trickled through the air. Fresh, clean, biting, with hints of sweetness. Billie loved the smell of lemons, probably more than most smells. It had been a while since she’d made lemon tarts for the bakery, but after several requests as of late, she decided to attempt again. By the smell of it, it seemed to be going according to plan. While they baked in the oven, Billie swept the floors and wiped down counters. Across the room, Alex worked at her usual table, clicking away on her computer and thumbing through paperwork.

The thought of her brought Billie’s attention upward in her direction. It had been four days since Alex’s outburst. They’d been cordial to one another, but it had been awkward to say the least. With the way things had went down, Billie was certain there was something going on with Alex. There was something weird going on with Billie too, that she couldn’t quite put a finger on. The woman was so nice, and they seemed to get along so well. Billie often times forgot that Alex was there threatening her livelihood.

Yet, every time Billie would look at her, her hands would get a little clammy and her thoughts would be in disarray. It was hard to talk to her, let alone focus on her for too long. Both of them had grown a little more awkward than usual, but it was finally starting to calm down a little as the week drew on. Still, in quiet moments like these, she couldn’t help but wonder. In any regard, Billie had found a friend in her. She was a nice person.

Alex’s attention drifted up and they met eyes, before both looking away. Billie finished sweeping the floor and then pulled the tarts from the oven. They were a perfect golden brown, the center just toasted slightly. And the smell—Billie could smell it all day long. The crisp aroma of the citrus blending with the buttery flakey crust. Once she’d sat it down on the counter, she waved her hand over it, wafting the smell in her direction.

“That smells really good.” A voice broke the quiet in the room. Billie looked up to see Alex, her bag slung over her shoulder, looking as if she was ready to leave.

Billie acted before she could think twice about it. “Can you stay for a little longer?” It sounded weird when she’d had a chance to think about it, so she elaborated. “I want to show you something. I just need a minute to put these up.” Alex gave her an odd look, but she didn’t argue. Billie worked quickly, putting the tarts on their cooling racks. Once she’d stored the broom and the dustpan, she clapped her hands together. Billie went to the mini fridge in the back of the restaurant and fetched a six-pack of Guinness beers and held them up to Alex. “I hope you’ll at least drink a beer.”

While she was expecting a sharp ‘no’ from Alex, Billie was surprised when she shrugged.

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