JUNIPER'S POV:
If I have a choice, I'd be at home, cocooned in blankets, reading a smut novel where someone else's life falls apart instead of mine. Anything but dragging myself to the Smiths' bakery, working long hours just to scrape by. But bills don't pay themselves.
Cillian used to handle that, back when I thought he wasn't an ass. I was grateful to him then. He made me feel like I didn't have to struggle. As though he cared about me, but now, I'd rather choke on broken glass than crawl back to him.
How can I kiss those lying lips? Knowing they've touched Susan. Every time I shut my eyes, I see them together, and I still feel that betrayal burn under my skin like a fresh wound. Kissing him would be like kissing her, and she is a snake.
"What the hell?" My pulse quickens as I glance in the rearview mirror, my grip tightening on the steering wheel as I see Hiram driving behind me.
What does he want? I question myself, but then I let off a sigh as I try to keep my eyes on the road. He made his intentions clear, and I have come to terms with it, so why won't he just-
Suddenly, the blaring sound of a car horn snaps me out of my thoughts. My heart leaps into my throat as I slam on the brakes just in time to avoid hitting the Tesla truck in front of me. My car jerks violently, and I grip the steering wheel so hard my knuckles turn white.
"Shit!" I mutter as the driver in front rolls down their glasses, muttering some words, which I try to blur out of my ears. This is just what I need, almost going into debt with a crazy Tesla owner and Hiram behind me.
As soon as the driver moves, I continue down the road, ridding my mind of Hiram. Soon, I pull up in front of the Smiths' bakery, taking in the sight of its small, charming storefront. I step out of my car, and I see Hiram pull into the car park, too, but I do not stop. I make my way to the door, which has a wooden sign painted in cheerful pastels, the word "Smith's Bakery." above it.
Pushing the door open, I am greeted by the familiar face of my college best friend's mum, Sally Smith, who has a huge smile hanging on her lips as she beckons me to come over to her by the counter. My stomach rumbles as the smell of freshly baked pastries attack my nostrils, and I feel my mouth watering.
"Good afternoon, Mrs. Smith," I say to the lady in front of me, who has little bits of grey hair lined on her black hair.
"Thank goodness you are here, Juniper. I have a special delivery to make this evening, and I don't know how this tastes," she says, bringing a spoon full of cake to my mouth, which I open at once. I can never say no to Sally Smith's baking because they are the best.
As soon as the cake sits in my mouth, I try to savour the taste, but the small ring of the bell which hangs above the door drags my attention to Hiram, who is standing inside the bakery.
"A customer!" Sally exclaims, her eyes lighting up. Then she leans in close. "A handsome one at that."
When she says this, I glance at Hiram, who takes a seat in a corner, then I roll my eyes.
"Go see what he wants," she says, and I groan inwardly as I grab an apron from the shelves, throwing it on. I grab a notepad on the counter.
I try to steady my steps on my way to the table, pushing away the thoughts of what happened in his study. He is bad news, and he has a part in ruining my day multiple times. But the more I walk, I feel my legs fail me as he won't stop staring at me with those gorgeous blue eyes of his. Finally, I make it to his table.
"Can I get you something, sir?" I question, taking out the notepad from the pocket of my apron.
"Sir? Why being so formal?" he questions, sending a tiny wave of anger through me, which makes me glance back to see that Mrs. Smith has gone to the kitchen to check the oven. "What are you doing working here? And are you okay from the traffic in…"
"Not everyone is rich like you, Hiram, and I am working to pay my bills, so please order what you want, eat, and leave like every customer." I cut him short, my brows crumpling. "Why are you even here? You disgraced me in class by glaring at me, and letting everyone think 'oh, she is fucking the professor,' then you follow me to my workplace."
"But you would want to," he says, and I feel my veins boiling hotter than a volcano on its way to eruption.
"Don't flatter yourself, Hiram. I'm not interested," I reply, knowing I am unsure of myself, but his confidence is infuriating.
In a swift movement, he reaches out, grabbing my hand, and brushing his thumb over my skin. We are inches apart, and I can feel his breath on my cheek.
"Are you sure about that?"
I can feel my pulse pounding in my ears as the distance between us disappears, and for a moment, the world outside fades away. I am back in that position where I cannot tell what he is doing to me, and my entire body stops functioning.
His lips touch my cheek, and he works his way towards my lips, but Sally walks back into the room, her cheerful voice breaking the tension.
"Juniper! I need you to-" She pauses, glancing between us with wide eyes, and I pull my hand back at once.
"Uh, just… taking his order," I stammer, stepping back to regain my composure.
"Just get me some cupcakes," he whispers, then I grab my notepad and make my way back to the counter.
"Good, but I wanted to remind you of the delivery, and I will be leaving now. I do not think I will make it back in time, so you might have to close up for the day. I trust you can do that," she says, and I nod.
"Thank you for giving me back my job here, Mrs. Smith," I say, and a smile spreads across her lips.
"Rhea will be glad to have you back when she returns from her trip," she says, and I force a smile, trying to wipe away the moment that unfolded about a minute ago.
But as I glance at Hiram, he has his signature smirk on his lips.
"June…" Sally calls out again, driving my attention home.
Fuck! This man will get me fired someday.
"I will be leaving now," she says, and I nod as I watch her leave with the perfectly packaged cake in a carton while I keep myself busy with Hiram's order.
When I am done, I serve him, and to my greatest surprise, he doesn't say a thing or try to hold me back. More customers walk in, and I try to keep my mind on them, taking their orders, but I cannot help but notice Hiram sit quietly in that corner hour after hour, doing nothing but looking at his phone.
I am curious to know why he is here, but I cannot leave my work. Soon, the sun sets, and the day is replaced with the darkness of the night. The last customer walks out, and I walk out of the counter.
"I am about to close," I say, and he looks up, then he looks around the store before he shrugs at me, mouthing the words, "Finish up."
I ignore him and walk to the door, hanging the "closed" sign. He gets up from his seat, then he makes his way to the restroom while I walk around, trying to clear the tables. At that moment, I hear the store bell rattle, and I turn around to see him...