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"Maybe. But that's..." She shrugged. "Even if I hadn't just lost David, I've never considered dating another woman. I'm flattered, of course, though." Claire quickly brushed thoughts of Eva aside. "C'mon, I want to show you this adorable antique store I found yesterday too. Then we can go to the docks and spend some time by the water."
Julia nodded, following as Claire led the way down the street toward the antique store. As they walked, Claire couldn't help but replay the conversation with Eva over and over in her head. She couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more there, something she couldn't quite put her finger on. Maybe it simply was that Eva was interested in her.
The idea of dating a woman had never occurred to her before, but she wasn't opposed to the idea. After all, there was nothing wrong with it. She was also kind and compassionate, and her laugh was contagious. Still, the timing felt wrong. It was too soon after losing David. She needed more time. She hoped that Eva would understand, and that they could still be friends. That was, assuming that Eva had been interested in her at all and it wasn’t just her imagination and Julia’s teasing.
Chapter Eight
Eva busied herself rolling out sugar cookie dough in the kitchen while thoughts of Claire's return visit lingered at the edges of her mind. She sprinkled flour across the counter, trying to focus on preparing the next batch of treats and definitely not on Claire. She was just a customer, she tried to remind herself, nothing more. But Claire had been so nice and friendly, not to mention easy on the eyes. She couldn't deny that she was attracted to her, but it was too soon since Liz and she wasn’t ready for a rebound relationship just yet.
But despite her best efforts, Eva couldn't ignore the persistent smile tugging at her lips whenever she pictured Claire's wavy hair and enchanting eyes. There was just something magnetic about her that Eva found hard to resist. She shook her head, trying to clear the thoughts of Claire from her mind. She needed to focus on work. The last thing she wanted was to get distracted and mess up an order. Besides, Claire was most likely straight, and probably not looking for anything serious right now anyway. Her husband had just died after all.
As Eva used cookie cutters to transform the dough into fun shapes, she considered what Claire's reappearance could mean. Was she reading too much into it? After all, Sweet Delights was becoming a popular neighborhood spot. Maybe Claire simply enjoyed the pastries. Maybe she just craved sugar.
She scolded herself for acting like a teenage girl with a crush, but she couldn't deny how happy it made her seeing Claire sitting in her bakery again.
As Eva scooped the shaped cookie dough onto baking trays, her mind kept straying back to Claire chatting and laughing with her sister in the front seating area. The musical sound of Claire's laughter filtered into the kitchen, making Eva unconsciously smile to herself.
She shook her head, trying to remain focused on the task at hand. But it was useless - thoughts of getting to know Claire better persisted no matter how intently Eva tried arranging the unbaked cookies on the sheets.
As the cookies baked, Eva wiped her hands on a nearby towel and peeked her head into the seating area. Claire and her sister had left. That was probably for the best though. Eva really didn’t need that kind of a distraction today.
Michael popped his head into the kitchen. "The cookies are looking great!" he said. "They smell amazing too. I'm sure Claire will love them."
Eva felt her cheeks flush at his knowing grin. "You're imagining things," she insisted weakly. "I'm just being friendly to a new customer."
"Uh huh, sure," Michael replied with skepticism. "All I know is I haven't seen you this excited by someone in a long time." His expression softened. "It's nice to see you happy again."
Eva brushed the comment off with forced casualness, not ready to confront the spark of possibility Claire had ignited within her. She slid the cookie trays into the hot oven, hoping the conversation would end there.
But deep down, a voice whispered that just maybe, after so much hurt, she was finally ready to feel again.
She told that voice to quiet down and get back to work.
As Eva closed the oven door, Michael leaned back against the counter beside her.
"I'm happy for you, that's all," he said gently. "After everything with Liz, you deserve someone who will treat you right."
Eva tensed slightly at the mention of her ex. The hurt was still so raw, she had trouble imagining opening herself up to potential heartbreak again so soon.
“I don't even know Claire," Eva replied with a sad smile. "This little crush is probably just a rebound distraction from the breakup anyway. I doubt it'll lead to anything real."
Michael shook his head firmly. "Don't sell yourself short, Eva. What you and Liz had clearly wasn't healthy by the end. But that doesn't mean you aren't worthy of real love."
Eva crossed her arms with a pensive sigh. As much as she felt drawn to Claire, the lingering pain from Liz's betrayal held her back. She wasn't sure she could survive being hurt so profoundly again.
"Let's just be friendly neighbors for now," Eva finally said. "Once I finish healing, who knows? But I'm not ready to leap into anything serious yet."
Michael nodded in understanding.
When was the last time she had felt such an instinctive connection with someone? If Eva was being honest with herself, she hadn't experienced this giddy rush of intrigue since the early days with Liz.
But the sting of Liz's betrayal gave her pause. As drawn as Eva felt to Claire, she worried history could repeat itself. What if these feelings faded and she was left heartbroken again?
Still, the prospect of nurturing even just a friendship with Claire appealed to Eva. Perhaps by taking things slow and keeping her at arm's length for now, Eva could gradually open herself to love once more when the time was right. That was, assuming of course, that Claire returned her interest at all.
The oven timer jolted Eva from her thoughts. She slipped on mitts and removed the tray of perfectly baked cookies, breathing in their sweet aroma.
Eva carefully placed the warm cookies on a rack to cool, then turned to face Michael. "I appreciate your encouragement, but I think I just need time," she said.
