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Just then, Eva came over, having heard part of their conversation during a lull.
"Everything okay over here?" she asked, glancing between them.
"Just discussing narrow-minded perspectives," Michael replied with a sardonic grin.
Eva rolled her eyes knowingly. "Let me guess - Peter was spouting his typical nonsense? I figured, since you're here and accepting of us, that you may have a run in with him sooner or later. If you're friends with us it's hard to be friends with him too, even as just your neighbor."
"You got it," Claire confirmed, frustrated. "I don't understand people like him."
"Oh honey, don't even get me started," Eva said with a dry laugh, patting Claire's shoulder. "But, as Michael said, we just live our lives proudly. The Peters of the world can't stop us."
Michael gave Claire a wink. "Besides, it's not all bad around here. We have the support of people like you."
Just then, the bell over the bakery door chimed as a few customers entered.
"Duty calls," Eva said with a smile. "But we should all get dinner sometime soon." She gave Claire's arm a quick, supportive squeeze before heading back behind the counter.
"I'd love that," Claire replied warmly. After exchanging a friendly goodbye with Michael, she gathered her things and stepped back out into the morning sun, feeling optimistic despite the lingering frustration from her run-in with Peter.
The morning sun shone down on Claire as she walked home, feeling rejuvenated after the visit to Sweet Delights. Seeing Eva and Michael's upbeat resilience had lifted her spirits.
As she approached her cottage, Claire was relieved to see no sign of Peter next door. His pickup truck was gone from the driveway.
Unlocking her front door, Claire stepped into the cozy entryway. Daisy wound around her ankles, meowing a greeting.
"Hey sweetie, did you miss me?" Claire cooed, bending down to scratch the cat behind her ears. Daisy purred contently in response.
After giving Daisy some fresh food and water, Claire gathered her painting supplies and brought them out to the porch. She breathed in the floral scents wafting from her rambling garden.
Glancing over at Peter and Abby's yard, she noticed Abby visible through the window over the kitchen sink. Claire gave a friendly wave. Abby looked up from the dish she was washing and waved back with a bubbly smile.
Chapter Twenty
Eva was just getting ready to close up Sweet Delights for the evening when the phone rang. "Hello?" she answered, hoping it wasn't someone wanting an order for tonight when they had already been closed for an hour.
"Hey Eva, it's Claire. I'm sorry, I don't have your number so I was hoping that you might still be there. I wanted to see if you'd be interested in coming over for dinner tonight? I'm trying out a new pasta recipe and would love for you to be my taste tester." She hesitated. "If you're not busy of course."
Eva couldn't keep a huge smile from spreading across her face. "That sounds amazing, I'd love to," she replied. "Should I bring anything?"
"Just yourself and your appetite," said Claire with a laugh. "Maybe around 6 pm, that's only an hour from now. Is that too soon?"
"Not at all, I'll be right there. And I know where you live. You're just down the street with the garden. It's hard to miss."
Claire chuckled. "That's the one."
"I'll see you soon. Thank you for the invite."
"Anytime, I can't wait to cook for you."
After hanging up with Claire, Eva tidied up the bakery kitchen quickly, excited energy propelling her.
At home, she took a speedy shower, wanting to look and feel fresh. After debating her outfit options, she decided on a floral sundress that managed to be both casual and flattering. And, she had never worn it for Liz. Her ex liked her in leggings and tight jeans, which was fine, but dinner with Claire felt like a date, even if it wasn't officially one, and Eva wanted to look nice.
She wrapped up the olive oil honey loaf in parchment paper and cloth, tying it with some twine. It would be perfect with any type of pasta, and she wasn't one to come to dinner without a gift.
The sun was just starting to sink toward the horizon as Eva drove, casting the street in a warm golden glow befitting the happiness bubbling up inside her. Soon she spotted the charming cottage with Claire's beloved garden. The flowers were bright bursts of color, even in the setting sun. Eva knew nothing about flowers, but she loved how they looked the wildness of Claire's front yard.
Taking a steadying breath, Eva went up and knocked lightly on the sage green door. A moment later it swung open to reveal Claire standing there with an excited smile. In her arms was a gray cat who meowed up at Eva.
