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Claire smiled and nodded. "It's growing on me," she said. "It's still weird being in a new town, but I'm excited to explore. And I love the house. It's old, but it has character. It reminds me of the houses we used to draw as kids, you know? Like it has secrets hidden behind every door."
Julia chuckled. "I know what you mean. And I'm glad to hear you're settling in. It's important to have a place to call home, especially after David. Honestly I'm surprised you settled here after leaving Boston, since it's so different here, but I am very glad to have you much closer now."
They arrived at the bakery and Claire led the way inside. The sweet, yeasty smell of freshly baked bread and pastries filled the air, making Claire's mouth water. They pushed through the glass-fronted door and into the bakery. The wooden floor creaked under their feet as they approached the display case which seemed to hold enough pastries and loaves of bread to feed a small village for a month.
"It's good to see you again, Claire," Michael said. "Eva's making cookies for an order, I'm sure she'll miss seeing you this morning."
Julia looked curiously between them. "It's good to see you making new friends so quickly," she playfully teased her sister.
Claire smiled at her. "Michael, this is my little sister Julia. Please tell Eva hello for me."
"I certainly will." He rang them up. "You two enjoy your breakfast. Would you like some tea as well?"
"Yes please," Claire answered for both of them. Julia nodded as well.
"I'll have it right out to you two. Take a seat wherever you like."
They found a small table by the window, allowing them to watch as the town slowly came to life outside. Claire tore into her croissant, enjoying the flaky layers and buttery taste. Julia nibbled on her cinnamon roll, savoring the sweetness and warmth of the pastry.
"So how did things end up with Steven?" Claire asked her. Julia hadn't mentioned him lately, so she assumed something had happened, but it had been hard to think about more than David for a while now. She had definitely not been the best sister lately, though she knew Julia understood.
Julia sighed heavily. "It was like he disappeared off the face of the earth. I tried to contact him but it was like he had blocked me out completely."
Claire shook her head sympathetically. "That's really rough. People can be so inconsiderate sometimes."
"I swear, all guys are the same," Julia said with a huff. "They just want one thing and then they disappear without any explanation."
Claire chuckled, swirling her tea around in its cup. "Not all guys are like that," she said. "You just need to find someone who's worth your time."
Julia rolled her eyes. "Easier said than done," she said. "I'm starting to think I'm going to be single forever."
Claire reached across the table and took Julia's hand. "Don't be silly," she said. "You're amazing. Anyone would be lucky to have you."
Julia smiled at her sister. "Thanks, Claire.”
As Claire took a bite of her croissant, Eva emerged wearing an apron dusted with flour. "Hi Claire, Michael told me you and your sister were here." Eva said brightly, walking over to their table. Claire smiled at her.
"Hey Eva, how's it going?"
"I'm doing well, staying busy of course. I just wanted to come out and say hi, see how you're enjoying the croissant and cinnamon roll." Eva's eyes seemed to linger on Claire for a moment, her smile widening. Claire felt a flush of confusion at the attention.
"They’re delicious," Julia replied with an easy grin.
"Wonderful!" Eva exclaimed. "Well, I should get back to work, but it was nice seeing you again, Claire, and good meeting you too, Julia." Her eyes met Claire's once more before she went to the back of the bakery.
Claire blinked, unsure of what had just transpired. She shook off the peculiar feeling as she took another bite of her pastry. Eva was just being friendly, she told herself. Still, something in the tone of Eva's voice and the way she had looked at Claire gave her an odd feeling that she couldn't quite pin down.
Claire shrugged off the strange feeling persistently nagging at her after Eva's visit. It was just her imagination.
Julia seemed to think differently. "I think someone has a little crush on you," she said in a teasing singsong voice.
Claire rolled her eyes. "Don't be ridiculous. Eva was just being friendly."
"If you say so," Julia said, with a smile.
As they finished their breakfast and headed out of the bakery, Julia playfully nudged Claire. "Come on, Claire, you have to admit that Eva was definitely into you."
Claire laughed, but deep down she couldn't deny that Julia might be right. There was something in the way Eva had looked at her that made her feel noticed, desired even.
