Page 2 of Such a Sweet Girl

‘Francesca, you know we don’t eat that much processed sugar. We’redentists.’

‘You drink orange juice, and that’s packed with sugar. The muffins are homemade. A taste wouldn’t hurt. Just one bite?’ Hope surged when my dad put his phone down on the table. A bubble of excitement formed in my chest. Baking was my escape from the drudgery of my every day. Something that truly made me proud. My fellow housemates at college appreciated my treats, but to have my parents enjoy them? It would mean the world to me.

‘We don’t want your sugary bakes.’ My father’s voice held a finality that tore through my chest and pricked the little bubble of hope I’d dared to allow. ‘I’ve seen your little videos on social media. Your cousin sent them to me. You need to stop messing around like a teenager and grow up, Francesca.’

The words burned.

At my age, perhaps he had a point. I was a small fish in a very large pond online, and I hadn’t even set up a baking profile, just posted a few videos on my profile.

Perhaps they had parents who told them that what they did was worthwhile. Had someone to film for them and encourage them.

‘It’s something I love,’ I murmured, my chest feeling tight under their burning gazes.

‘Love doesn’t pay the bills.’

The lake reflected the sunlight like a giant mirror, making me squint as I traversed the tree line between our property and the neighbour’s. Taking the drive down to the path may have been the easiest solution, but my parents were on the deck. Avoiding their scrutiny would be worth a few twig-scratched ankles after the muffin put-down at breakfast.

Picking my way amongst the overgrown ferns, I saw Nick through the floor to ceiling glass patio doors. Wearing nothing but shorts, he lounged on the couch, headphones stuck to his head as usual. Being at college gave me a pretty intense view into the mind of guys my age, so his addiction to gaming wasn’t entirely surprising, but he was the first guy I’d been around who gamed even as I sat next to him.

Did he disconnect when showering? In bed? I hoped so.

The eco-friendly wax wrapped muffins teetered in my hand as I pulled myself up onto the deck. How on earth he had afforded a lake house vacation home mystified me. But we hadn’t exactly done an awful lot of talking in the past few weeks.Our romance was temporary. Why burden it with reality? At the moment, Nick could be anything. A patisserie chef who went to school in Paris. A self made tech millionaire. A celebrity who hid away in the exclusive lakeside resort to avoid his avid fans…

Beyond the glass, Nick scratched at his balls through his shorts.

Or maybe not.

Knocking on the glass, I waved. Nick smiled before tipping his head in an invitation. He didn’t pause his game.

‘Alright, sexy?’ He patted the seat beside him and gave me a wink.

Slipping off my shoes, I made my way to the kitchen, stacking the muffins onto a plate on the counter and covering them with an upturned glass bowl. They looked utterly out of place on the dirty-dish clad counter. Two empty cereal boxes lay overturned amongst the kitchen debris.

Urgh.

Closing my eyes, I let the cool air from the air conditioner swarm my sweat soaked skin. Taking a moment, I reminded myself why I was spending the summer with Nick, despite the gaming and the mess.

It feels good to be held.

It feels good to be desired.

He’s sweet. When he pays attention.

I can avoid my parents.

He eats my cakes.

He thinks I’m pretty. I think.

It wouldn’t be forever, but I’d appreciate the chapter for what it was.

Taking the couch cushion next to Nick, I planted a kiss on his cheek. He grinned. I put one muffin onto the coffee table in front of him.

‘Give me ten, babe, yeah?’

‘Sure,’ I said, pulling my phone from my pocket and settling back against the arm, pressing my feet into Nick’s lap. The easy comfort soothed me, his home so devoid of the constant pressure that mine held. Almost immediately, my shoulders relaxed.

I didn’t need every moment of Nick’s undivided attention. The solid calm was enough to sustain me.

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