Thirty-Eight Days (47 page)

Noel looked up to see
NOW BOARDING
appear on the screen. He picked up his carry on bag. He was relieved that he purchased a business class ticket rather than economy. He needed the comfort of the large seats. He folded Clara’s note and placed it back into the pages of his passport and took out his phone. He stared at the now boarding sign and sighed.

I can’t leave without her knowing.

Noel brought up Clara’s messages and his heart felt a slice of pain shooting through him. He took a deep breath in and sent Clara one final message before boarding his flight and leaving her behind for good.

Noel: I’ll always love you, Clara. Always.

Two Weeks Later

C
lara held the box of cupcakes tightly and breathed in a few times to try and settle her nerves. She wasn’t expecting herself to find the courage to see him. There were so many things that she was sorry for, and she was hoping he’d open his door.

It had been two weeks since
that
night. The one text message she received from Noel almost made her change her mind. But Clara found out the next day that he went back to Boston. She wasn’t sure why she was surprised when Alex told her, but she was. Noel had really packed up his belongings and left. The regret always sat in the pit of her stomach every time she thought about him.

The nights were always the hardest. Being alone meant remembering and she didn’t want to remember. Each time she did, those stiches in her heart would burst open. The last fourteen days were almost a blur for her. When she wasn’t at the bakery, she would be with Stevie or Alex. Clara had to fight real hard to convince Jarred to go to Darwin to see Annie while she visited family. He almost had Clara on the plane with him, but she managed to get loose.

The elevator opened and she hit his floor number. She ran scenario after scenario through her head. She had done him wrong, and she owed him an apology. The elevator door dinged open and she stepped onto the unfamiliar floor’s carpet. Clara reached his apartment and knocked. All she heard was silence.

He’s probably not home.

Just as she was about to turn away, the door opened wide and Clara held her breath. Her hands had moistened in such a sweat that she feared she’d drop the box of cupcakes. For the first time in two weeks her heart picked up, and she bit the inside of her cheek.

“Clara, I uhh… wasn’t expecting to see you here.” Clara closed her eyes for a second and breathed out heavily.

“Hey, Liam.” She watched him smile at the sound of her saying his name.

“It’s good to see you, Clara. I was just reading some investment reports. Want to come in?”

“Sure, that would be great!”

Liam broke into a large grin and stepped back, allowing her access into his apartment. She stepped inside as she looked around. Liam’s apartment was far greater than hers, his lounge room double in size. Unlike Clara’s apartment, Liam had no window seats; he had a leather couch in the middle of his lounge room facing a large, wall-mounted LCD TV above the fireplace. Clara was literally blown away at the size of it.

She couldn’t believe she was here in Liam’s apartment. She thought back to the reason to why she was here.

“There is nothing I wouldn’t do to make Keira smile. Even if that means I have to watch her cry because her favourite character from the book she’s reading dies or something. I don’t want you to be with someone like Darren again. I want someone who moves heaven and Earth for you. Who will sit there and watch you cry.”

That conversation she had with Alex was eight days after she ended things with Noel. Alex’s words were an eye-opener. Liam had always been there, and it wasn’t fair how she treated him. She was close to completely falling for him, but she fell in love with Noel first. It took her almost a week to summon the courage to apologise to Liam. Clara looked at the pink box before looking at Liam. He still had that smile on his face and Clara felt a change in her heart. It was like that one smile mended a piece of her.

“Did you want a drink or anything? I could fix you up something to eat if you wanted?” he asked politely.

“No… I uhh ate just before. Liam, I’m… well, I’m—” Clara stammered out.

What’s wrong with me!

“I must sound and look ridiculous right now!” Clara nervously laughed as she tucked a loose curl behind her ear. She looked up at Liam through her fanned lashes to see him still smiling.

“Nope, you look and sound adorable to me.”

Clara smiled and knew that this was the Liam she started to fall for once upon a time.

“Here.” Clara straightened out her arms and offered Liam the box. He eyed it suspiciously before taking it in his hands.

Liam opened the box and took out a cupcake before he asked, “Cupcakes?”

“They’re apology cupcakes that I made especially for you. I remember you telling me that you loved oranges and chocolates together. So I thought why not try those flavours in a cupcake with some Irish whiskey. I’ve never made this kind before, and I’ve been trying to perfect them all week—”

“All week? You spent a week trying to make me cupcakes?” Liam interrupted her, and she felt her cheeks warm.

“Yes.” Clara nervously chewed her bottom lip.

“Why would you make me apology cupcakes?”

“I—I don’t know. Who even makes apology cupcakes? I’m sorry. I better go and leave you to your reports,” Clara said quickly. Before she could make a dash for his front door, Liam stood in front of her.

“Come on, Clara. I want to know why you made me cupcakes. Please.” Liam pulled a pout and she let out a laugh. She sighed and looked up at his hazel eyes. They weren’t green and she thought she’d be disappointed, but instead she was relieved.

Clara shook her head and looked at the soft mix of brown, green, and a hint of orange that made up his eye colour. “I wanted to say I’m sorry. I neglected you and wasted your time. You were compassionate and caring, and I never told you how much I appreciated everything you did for me that night. You really are an amazing person, Liam. I’m thankful that you were there for me that night.” Memories of her birthday left Clara breathless.

Liam didn’t reply. He looked at the cupcake and then at Clara several times. She would always be sorry for leading Liam on, and that would be a regret of hers. Clara gave Liam one more smile before making her way back to his front door. Just as she reached for the door handle, she heard Liam call out to her.

“Make it up to me!” His request had Clara spinning on the balls of her feet to face him.

“What?”

“Breakfast, lunch, or dinner. I don’t mind. I just want a chance. I’ve been waiting a year to be with you, and if it’s over a meal then I’ll take it. We’ll start fresh, that is… if you’re ready.” There was something in what Liam said that made Clara’s eyebrows crease.

It’s been two weeks. Could I really go on a date with Liam?

“Okay,” Clara replied without thinking. She felt the surprise on her face and looked at Liam, who also mirrored her reaction.

“Clara, think about what you just said. You said okay to a date. Are you really okay about going on a date with me?” Liam took a few steps, placing the box of cupcakes on the hallway table and taking Clara’s hands in his.

“If you’re not. I’ll wait. I’ve been waiting a long time, but I want you to want to date me. Not because I asked you to make it up to me. Do you want some time to think about it?” Clara’s lips parted slightly and she blinked several times.

It’s time I finally appreciated Liam.
 

“I don’t need time. I want to go on a date with you, Liam.” Clara thought she’d feel her heart clench and break, but she didn’t. The pain and pressure was still there, but it didn’t hurt like it used to.

“Tomorrow?” Liam asked as his eyes sparkled at her.

“Sure. Tomorrow sounds good.”

“Wait, I just need to say this out loud.
We
are going on a date… tomorrow!” Clara let out the most natural and real laugh she felt in weeks. Liam was mending her.

“Yes, Liam. Tomorrow,” Clara confirmed and her lips curved into another smile. Liam bent slightly and inched closer to her until his lips pressed on her right cheek. She smelt his citrus cologne, reminding her of how safe he was.

“I’ll pick you up at eleven, then we’ll go out for lunch. I promise to make this fun.” That glint in Liam’s eyes and that smile on his face was priceless. Liam opened his front door for Clara, taking her hand and walking her to the elevator. He pressed the down button and looked at her, his hand never leaving hers. The ding of the elevator sounded and she felt Liam squeeze her hand.

“Tomorrow.” He smiled, and Clara laughed as she stepped into the elevator. She pressed the button for her floor and watched the doors close on him. Liam deserved a chance. He chose her, and she would do right by him.

“How’s the hutch building going?” Clara asked as she put her arms through her jacket sleeves and shrugged it onto her shoulders.

“I wish I never bought you this for your birthday. I should have listened to Keira and bought you something small. But no, I had to go get you something for your kitchen. I wish I never went past that store.” Alex shook his head and grabbed the instructions. Clara knew it was probably the first time he was looking at the sheet of paper.

“I agree with Keira. A hutch? Don’t get me wrong, I love it. But did you really think I could build this?” she teased. Alex looked up from the single piece of paper and frowned.

“Are you going somewhere?” he asked.

I can be open with Alex about Liam.

“I have a date.” Clara shrugged.

“A date. With who?” Alex asked roughly as he stood up from the floor. Clara flinched at Alex’s change in behaviour.

“Liam,” she stated.

“Your neighbour?” There was a hint of disbelief in Alex’s voice and Clara balled her fists, her nails digging into her palms. She nodded her head.

“He’s a nice guy, Alex. He’s one of the good ones,” Clara said.

Alex stepped in front of her and the anger in him could be seen in his eyes. He breathed in and his nostrils flared. “Yeah, so is Noel!”

Clara’s mouth dropped and the clenching returned in chest, her eyes searching Alex’s.

“Oh my God, you know,” was all she managed. Clara held onto the counter to steady her legs. She watched as he brother ran a hand through his messy hair and exhaled heavily.

“I knew the moment I saw you. You weren’t crying because I was home. And then you looked over at Noel and it confirmed it all.” Alex sounded almost tired and Clara felt the pain consume her.

“Are you mad?” Clara asked quietly.

“No. I was fucking pissed off that you didn’t tell me. Why do you think I went out on all those runs in the morning? I had to make some crazy excuse like I was running the New York Marathon to get you guys alone and talk. I wanted you both to tell me when you were ready. But what good did that do? Noel’s in Boston. What the fuck happened? I didn’t expect him to leave, Clara. I thought by giving you some time to yourself, you’d figure it all out and go to him.”