She arrived just in time to see Oliver laughing with one of his friends, a lively, stylish woman with a bright smile. Her laughter rang through the air, effortless and captivating. Clara’s stomach sank unexpectedly.
He glanced over and waved when he noticed her, his grin warm and inviting, but the sight of him interacting so easily with someone else sent a strange, unfamiliar flutter through her heart.
“Why does that bother me?” Clara muttered under her breath, adjusting a strand of hair nervously.
She stayed on the edge of the gathering, watching as Oliver effortlessly charmed everyone with his humor and stories. His friend complimented his cooking, and he responded with a playful wink. Clara’s chest tightened.
It’s just… conversation, she told herself. Nothing to worry about.
But when he glanced at her again and smiled — that smile that had made her heart leap so many times — she realized it wasn’t just conversation she was jealous of. It was him.
Later, as the crowd thinned and the golden sunset bathed the street in warm light, Oliver noticed her lingering by a flower stand.“Clara!” he called, jogging over.“You okay?”
She forced a small smile.“Yeah… I’m fine.”
“You sure? You’ve been quiet all evening.”
Clara hesitated, then shook her head.“I… I guess I just didn’t expect to feel… this,” she admitted, gesturing vaguely toward the space between them.“Jealous, maybe. Or… nervous.”
Oliver’s expression softened, and he reached out to lightly brush her hand.“Clara,” he said gently,“you don’t have to worry. There’s only one thing I want this summer, and it’s you. That’s it.”
Her heart fluttered, her earlier discomfort melting away at the sincerity in his voice. She realized that her feelings for him weren’t just playful affection anymore. She cared. Deeply. Intensely.
“I… I think I’m starting to realize that too,” she whispered, meeting his gaze.
Oliver smiled, a slow, reassuring grin that made her stomach flip.“Good,” he said softly.“Because I have a feeling this summer is going to be full of surprises. And I want you in all of them.”
Clara nodded, feeling a warmth in her chest that had nothing to do with the sun or flowers. She was ready to admit — at least toherself — that Oliver Hayes had become more than just a chaotic neighbor. He had become someone who mattered.
And for the first time, she wasn’t afraid to feel it.
Chapter 12:
Midnight Sweets
The streetlights cast a soft golden glow over Willow Street as Clara Bennett shut the flower shop for the night. She was just about to head upstairs when a familiar voice called out.
“Clara! Are you free for a spontaneous adventure?”
She looked up to see Oliver leaning casually against his apartment railing, holding a small backpack. His grin was mischievous, and her heart immediately skipped a beat.
“Adventure?” she asked, eyebrow raised.
“Yes,” he said, hopping down the last few steps.“I just discovered that the bakery across town makes midnight chocolate tarts. Thought we could… investigate. For science. Purely scientific research, of course.”
Clara laughed, shaking her head.“You’re ridiculous.”
“And you’re coming with me,” he said, offering his hand.
Within minutes, they were walking through the quiet streets, the cool night air filled with the scent of damp earth and distant flowers. Oliver chattered about his culinary experiments while Clara listened, laughing at his dramatic descriptions of failed recipes and kitchen disasters.
When they arrived at the bakery, it was still open, warm lights glowing through the windows. They ordered two chocolate tarts, hot cocoa to go, and stepped outside to a small bench under a lamppost.
“Okay, scientific research, right?” Oliver said, holding up his tart like a trophy.“First bite judgment?”
Clara smiled, taking a careful bite. The rich chocolate melted on her tongue, and she closed her eyes in bliss.“It’s… perfect,” she whispered.
“Agreed,” Oliver said, biting into his own tart. Then he looked at her, eyes twinkling.“Not as perfect as this moment, though.”
