More surprises...?

Shrinking back from Cameron I steadied myself and took a few deep breaths. Hayden really didn’t have anything to be mad about, if anything I should be the one who was frustrated. He was so short with me, always irritated about one thing or another.

“Well, guess that would be your cue to go. Looks like he has been waiting for you to get home,” Cameron

remarked, echoing my thoughts and pulling back into forward position and giving Hayden a slight nod.

“Guess I better.” Reluctantly I pulled open the door and stepped outside. It was a beautiful night really, and regardless of his attitude, I wanted to tell Hayden my good news.

Looking over towards me, and yet avoiding eye contact, Hayden glanced toward Cameron returning his nod of acknowledgement, and then went inside.

Pushing forward I walked up the front steps and into his townhome. Instantly hitting me was the smell of Hayden. He smelled like cinnamon and firewood, with an earthy undertone. Being in his house, there was no way of escaping it, and the scent literally made me weak in the knees. Had I been paying better attention to my surroundings, and less time lusting after my boyfriend, I would have picked up on the trail of violet rose petals leading up the front porch.

Halting and spinning around after finally noticing I walked back and allowed myself to follow the trail. Winding past his kitchen counter and into the bedroom I noticed the familiar flickering of candles through the crack in his door. My heart kicked up a few notches, and I took off my coat and hung it up on the antique coat rack I had bought Hayden on our last anniversary, smiling at the memory of him walking in

and finding it set up.

“I really do love that coat rack” Hayden remarked, smirking as he watched me looking at it, knowing exactly which memory I was caught up in.

Startled I looked up to find Hayden leaning against his bedroom doorframe with a look on his face like the cat who ate the canary. “What are you smiling about over there? Aren’t you supposed to be mad at me,” although the last remark came out breathless as I focused on the more finer points of him. Starting from the floor up I noticed the muscles in his legs flexing slightly as he shifted on his toes, to his abs flexing back and forth as he reached toward me.

“I’m smiling because you look absolutely sexy right now babe. Did you have a good day?” He retorted, chuckling to himself.

“As a matter of fact I did, and it looks like it is about to get better,” I reasoned, waving my hands over the petals, and finishing off with a glance at the now open door.

“You better believe it is,” and with that he closed the gap between us wrapping his arms around me, sliding his fingers up my shirt.

“Mmm, sometimes there is nothing better than having a great day, and coming home to you.”

“I know babe,” Hayden murmured into my hair, “but what I really want, is to hear about his amazing day you had.”

“You won’t even believe it. It was the most amazing thing.”

“Try me Liv,” pulling me into the bedroom.

Inside was beautiful, there were candles all along the top shelves he had lining the dark gray walls, inside mason jars of different heights. Along the windowsill were three vases filled with violet, red, and white roses, each with a ribbon of the alternating colors, and a single string of crystals wrapped around. In between the vases were more candles, reflecting off the crystals casting small sparkles onto the walls. The bed was covered in even more petals, and it single handedly had to be one of the most beautiful things anyone had ever done for me.

Bashfully Hayden’s upper lip lifted into the smallest of smiles, the one that I like to think he reserved just for me, “Well, what do you think? Is this the proper setting for you to tell me about your amazing thing?”

“It is more than that, what is all this?” Laughing a slipped off my shoes and laid onto the bed.

“I knew.” A simple enough statement, and yet it caught me completely caught me off guard.

“Knew what, exactly?”

“I knew about Maggie, and Cameron, and the shop, the deal, I knew about it all.”

“Are you kidding me right now Hayden?” I couldn’t decide if I was irritated at him for fooling me, elated that he hadn’t actually been mad at me, or frustrated that I didn’t get to tell him my news myself.

“Liv, don’t get mad. I didn’t mean to spoil your fun of telling me yourself, I just don’t like keeping things from you.”

Standing up I walked over to Hayden and rested my hands up on his shoulders, “Hayden…”

Surprise Surprise...

--I know I've been MIA for almost a year now...its been a really tough year for my family, but I'm really looking forward to getting back on track with this blog. Please comment and let me know what you think of the story thus far. :0) -Liv

“What do you mean not the only surprise..?” I stammered as I entered the shop and instantly became engrossed in the perfect balance of old fashioned-ness and elegance it upheld.

“I said, Maybe. Now, go look around, enjoy” Cameron essentially said to my back as I was well beyond listening at that point.

I feel like sometimes there are places in this world where someone really feels at home. A place where even though it is absolutely not your home, the sights and smells have a calming and soothing affect on your soul. This was my place.

I love ever nook and cranny-- every cobweb and discarded piece of furniture. I don’t mean to make the place sound like a dump, because it absolutely, is not, it is just not perfect either. Actually, that fact is probably the best thing about it. I think things in life are a little better with imperfections, less expectations, and more room for forgiveness and improvements.

Running my hand along a “new” (to the shop) dresser, I idled and opened the drawer. Gasping I reached down further and pulled out the paper inside, “Olivia”.

Spinning around grasping the paper in my hand I looked back at Cameron and Maggie who were looking back at me eagerly.

“Go on hun, open it” Maggie pressed.

Lifting off the top page, I looked down at the deed to the shop, written out to me.

“Seriously?” was about all I could choke out. This can’t even be real. There was just no way that the shop was going to be mine.

“Seriously.” Maggie chuckled back, waving me to come back to the front counter. Handing me a piece of candy she looked at me expectantly as I sat down.

“This is so unbelievable. So-so-…” I couldn’t even find the words to express the emotions running through me. “What’s the catch?”

Cameron sat down next to me and let out an exasperated sigh, “There is no catch Liv, this is real,

sometimes good things happen to good people”.

“Really, Olivia,” Maggie chimed in, “after all the years I have known you, you think I would play some cruel trick on you and include a catch with this arrangement.”

“I just am having a hard time believing that all of this is real, and that this could be happening to me. I mean I want this, so much, but I don’t understand..”

Maggie sat down in front of the bar and leaned forward slowly placing her fingertips together, “So let me explain”.

And explain she did. To sum it all up she simply cannot handle the shop anymore and the agreement is for a 60/40 partnership on the business for the next year. After one year if she is happy the deed to the shop will become under my name only, and the percentage of profit increasing in my favor 10 percent for the next four years, after which Maggie and her family will be given 20% of the profits (as it was their business to begin with) with as much interaction as needed per my request. Amazing is really what I would describe it as.

Shaking hands with Maggie I turned and walked away from the counter, leaving her and Cameron to discuss the finer points of our contract. I began up the first isle and immersed myself in every detail, taking pride in the fact that this was going to become mine. Wondering if a new paint color here, a rearrangement of furniture there would bring in a new clientele.

After what felt like minutes, but was more along the line of hours, Cameron walked up behind me resting his arms on a particularly lovely mirror, gold with small rosettes painted along the inside of the hand carved details, and reminded me that the real world was calling to him, and as fun as watching me think is, he’d like to get going home.

The car ride home was quiet at peaceful as I was still immersed in thoughts of my future. It wasn’t until Cameron pulled up in front of Hayden’s that my heart started pounding a little harder. And at the first sight of the scowl on his face, my stomach became filled with butterflies.

As Cameron put the car in park, he leaned over and kissed my cheek, a familiarity with him that was second nature and I hadn’t previously minded, until I looked off and saw Hayden’s scowl darken.

The Market...

That was the thing about driving with Cameron, I had been so wrapped up in talking and singing…(well listening to him sing anyway) that I really wasn’t paying attention in those last few minutes before we pulled up to the Market.

Now this wasn’t just any ordinary market, this was an incredible place where if you dug through the piles of junk, there was always an amazing find hiding. Honestly, the old fashion charm it had was the best part about it.

When you first walk in there is a sweet old lady, Maggie, who has been running the shop her entire life, and now officially knows me by name. Every once in a while her daughter is around, or her grandkids, just visiting with customers and helping out. Just like an old school candy shop, along the back counter are hundred’s of jars filled with fresh candy, and an old soda machine that you can mix and create your favorite flavors.

“Cam, you hate it here, we don’t have to go inside,” I mumbled already reaching to open the door and head in.

Laughing Cameron leaned over and unbuckled my seatbelt before getting out of the car. “I don’t hate it here, that old lady is nice and she gives me free candy while you shop.”

“That old lady has a name, and thank you so much for bringing me here. I just hope you are prepared for a long day of sitting because there is no stopping me until this place closes.” I swung my arms around Cam’s waist and pulled him in for a hug, “Seriously, I know you don’t like coming here and it really means a lot to me that you are here.”

“Enough, enough Liv, I know you like it here, and you have been weird lately…so this is to bring you up and out of that weirdness, I am over it. So you are welcome.”

“Well thanks,” I started, “And I already said you’re welcome, Cmon let’s go.”

“Actually, can you just give me a second quick? Go on inside and I’ll be right there” I motioned, reaching in my bag to grab my cell—I hadn’t talked to Hayden since last night.

“Hello?”

“Hey Hayden, I just wanted to let you know that I’m spending the day at the Market, Cam drove me up here, so I’ll be home pretty late tonight.” I hesitated on telling him it was Cameron that had driven me up here, but I was no good at keeping secrets, so while it was no surprise to hear him sigh, I still cringed a little when he did.

“Sounds good babe, no problem.” I was pretty sure there was some sarcasm laced in that sentence, but maybe Hayden was getting over his issue with Cameron, “I hope you and Cameron have a great time on your little trip. Feel free to call me when you have the time.” Apparently not.

“Ok, well obviously I am calling you now, and would like to talk to you, and have the time for you Hayden, but whatever. I just thought if you were free tonight you’d want to come over?”

“I’ve got work in the morning, and I’m not going to come over just to sleep. You’ll be home late so I’ll call you tomorrow.” And with that, he hung up the phone.

Ugh, I could not figure out what his problem was. Hayden and I were usually so together, and so in synch with our moods. It was one of the things that helped out relationship be a little easier, but lately, everything seemed to be getting him upset, or I was the one upset.

“O-L-I-V-I-A, let’s go!” Cameron shouted from the front door of the store, starting the two ladies who were leaving.

I walked up to him and managed the most sincere smile I could. “I don’t know why you are so anxious to get in here, I always end up looking through this stuff alone anyways…”

“Maybe just getting here wasn’t the only surprise I had for you today…” And with a wink over my head to Maggie, Cameron grabbed my hand and pulled me inside.

Car rides and surprises...

So not sure if anyone is out there reading this blog yet, but if you are...Could you please comment and let me know what you think so far? I'm so new into this and I would love the feedback to see how you guys think its going! Things you'd like to see changed...the style or something!

Here's the new post:

“So when Chloe said that you were totally ok with her moving here…she was lying?”

“No..what…why would you even say that?”

“She mentioned that you acted ‘weird’ when she reminded you about her living with me, something about thinking she had run away?”

“Look, I think its great that Chloe moved in with you, and its incredibly sweet of you to let her stay until she finds her own place closer to this new job-”

“Liv, this is her new place. She’s staying in the second bedroom as my roommate for as long as she wants. I thought you said you were listening when she was explaining all of this to you.”

“Right, of course! Anyway, where are we going?” I leaned over across the driver’s seat to look harder out Cameron’s window.

“I told you it’s a surprise…” Glancing down at me Cameron flashed a quick smile and put his hand up into my hair, “I know you will love it, just give me a sec.” Surprises were not always my favorite thing, unless they turned out to be great. Usually not the case..but when they were good..I was all about them.

Driving with Cameron was one of my favorite things in the whole world. No matter how long or short the ride, we never ran out of things to say to each other.

“God, I can’t believe my radio is broken.”

“Ha I barely noticed to be completely honest, you won’t stop yapping over there.”

“You know Liv,” reaching over and ruffling my hair Cameron started to laugh and then he started to sing. “I’ll be your crying shoulder…III’ll be loves suuuiiiccciiiiidddeeee, and I’ll be better when I’m oooolder I’lllllll be the greatest faaaaaaaan of your liiiiife”.

“Wow! I think applause are in order over here…that’s obviously the most rock star rendition of that song I have ever heard, Bravo!”

“Shut up, you know you liked it. I’m way better than the radio, you know you loved it.”

“Of course I did Cam, it was just SO lovely.”

“Well, now that you are smiling, how are things going with Hayden these days? Still think he’s the bees knees?”

“Seriously, did you just say ‘the bees knees’ God Cam, what are you 95? No one, and I repeat no one says things like that anymore.” I shoved shoulder away from me laughing at his ridiculousness, “And yes, he is quite wonderful.”

“Ok ok, and that’s all I would like to hear for today because we’re here”.

Looking up I was just about speechless but somehow I managed, “Cam…oh Cam. How did you know?”

Chloe's M.I.A...again.

“Mom, really?”

“Yes dear, shes gone. Gone gone gone. I was watching my shows, and she walked right past me, grabbed her key’s and left!”

“Mom, that doesn’t sound tragic. In fact, it seems pretty normal”.

“Olivia, do not sass me. This was three days ago.”

“Three days!? Mom, why didn’t you call me yesterday. Or better yet, the day before.. three days! Chloe could be anywhere at this point! Just wait, just stay put. I’ll get Hayden and we’ll be right over.”

Turning around I stood back up and turned towards Hayden’s apartment. I kept telling myself to just breathe, I was the one who was angry anyway..there was no need for the butterflies I felt developing in my stomach.

Slowly I opened the door and stepped inside as quiet as I could. Hayden was hunched over the kitchen table, hands in his hair, taking long, deep breaths.

“Hun? Hayden, love?” I felt myself smiling, melting as I walked up and pressed myself against him.

“Liv, I can’t do this. I can’t fight with you like this, and have you leave me.” Hayden shifted his body and wrapped his left arm around my waist. “You walk out of here, leaving me yelling at a closed door, and then walk back in because you need something.”

“I don’t need anything. Hayden, this isn’t the time,” I protested, pulling out of his arm.

“Yes you do. You were mad at me. You walked out of here, and now you are back. It’s been about three minutes, so there is no way that you are over this situation, you need me for something”. He looked up at me, and lowered his arms. Raising from the chair it was hard not to admire the perfect dip his muscles made against his sweat pants.

“Hayden, what were talking about is important. I am not over it, and I don’t need something. But you need to know that Chloe is missing. My mom just called and said she’s been missing for three days. She left Wednesday night and hasn’t called or been home since”. I walked behind the kitchen counter and tried to busy my hands with the dishes, I could feel myself getting anxious as we were wasting even more time.

“Chloe’s gone? Are you sure this time? Did you even try to call her?”

“Of course I tried to ca—“ I started and then realized that No, that was exactly what I hadn’t done. “Just give me a sec Hayden”.

Walking out of the room I opened the bedroom door and leaned my forehead against the closet door and dialed Chloe.

“Hello? Livvy?”

“Chloe? Are you kidding me right now? What are you doing, where are you?” I felt my anger level rising, and lowered my voice, “Please tell me you are alright?”

“Of course I’m alright! But I’m at work right now, can I call you back?”

“Work? Chloe, mom is convinced you have run away, why havn’t you been home in three days?” I turned around and watched Hayden walk into the room. Told you. He mouthed at me.

“Livvy, If you are going to call yourself my sister, then I would appreciate if you would at least pay attention when I call you in my time of need. I am staying with Cameron, he lives five minutes from my new job, and I don’t have the money to spend on gas right now.”

“Cameron’s? My Cameron?” Shit. I looked up and saw Hayden’s face go from one of love to one of pure annoyance. “I mean Cameron, of course, now I remember..right you are staying there…work…” I helplessly found myself sputtering into the phone.

“Way to go Olivia, Hayden is right there isn’t he?”

“Mmhmm. Love you too Chloe, call me later. Ok, bye!” I pressed my back against the closet and smiled over at Hayden.

“Don’t give me that shit Liv. ‘Your Cameron?’ What the hell does that mean? You are always saying things like that, and I am trying so hard to respect the friendship that you have, I know he is your best friend, but he is a man. A single man, and..”

“Hayden, he’s a friend. You know that you are the one I adore.” I pulled at his hand and then pushed him down onto his bed. Pressing my lips against his neck I breathed him in, and wondered to myself, why in the world it was getting so hard to simply adore Hayden…

Introductions...sort of.

"Fine, leave!", Hayden shouted at an already slammed door.

Spinning around Olivia quickly realized she had two problems. First: Hayden. He was delicious in every way that word was meant to describe a man. At about 6’1’’ he stood half a foot taller than she, and had a body sculpted to perfection slightly tan all year round. His black hair was a messy tangle on top of his head, constantly falling in front of his light gray eyes. Beautiful. Second: She left her keys inside, right next to him.

“Damnit! That man alone is enough to drive me completely mad!” Olivia continued walking down the steps and out onto the sidewalk, pulling out her blackberry to call someone, anyone. While scrolling through her contacts, she got a text:

**Hey gorgeous, just got out of a meeting. Hope you are having a better day. –C

Ah, yes. Hello problem number three: Cameron. Well to be fair, Cameron wasn’t a problem..just a very affectionate best friend. To most women, Cameron was the ideal man. He was successful, passionate, and sexy. Ugh, well to other women he was sexy. To Olivia, he was just Cameron, her best friend from college, who was a player to the core. His navy blue eyes were the perfect contrast to his fair skin and dark blonde hair. He was practically a Ken doll.

Realizing the mess of her situation Olivia sighed and sat down behind her car, and it was then that her phone rang.

“Olivia, dah-ling! How are you, and Hayden? Is he as fabulous as always? What about that delectable boy toy of yours Cameron? Still rich? Anyway, I need you to come home quick sweetie, your sister is missing”.