CHAPTER 5:COOKIES AND CONFESSIONS

I was stood in the kitchen mixing my second bowl of cookie dough while my first was cooling on a plate on the counter. Of course my thoughts went to Liam,I was remembering all the times that I made him his favourite cookies.

I hate that he's in everything I do.

Instead of continuing to mix the dough, I threw the bowl into the sink with a rage and it splattered everywhere."Ugh, You're such an idiot!!"

A throat cleared behind me,causing me to turn around."That's some early morning rage you've got. Are you okay?"Zachary asked.

He was standing in a fitted navy suit that looked expensive,it had a white shirt underneath and a navy tie that pieced his whole look together. How has he managed to look this together at 8am in the morning?

He must think that I'm crazy!

"I just get a little sensitive about my cookies."I smiled at him,lightly. I'm sure it made me all the more crazy."There's plenty there if you want to try one?"

He looked down at my plate of cookies. "No,That's okay. I'm trying to behave myself. I'm leaving for a couple of days, so it'll just be you and Max."

I nodded at him in reply,and wiped some cookie dough from my face."Um, I should go clean this off. But you don't need to worry about a thing here,I'll see you when you get back."I rushed towards the stairs to get out of sight as quick as possible.

How embarrassing!

I stood in the bathroom cleaning off the dough when I thought of Liam again,he's ruined Cookies for me for life.

~~~

FLASHBACK

I ran across the room so fast that it left Liam grabbing at nothing but air. All this horse play over a chocolate chip cookie,he must be hungry.

"Get back here."He warned,with a devilish smirk playing on his lips.

"If you really want the cookie so bad you'll have to catch me first."I chuckled,holding it up in my hands to tease. I'm pretty sure this cookie will be the last thing on his mind when he catches me.

"That's it!!"He rushed towards me so fast,it didn't give me a chance to move. Liam swooped me up in his arms and making me giggle uncontrollably. He set me down on the couch and leaned over me,taking a huge bite out of the cookie that I was teasing him with.

"Hey, That was mine!"I pouted."That bite was way too big."

He chuckled."That might have been the best damn cookie you ever made. I'll tell you what,I'll give you your cookie back on one condition."

One condition. Come on,it's clearly going to be something sexual. I know him well."What is your condition?"

"Move in with me,Em?"He asked,taking me totally by surprise."I want everyday to be like today. I want this apartment to always smell like your cookies."

I was taken aback by what he was asking me, it's only been a couple of weeks after all. I didn't think the talk of moving in together would come up quite so soon.

"You're serious?"I asked,but I wasn't sure what answer I wanted. I've never lived with a man before,what if it's too soon.

"Of course I'm serious,I couldn't think of anything better."He moved a lock of hair back from my face gently."What do you say,Em? Move in with me?"

He's the perfect guy,what could go wrong."Okay.."I smiled."I'll move in with you."

END OF FLASHBACK

~~~

I walked downstairs after cleaning up and Zachary had already left. I noticed there was 2 less cookies left on the plate than there was before I went upstairs. I guess he couldn't resist after all.

Max suddenly ran towards the front door and started to bark,causing me to jump with a fright. A knock came to the door a second later and I walked that way.

I was sensible enough to look through the side panel of glass to check who it was before I opened up. Thankfully it was just Michelle so I opened up.

"Hi Doll!"She smiled,and walked into the house. She walked ahead of me towards the kitchen and placed two take out coffee's down."I brought coffee,how about sitting in the garden and soaking up the sun?"

"Sure,Sounds good. I made cookie's this morning-I'll bring them with me."I grabbed the plate of cookies and followed Michelle to the garden.

An hour later our plate of cookies was empty and our coffee's were drank. Max was resting by the doors to the garden while Michelle and I rested on some lounge chairs.

"So what's the deal with Zach?"I turned my head in Michelle's direction and extended my hand up to block the sun. "He's away on business a lot. It doesn't seem like he makes much time for anything else."

"He doesn't."She sighed."Zach is very much all work and no play. Well at least that's the impression that I get. I don't know much about what he likes to get up to when he's not in the office."

"It doesn't look like you gives himself much free time to have a personal life. He must feel lonely."I don't know anything about Zachary. I couldn't help but be curious.

"He's not the only one. You must be feeling lonely since dating is not on the table?"

I shook my head."Dating is definitely not on the table. I've been hurt in the past,I don't want to make the mistake of trusting another man."

"Your Ex-Did he cheat?"Michelle asked.

"Not that I know of. I wouldn't of cared if he did."Ugh,I shouldn't have said that. Too much information!!"Do you want a drink-I'm going to get us one."

Michelle followed behind me towards the kitchen and stood at the island,just watching me as I poured some lemonade into glasses."I don't understand,Did he hurt you?"

I sighed,looking down at the counter top."Yes,He hurt me. But I'm okay now, I got away from him. I'm starting my life over-Here in LA."

"Jesus,I can't believe it! I can't believe that you've been through this."She picked up her glass of Lemonade and held it in her hands."I'm guessing my cousin knows about this?"

"Claire knows,she helped me get away. I know you must have some questions,I'll answer them in time. But for now-please-please don't tell anyone."I begged.

"Your secret is safe with me,I promise." She smiled.

The last thing I want is Zachary finding out about this and kicking me out because he doesn't want any trouble.