*
When Jake strolled into the kitchen just before lunch, Bella had spread her papers over two of the work counters, had a mixing bowl in front of her and flour dusted on her cheeks where she’d wiped at something on her face. She’d poked a pen in her hair and tendrils of the dark curls fell down the back of her neck.
“Hi.” He smiled when she looked up, focused on him, and grinned back.
“Hi. Sorry, I was miles away.” Bella dusted off her hands and wiped them on the tea towel jammed into the waistband of her jeans. “How are you?”
“Good. Looks like you’re all ready and waiting to go.” He nodded his head at the bowl in front of her when she stared vacantly at him. “Your cooking, I mean. Whatever’s in that bowl, you want to use the oven for, right?”
“Right, yes, I get it. Sorry.” She pinched a bit of the dough and tasted it, pulled a face.
“Not to your liking?” He stepped closer, rested a hand on the prep counter.
“I’m not sure. I won’t really know until I bake them.”
“Let me have a look and I can give you the all clear then.” Jake walked over to the stove, checked the fittings and tested the oven for his own benefit. “Seems like you have the oven under control. I checked the gas fittings on the way in. Mind if I poke around here for a minute, satisfy myself that everything is good to go so you can open?”
“Not at all. I’ll make you a coffee while you do. The installer did a safety check when he finished yesterday and left a certificate for you. It’s on the counter over there.”
“That’s good to know.” He picked it up and read it before putting it back down. He took the notebook from his pocket and copied down the certificate number for his records. “I’ll do an official clearance for you but it’s good to go as far as I’m concerned. You can start cooking again.”
“Great. I’ve missed having an industrial-sized oven.” She passed over a mug of coffee and opened a container sitting on the counter. “Here, try these. I made them this morning at the cottage.”
Jake smiled and took one. The cookie almost crumbled in his large hand. He tipped his head back and dropped it in his mouth.
“Yeah, sorry. They’re a bit crumbly aren’t they? I have to rethink the recipe.”
Jake washed the cookie down with his coffee. The flavor was superb but they didn’t hold up too well. “Very yummy, nonetheless. I think hanging around with you is going to be hell for my diet. I try to stay fit.”
Bella looked at him, ran her eyes up and down his chest. “I don’t think you have anything to worry about. You seem to be in pretty good shape as far as I can see.”
A warmth ran through his veins. “And as a friend, you’d tell me if I needed to cut back on this kind of food, right?”
“I guess.” She dropped her head and Jake felt all kinds of guilt at the innuendoes in the conversation.
It was too forward of him, even if he felt more comfortable with Bella than any other female his friends had set him up with over the years. She had her own priorities and so did he. Cory.
“I’m sorry. That was uncalled for.”
“Yeah, but friends are honest, right? True friends anyway.”
“And that’s all we both want, isn’t it? Neither of us are in a position to deal with anything more at this stage.”
She shook her head even though he could see in her eyes that something wasn’t making sense.
“I’d better go. Thanks for the coffee and cookie.”
“Wait, Jake. Let me explain.” Bella moved around to stand next to him. “I have a few issues going on, ones that are making life kind of difficult for me right now and I didn’t mean it to affect what you and I might have.”
“You don’t have to explain to me.”
She heaved out a frustrated sigh. “Yes, I do. I don’t want you to think that I’m sending mixed signals or teasing you, heaven forbid. I’m not that kind of girl. You see, when I won Masterchef, suddenly I became very popular. Understandable I suppose but everyone wanted a piece of me. I had to second-guess everyone and that included what I thought were going to be personal dates. Not to be confused with sponsor dates which are another thing entirely.”
He reached for her hand and smiled encouragingly.
“So when I became a bit more savvy, after a few horrendous mistakes I might add, I decided in my wisdom that it would be better if I dated someone in the industry. They would be an old hand at the fame game, used to mixing with people, and wouldn’t be star struck like my past failures when someone famous was on set.” She paused for breath, licked her lips. “Seems I was wrong. He was worse than anyone else. Knew exactly when to strike and how to make the most effect.” She blew out a breath, looking down in embarrassment, and he felt bad for her, with an inkling of what was coming. “There were, um, some rather embarrassing photos. Not too bad but bad enough considering I’m not that kind of girl. He’d obviously set me up for monetary reasons. I was going to pay up but the lawyers said no. They sent me here to keep a low profile until it all dies down.”
“That’s disgusting. I’m really sorry.” Jake pulled her into his chest and wrapped his arms around her.
Bella snuggled into the hug, and seemed content to let someone else be strong for her if only for a moment.
After a moment she pulled out of his embrace. “So, you see what I’m up against. People want me for what they can get and I hate to say it but I think it’s scarred me. I doubt I
