Chapter 28 — Freshly Baked
Mia had been in the kitchen for nearly an hour.
She stood at the counter, carefully mixing the ingredients in a large bowl.
She had suddenly decided to bake cookies.
She wasn't sure why.
Perhaps she simply wanted to do something nice for Nathan.
He had been working almost nonstop lately, and Mia knew how exhausting his days could be.
She placed the tray in the oven and checked the timer.
"Perfect."
She smiled to herself.
Just then, she heard footsteps approaching.
Mia turned around.
Nathan walked into the kitchen.
He stopped when he saw her.
"What are you doing?"
Mia looked at the oven.
"Baking."
Nathan glanced at the counter.
"Cookies?"
"Yes."
"For who?"
Mia gave him a look.
"Why are you asking so many questions?"
Nathan smiled.
"I was curious."
Mia turned back toward the oven.
"You'll find out later."
Nathan walked toward the refrigerator.
"I'm hungry."
"You just ate."
"That was hours ago."
"It was two hours ago."
"Exactly."
Mia shook her head.
Nathan opened the refrigerator.
"Where did the juice go?"
"Top shelf."
Nathan reached inside.
Mia happened to be standing beside the refrigerator.
At the same moment, she leaned forward to look inside too.
Nathan turned his head.
Mia turned hers.
Their faces suddenly ended up inches apart.
They both froze.
Mia's eyes widened.
Nathan didn't move.
Neither did she.
"You're in my way," Mia whispered.
"You came over here."
"I was checking something."
"So was I."
"Then check it."
"I am."
Neither moved.
Mia slowly tried to step backward.
Nathan shifted at exactly the same time.
Their lips accidentally met.
Again.
They immediately froze.
Mia's eyes widened.
Nathan's did too.
After a second, they pulled apart.
Silence.
Mia stared at him.
"Seriously?"
Nathan blinked.
"I didn't do that on purpose."
"I know."
"This keeps happening."
"I know."
They stood there awkwardly.
Nathan finally closed the refrigerator door.
"I think we need to stop standing this close to each other."
Mia nodded quickly.
"Agreed."
They both stepped backward at the same time.
Then Mia started laughing.
Nathan looked at her.
"What?"
"I'm sorry."
"Why are you laughing?"
"Because this is becoming ridiculous."
Nathan couldn't help laughing too.
"Three times."
Mia covered her face.
"Don't count."
"I'm just saying."
"I don't want to hear the number."
Nathan smiled.
"Fine."
Mia turned toward the oven.
The timer suddenly rang.
She jumped.
"Oh!"
She quickly opened the oven and pulled out the tray.
The smell of freshly baked cookies filled the kitchen.
Nathan's attention immediately shifted.
"Those smell good."
Mia smiled.
"You can have one."
"Only one?"
"You were complaining about being hungry."
"Exactly."
She placed a cookie on a small plate and handed it to him.
Nathan took a bite.
His expression changed.
"These are really good."
Mia smiled proudly.
"Really?"
"Really."
She picked up another one.
"I didn't know you could bake."
"I have many talents."
Nathan nodded.
"I've noticed."
Mia looked at him.
"What does that mean?"
"Nothing."
She smiled.
"You'd better mean it as a compliment."
"It was."
She took a bite of her own cookie.
For a while, they stood together in the kitchen, eating the cookies and talking about their day.
The earlier awkwardness slowly disappeared.
The strange moment became just another memory between them.
But neither of them could deny that something about their relationship was becoming different.
They were more thoughtful toward each other.
They looked for each other's company.
They laughed more.
And now, somehow, they had managed to accidentally kiss three times.
Mia glanced at Nathan.
"Promise me something."
"What?"
"If we ever end up in this situation again, neither of us is going to panic."
Nathan smiled.
"Deal."
"And no blaming each other."
"Deal."
Mia held out her hand.
Nathan shook it.
They both laughed.
Neither realized that the promise would probably be harder to keep than they thought.