Chapter 10

A/N: I'm a million times sorry, I know you hate me as much as you hate the new girl Talia. Sorry, sorry, sorry.

A new day came about quickly. While Fiona and Imogen slept undisturbed in their bed, Eli, Clare and Adam were on their way to the bakery. Cake tasting. Clare could hardly wait. It made this situation less awkward when she knew there would be carrot cake as a reward. Adam sat quietly next to Eli in his car. Although it was quiet, it was simple and calm. There was no drama in the air and Clare was not watching Eli as she had in the past. It was always so difficult to watch her watch him. Unrequited love was painful to watch, especially in the current environment. Adam was tired. His body was fully awake but he felt a pull at his chest. He only wished he could stay in his bed all day. This feeling he diagnosed as 'the blues'. The beautiful Ms. Coyne was to thank. As always.

Eli drove silently, glancing back at Clare's blank expression. Imogen had fallen asleep in her bed last night. She usually snuck into his room around 1, but last night she hadn't. He didn't think much of it. It had been a long day. He had enjoyed the alone time to think. He usually felt that time to think was a bad idea, but lately he saw that thinking led him to logic. It was his dreams that were his enemy. They tricked him, fooled him. He was angry at himself when he awoke. That he could fall so deeply into the idea and not feel guilt. He was simply happy in his dreams. Then came reality. He just wished he could live in his dreams forever, to escape from the mess he'd made.

When they arrived in front of the New Jersey bakery, they all smiled with content. This was going to be a good day.

" I knew there was a reason for helping out." smiled Clare, walking into the bakery. The aromas of cannolli, cream filling and chocolate surrounded her.

" I found my heaven." whispered Adam into Eli's ear. Eli smirked.

" Excuse me." he asked the receptionist. "We're here for the Goldsworthy wedding." The plump lady smiled widely.

" Fantastic! We have you in the back room." She chuckled along while leading them into a separate room.

" Do you think she's going to kill us and make us into cream puffs?" whispered Adam to Clare.

" No, I think she's going to kill us and make us into flambe!" returned Clare with a smile. They took their seats as the woman scurried away. There were three chairs and a long table in front of them. The room was pink as a flower.

" So..." started Eli, feeling a little uncomfortable.

" Do you remember your Romeo and Jules play?" asked Clare suddenly.

" Of course I do, it was my senior year project." laughed Eli, turning to look at Clare who avoided his gaze.

" I worked with Becky Baker my first year out of university." Clare said quietly. Adam perked up.

" You did what?" Clare smiled.

" She was working as a secretary at Metro, the free newspaper I wrote for." The two boys exchanged smiles.

" Becky Baker." sighed Eli. "She was a piece of work." Clare smiled at Eli's relaxing face.

" She was sweet, just misguided." Clare said sitting up in her chair.

" Do you keep in touch with her?" Adam asked. Clare shrugged.

" Of and on. I went to a community meeting a couple months ago. Her company was organizing it. We've gone for coffee a couple times."

" You and Becky Baker?" smiled Eli. Clare grinned at him.

" She really a very sweet girl." Eli scoffed. The woman came back with three slices of cake. As soon as she rested the plates on the table she exited. Eli grabbed the red velvet cake and dug in.

" Okay, I think we have a winner." he said through bites of cake. Clare rolled her eyes.

" No, Imogen hates red velvet." Eli nodded,

" Yeah, I forgot that."

" Jesus man, you're marrying the girl and you don't know her favorite cake?" Adam smiled, scooping up the carrot cake. Eli shifted in his seat.

" I forget a lot of stuff."

" Your vows must be great." mumbled Clare. Eli turned to look at her.

" What?" Clare reacted quickly.

" Nothing, never mind. I think carrot is good. Healthy, classy..."

" Do you have a problem?" Eli asked, tension growing in his voice.

" Eli, take a minute." Adam said.

" No. Clare?" Eli said, brushing Adam aside. " Is there a problem?"

" No." said Clare directly. Her eyes connected with his, for what seemed like the first time since she got here. His jaw was tight and anger was written all over his face. His piercing eyes bore into Clare's very soul.

" Then why did you say that?" he seethed. Clare could feel her heart race and her heart ache.

" I have to go to the bathroom. Excuse me."

She rushed out of the room, maintaining her poise and she heard footsteps after her. She got out of the main door of the bakery when Eli's strong hand whipped her around.

" You don't get to act like this." he yelled. Clare took a deep breath.

" I didn't do anything wrong, you're overreacting."

" Don't treat me like a child." he said calmly. Clare let out a breath.

" Eli, I'm sorry I said that. I was just..."

" Just what?" Eli said, watching her expression morph into an unrecognizable emotion.

" This is hard for me." she finally said.

" I'm so sorry." Eli said sarcastically. Clare's expression hardened. She turned to walk away. Eli grabbed at her again.

" Don't touch me!" she said loudly.

" You're not allowed to be upset. It's been 2 years."

" I didn't know there was an expiration date on anger." Clare sneered.

" You broke up with me!" Eli yelled.

" No I didn't!" Clare hollered back. Eli was silenced with this remark. Clare's eyes filled with tears. Her lips pressed tightly as she tried to regain composure.

" You said no." Eli said quietly. Clare sucked in air.

" There is no point in talking about this. You're marrying her. We are done."

" Then why are you so upset?" Eli asked desperately.

" Because, you're marrying her." Clare said. With this remark, she walked away, wiping her single tear from falling down her face. Eli stood in shock outside the bakery, as Clare turned the corner and left.