Chapter 40

A T I Y A

Atiya watched Detty circle the kitchen and 80s music streamed from the speakers under the cabinets. This whole collaboration while tearing down the shop's kitchen didn't work out. Only three days later, Atiya has already tried to strangle his best friend. Their cooking method couldn't be more different. Atiya retreats to her side as Detty dances past her. Why did it take so long to bake the cupcakes? "You're doing it again," Detty called over his shoulder, stirring the creamy concoction on the stove. Atiya forced a smile. "What to do?"

"You frown. You'll get wrinkles."

Atiya reached out and rubbed his forehead. She didn't want to be so upset. But as April continues to accept Aquila ' help and is constantly reminded that he is behind everything in her life that has crushed her, she turns into a bear. She rolled her shoulders back and gave her a sigh. "I'm sorry," she said, walking to her best friend. Detty put his arm around her shoulder. "It's okay. I get it. If the person I fell in love with treats me like that, I'll be in trouble too."

"The guy I'm in love with - Detty , no. I think you could be wrong."

Detty looked at her. "I think you may be wrong. There's only one reason women are as angry as you are," she clicked. "And it has to do with the L word."

"Hate?"

Detty shook her head. "no."

"Are you lonely?"

Detty nudged her on the shoulder. "Love."

The thought made Atiya angry with her. "Hint, I don't love Aquila Scott ." When Detty didn't answer, Atiya glanced at her and groaned. "TRUE."

"Okay. I can't believe it." She smiled as she took the pot off the stove. Atiya walked over to the oven and grunted as she looked at the cupcakes. It wasn't a topic she wanted to talk about. Didn't she sneak out of the store to get away from Aquila ? Why did he have to follow her wherever she went? There was a knock on Detty 's front door, pulling her out of the kitchen. Grateful to be alone, Atiya stroked the top of the cupcake. They bounced so she took her molds out of the oven and placed them on her cooling rack. That was what she needed. Uninterrupted baking time. Don't talk about Aquila to confuse time. "Hey, Atiya ?"

She dropped her potholder on the counter and walked towards Detty 's voice. "yes?"

"There is someone here who wants to meet you."

Atiya 's heart raced as she turned the corner. That was a silly answer. Who knew she was here? Her heart sank when she saw Georgia standing next to Detty . Why was Aquila ' driver grinning? Didn't you say he was from another world? Why didn't he leave her? "Hey," she said, trying not to look behind Georgia to see if Aquila was there. "He's not here," Georgia said, as if to sense her surprise.

Atiya shrugged her shoulders. "I know." But then she mentally slapped herself for sounding too stupid. "But he let me pick him up," she said. "Do you have a coat?"

Atiya folded his arms. "Where are you taking me?"

Georgia's smile wavered. "I, hmm. . . I am not allowed to say such a thing. "

"I can't go. I'll make cupcakes." There was no way she could get in Aquila ' limousine without knowing where she was going. Detty appeared in his coat. "No, I will handle it," she said. "You're leaving. It will be good for you." She lowered her voice and whispered, "The end."

Atiya shut her up. No information is required to return to Aquila . Although she had never really spoken to Georgia, she was convinced that her loyalty lay with her superiors. After Detty and Georgia stared at each other in silence several times, Atiya roared and took Detty 's coat away. "Okay. Let's go."

Detty walked to the door and clapped his hand as he opened it. "Great. I'll take care of everything here. You go and have fun."

Atiya gave Detty the most terrifying look he had ever gathered in passing. Detty just smiled and tapped her on the shoulder. "It's okay!" she sang as she closed the door. Atiya folded her arms. She wasn't supposed to be okay. She didn't like it. She breathed November air through her lips. She gripped it tightly and let it go slowly. There was no reason to be upset about it at this point. She had no idea what was going on. She may have been nothing. But then the memory of the torn kitchen came to me and I sighed. There was something about this trip. That's always been the case with Aquila Scott .

Twenty minutes later, the Georgia Airways landed at a small airport outside New York City. Atiya straightened his back and looked out the window. Was she kidnapped? Before thinking about jumping out of the car, Georgia parked the limousine next to the helicopter. Atiya 's heart was beating so loudly that she could hear it. What happened? Then Aquila appeared in her sight, and her heart was beating for a completely different reason. He was standing next to a man in dark blue overalls and talking. Atiya closed her eyes and swallowed. Why did he always have to look so good? Why did her heart race and her stomach ache when she saw him? She wasn't in love with him. He was just a friend. He is actually an acquaintance. He is a man from a completely different world. She stared at him with her fists clenched. But the friends she's ever had didn't feel like she was floating just looking at him. Georgia got out of the car and walked towards him. He turned around and smiled at her. She said something and Atiya wished she could read her lips. She flinched when Aquila ' eyes fell on the window she was looking out of. No need to read her lips. She was sure they were talking about herself. Now out of his sight, she took a few deep breaths. "Stay strong, Atiya ," she chanted to herself. I tapped on the glass and turned her attention to the door. Aquila peered out the window. A smile formed on his lips as his gaze met hers. His dimples piqued her interest. She watched him reach out his hand and open the door. Having him near her left her almost paralyzed. She swallowed. She lost her sanity. What was wrong with her? "Are you okay?" he asked, placing her arm on the roof of the limousine and looking down at her. She nodded. Everything else in her body seemed to forget how it works. There was something nostalgic about his smile. The rhythm of his voice. How the wind picks up her scent and envelops her in its scent. Why did its presence confuse and excite her at the same time? "Great." He held out his hand. "Light up. I can't spend the whole afternoon there."

She put her hand in his hand. She tried to ignore the electric shock that ran up her arm to her heart. He helped her When the doors of her limousine closed, he escorted her to the helicopter. "I'm sorry," he said in her soulful voice. She turned to him, but she wasn't sure if he really spoke. Did he say sorry? "For what?" Oh, nice. She really remembered how she spoke.