Olivia seemed slightly mad. And rightfully so. Who could blame her, though? In the span of a week my life had drastically changed and I didn't even tell her about it. Not about me quitting, not about me getting a job at L'Amour and then fully accepting to be one of its owners, and not about the most recent developments in my love life, which include, none other than the other owner of the bakery himself, Sébastien Martin.

"I am so sorry for not telling you about it soon, Liv." My voice sounded like a plea as the words rolled out of my tongue. "It wasn't like I had any particular reason not to, but I guess I just.... didn't want to tell anyone until everything was finalized."

Actually, that was not entirely true. Similarly to my brother and sister in law, I didn't feel too happy about sharing the details of how my ex (who's behind bars) is going through great lengths to find me, with Olivia. Which, needless to say, was taking a huge part in me making this decision.

She stared at me, looking unbothered and not breaking her poker face, to the point where I couldn't tell what she was thinking.

"And in my defense, when I went to see Sébastien to sign the contract for L'Amour, I had no idea that he'd offer me part of the establishment. I thought I would just be creating recipes and cooking them. Maybe even waitress from time to time when needed."

"I've got to admit," She started, and the air grew thicker between us with the tension her silence was creating. I held my breath and felt my heart racing against my ribcage while I waited for her to continue.

"I am so happy that you're going after what you want, Mel." The words were followed by a smile she cracked.

I exhaled in relief, but not before letting my lips form a grin. I thanked her and then proceeded to take a sip of my hot chocolate.

We chose to meet up at Magic Beans, a bakery in Hampstead where we sometimes go to. The atmosphere is great, fully living to the expectations of a bakery serving warm beverages and sweet pastries, in the middle of fall season, in London.

"And I'm so excited that you and Sébastien are finally dating! God knows how long you've deserved to be with someone who's good for you."

I knew her intentions were good and her heart was in the right place, but I couldn't help but feel a strange tingling feeling run down my back when I heard her words.

"We're not dating." I quickly stated, setting the record straight and making sure my tone wouldn't allow any form of doubts.

"How are you not?" Olivia sounded outraged. "The man made a full confession of his love for you!"

Her blue eyes were open so wide, I thought they'd pop out of their sockets. "And you kissed him!"

"Yeah, I know, but-"

"No buts." She firmly said. "You need to talk about your relationship and where you two stand. I mean, he was pretty clear about it, he loves you. But what about you?"

I thought long and hard about her question. I knew it was a question I needed to answer, not only to Olivia, but to Sébastien as well, he deserved it. But most importantly, I needed to answer that question to myself.

"I..." I hesitated before carrying on with my speech. "I admit that I've been different ever since I met him. He makes me feel different. Good different. And he's impacted my life in ways I couldn't even fathom to imagine. Not to mention how much I like seeing him around Lexi."

"Okay, well... what's the catch, then?" She asked. Knowing me so well, Olivia knew better than to just take my word for it. "I don't see any. And my intuition tells me you're not telling me everything."

"It's gonna take time." I blurted out after what felt like an eternity of silence. And then I spend an equal amount of time fidgeting with the paper cup holder, tearing it apart more and more every time my nail ran down the little creases.

"It's gonna take some time before I can admit to myself that I like him, without any doubts or second guessing. Or voices in the back of my head."

"I know, love." She placed her hand on top of mine, and I immediately looked at her to find a warm expression of love. Not pity. I knew Olivia would never pity me, because she always thought of me as the strongest person that walked the Earth. "But no matter how long it takes, please don't ever give up on the happy ending you deserve."

"It's funny, you know?" Olivia looked intrigued after my rhetorical question, and I went on. "If this was the other way around and you were the one in my shoes, I would be the first to tell you to chase after your happiness. To let go of the scars that the past has left on your heart, and to jump into a relationship that makes you feel happy."

"But I can't say that to myself. I feel like I'm self sabotaging my happiness and my future by not being that open to a new relationship, but... I just can't. I can't bring myself to give my own advice to myself."

"No, Mel... don't beat yourself up about it." She rushed to say, just in time for me to keep the tears at bay, and not let them fall. "I'm sorry if I'm so direct sometimes. You're the one who needs to know when it's right for you."

She gave my hand a squeeze, and after blinking a couple of times, she got my full attention as I looked up at her.. "And you know, if Seb is the right guy, he'll wait for you. He'll wait until you're ready."

And in the midst of all the tears I had been trying so hard not to let fall, I smiled, remembering how Sébastien himself had said those exact words to me before. In what seemed like a different context, but, deep down, it really wasn't.

"Everybody's got their own timing. You've got yours, and you owe it to yourself to respect it."

Olivia was right, and that was exactly what I was planning on doing. Respecting myself, my timing and if it was right and meant to be, then it would eventually work out just fine.

And this conversation with Olivia was what gave me the courage to text Sébastien once I got home.

Mel: Hi! Wanna go on a date this Saturday night?

Sébastien: You know I would never refuse a date with you.

Sure, I liked him and he confessed his feelings for me as well, but there was so much about each other that we didn't know yet. I wanted to take that step with him, and see where it would take us.

And I guess we would be starting with a date.

* * *

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Slowly but surely, Melanie and Seb's relationship is starting to take off... So so happy for their development! And I do love it when two best friends sit down to talk and support each other's happiness 💕 

Next chapter is going to be their... DATE!!!

Please vote if you liked this chapter and consider leaving a comment with your opinion!

You can always expect chapter sneak peeks, trivia games, q&a's and much much more on my IG (missmarswrites), so... see each other there? 💖

Last but not least, my brand new story - "Loose Ends of You and Me" - is out, first chapter's already out and the second one will be out later this week! Would love to see you there!

Xoxo, Mars