Thirty-Eight Reasons

by Len Webster

  She stared at the red Mustang and smiled. “Merry Christmas, Alex!”

  “What?” Alex leaned over the roof of the car and stared at Keira.

  She let out a laugh. “I was going to surprise you. Last time we were here, you said the exact same thing about this car. So I’m going to get it shipped to New York in the New Year.”

  “No way! Darling, are you serious?” Alex gaped.

  “Alex, I wouldn’t lie about your beloved Mustang. I’m just scared that you’ll love this car more than me.”

  Alex’s eyes went wide and he stalked around the car, taking Keira’s hands in his.

  “Never, ever, darling. Never. It’s just a car. You know how much I love you.” Alex reassured.

  Noel felt someone loop an arm around his. He looked to see his gran smiling up at him.

  “Ready to see your fiancée graduate, Nolan?” Gran smiled.

  “She’s not my fiancée, yet. You know she could say no.”

  Alex’s loud laugh caught his attention.

  “My sister is not going to say no to you. She broke off her engagement to Liam for you and is moving to Boston to be with you. My sister is in love with you. Now don’t be a little shit tonight and just ask her!”

  The playful tease didn’t mask Alex’s impatience with him. There were times during their two-week stay in New York that had him almost proposing, impatience almost getting the better of him. But he wanted his proposal to be special.

  Gran’s hold of his arm tightened and he looked at her sullen face. “It’s a shame that your family couldn’t be here today, Alex.”

  Noel’s heart sank. That was one thing he couldn’t do for Clara and that was have her parents at her graduation. He also didn’t hear back from Liam either. Giving his gran a reassuring smile, he led her up to the hall doors.

  Relief filled his body when he saw the man he’d been waiting for, next to a woman and a little girl. Releasing his gran’s arm, he walked over and shook his hand.

  “I’m glad you made it. You have no idea how much she’ll appreciate it,” Noel said.

  When they finished shaking hands, a smile plastered his face and Noel was pleased.

  “It’s her graduation day. I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Sorry I didn’t get back to your calls. Only got back from Ireland a few days ago and was up in Sydney,” Liam explained.

  Before Noel could say anything else, he heard a small girl’s voice speak.

  “Li, is this prince charming?”

  Looking down, Noel saw the little blonde girl smile at him, one hand clutching Liam's. Crouching down, Noel’s eyes met the big blue eyes that Clara helplessly loved.

  “Yes, CeCe. This is Clara’s prince charming,” Liam confirmed.

  Looking up, Noel could see the sadness in Liam’s eyes.

  “We had to explain why the wedding was called off and well, this was the only way Liam could explain it to her. I’m Ally, by the way.”

  His eyes lit up as he remembered those sad hazel eyes from the wedding months before. She had Liam’s eyes and she was beautiful, not as beautiful as Clara, but Ally O'Connor was stunning.

  “Where’s Clara?” He heard Rob’s voice behind him.

  Noel watched as those hazel eyes looked up, the hope that consumed Ally’s face had Noel realising the attraction she had for his best friend. He smiled as Ally’s eyes met Rob’s. Turning his head, Noel saw the surprise on Rob’s face to see her. Rob tensed and he looked down at Noel.

  “She’s waiting with the other graduates. We’ll see her inside,” Noel replied.

  He felt the tension between Rob and Ally. Rob’s tough nature had her frowning and looking away. She looked almost dejected at his dislike for her.

  “Are you a nice prince?” CeCe asked innocently.

  Noel looked at those big blue eyes and the little girl already pulled him in.

  “I hope I am. I’m Noel,” he introduced himself and held out his hand.

  CeCe smiled at him and placed her small hand in his. She let out a giggle as they shook hands. He understood why Clara found it hard to let them go. They were a family that loved her unconditionally.

  Standing up, he gave CeCe a wink before he looked at Ally. “It’s nice to meet you, Ally. I’m Noel.”

  She looked apprehensive but a quick glance at Liam and she smiled at Noel.

  “It’s good to finally meet you.” Ally gave him a sincere smile.

  “Noel.”

  He heard a familiar voice behind him. He turned to see Stevie, Annie and Jarred walk up the path to the group. They stood next to his parents, his mother holding Clara’s bouquet. There was a painful look on Rob’s face as he looked at Stevie. The sorrow in her eyes told him they didn’t make it. For some reason, he believed they weren’t right for each other. Both trying to make something out of nothing but he wasn’t sure. He just didn’t see Rob being the one for Stevie.

  Pulling Annie in for a hug, he held her tight until she laughed. “Congratulations are in order, Mrs. Harper.”

  Annie beamed up at him, her smile honest and filled with joy. “You too, Noel.” He could tell she was holding back her joy for him and Clara. She was respecting Liam’s feelings.

  “Look, I’d love to continue this catch up but my sister is about to graduate. Can we get going, I don’t want to miss it,” Alex moaned as he started ushering everyone towards the entrance of the graduation hall of Le Cordon Bleu. Today was Alex's day to be a proud big brother.

  Clara’s brother placed his hand on Noel’s shoulder, stopping him from going into the hall. Noel looked up at his best friend and gave him a smile.

  Alex arched an eyebrow at him before whispering, “Not getting cold feet, are you?”

  He shook his head. “Nope. Tonight’s the night.”

  “Ahh, Nolan,” his mother said, gaining their attention. Noel turned to see her holding up the tulips.

  “Oh, right!” Noel said as he gave his mother a kiss on the cheek and took the purple tulips. Looking at them he smiled.

  It all started with a purple tulip.

  The moment she received her certificate, Clara was ecstatic. Leaving her bachelor was a tough and risky move, but hard work and the love of cooking got her the certificate in her hands. After countless photos with her fellow graduates and her chef mentors, Clara walked out of the hall with a large smile on her face. The final step before she took the final dive and moved to Boston. By the end of the night, she would tell him that she was offered a job at a French-Mediterranean restaurant on Columbus Ave in the South End, seven minutes from Noel’s old apartment.

  Getting into contact with Danny and his networks, Clara had several Skype interviews the day after she got off the phone with her mentor. Danny was now an established and well-respected chef in San Francisco, his recommendation got Clara a dessert and pastry intern position at Mistral. It was only an entry position that paid less than she made at the bakery but this time she’d be working in a real kitchen and learning from Boston’s best dessert and pastry chefs.

  The first thing she saw was her boyfriend holding a bouquet of purple tulips and a smile on his face, his eyes filled with pride. She looked over at his light green dress shirt and his black dress pants. He dressed for the occasion and she truly did love him in green. Two weeks together and it was perfect. She couldn’t wait to start a life with him. She took off her white top hat and ran up to him, her hands wrapping around his neck and she kissed him hard and passionately.

  “Congratulations, baby,” Noel mumbled against her lips.

  Clara smiled and withdrew her lips. She looked into those green eyes that put her in a trance most of the time. She was unbelievably in love with all of him.

  “These are for you,” he said once they untangled.

  She smiled at the purple tulips. Clara handed him her certificate and hat, holding the bouquet and taking in the fresh smell of her favourite flower.

  “Clary!”

  Turning around, her heart stopped at the little girl
she loved so hopelessly. Clara handed Noel the tulips before she bent down and held her arms open for CeCe to ran into them.

  “How have you been, pretty girl?” Clara asked as she held CeCe in her arms, tears escaped, she was happy that she didn’t lose any of the O’Connors in her life. Looking up she saw her former-fiancé walk up to her.

  “You came.” She smiled.

  “Of course, sweetheart. It’s your big day.” Liam grinned.

  He didn’t drop the 'sweetheart' and she didn’t mind. Noel owned her heart. One nickname wouldn’t send her running back to Liam. A smile on Ally’s face told her they could all be happy, still be in each other’s lives considering the mess she put everyone through. CeCe held on tight and she had grown so much since the first day she met her.

  “You ready to go eat lots and lots of cupcakes?” she softly asked in CeCe’s ear.

  “Yes! I want the pink ones!” she said excitedly.

  Clara handed her back to Liam. He put her down, but didn't let go of her hand. Turning she saw Stevie and Rob with distance between them. She frowned at the sight. Stevie let Rob go, she couldn’t move on with Rob and it broke Clara’s heart to see them so apart. But Clara knew Stevie’s pain. If only she knew who it was that Stevie fell in love with, she could track him down. But Clara decided to put it to rest. She’d let Fate take charge for them all.

  “Photo time!” Noel’s mother, Louise, said.

  Clara’s shoulders sagged. Looking around, everyone was dressed stunningly and she was in her chef’s jacket and pants.

  “Mum,” Noel whined next to her.

  “Come on, I want photos of you both before Clara moves to Boston with you!”

  Clara froze. She quickly turned around to see shocked and hurt expressions on both Ally and Liam’s faces.

  “I’m so sorry,” Louise quickly apologised. Clara swallowed the lump in her throat.

  “Boston?” Liam breathed out in disbelief.

  “Liam,” Clara tried.

  “No. I let you be with him and he takes you away?” Liam’s voice rose slightly higher.

  She heard Noel’s voice behind her, but she tuned him out. The hurt in Liam’s eyes was one she hated herself for. “I’m moving to Boston to be with him.”

  Liam shook his head. “I don’t understand. Why can’t he move here to be with you? Why does he have to take you all the way to America? I’m okay seeing you both together.”

  “I’m the one who wants to move, Liam. Noel’s tried to get me to stay here, but I won’t budge. I want to move to America to be with him and Alex.”

  “If you go, we’ll never see you,” Liam said, dejected.

  Clara looked up at the cloudless sky and took a deep breath in. She didn’t think it would be this hard, but it was. Liam being away and not answering her calls gave her no opportunity to tell him of her decision.

  “Liam, I’m moving to be with Noel. I love him.”

  Giving CeCe to Ally, Liam took a step forward and looked down at her. “And what about us, Clara? You’re just going to leave us behind?”

  Her lips parted and the shock entered her body from his words. She didn’t know what to say.

  “Okay,” Liam breathed out before he turned around and walked towards the car park.

  “Liam,” she called out but he kept walking.

  Ally offered Clara an apologetic smile and said, “I’ll see you at the bakery,” before chasing after her brother, CeCe holding her hand.

  Clara took a step towards them and Noel’s hand on her arm held her back.

  “Let me,” he said.

  She was too speechless to say anything to him.

  She nodded and forced a smile. The hurt look in his eyes was her fault and all she wanted to do was make Liam happy, but not at the expense of Noel.

  “Rob, mind coming with me?”

  She heard Rob take two steps next to them.

  “I’m sorry, Nolan,” Louise apologised once again.

  “It’s all right, Mum. Not your fault. Let’s take a quick photo before I go talk to him.”

  Noel’s sad eyes met hers as he blocked the vision of Liam walking away. “Baby, it’s okay. I’ll talk to him.”

  She shook her head and smiled up at him. She wasn’t going to leave Noel. Not ever again.

  Turning around, Noel wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her in close. “I’m proud of you, Clara,” he whispered and she smiled in time for the photo.

  She took a photo with Rob before Noel gave her a quick kiss and said, “I’ll see you at the bakery.” He handed her white top hat, bouquet and certificate to Alex and went off after Liam.

  Clara stood there watching Noel and Rob walk away. She felt a hand on her shoulder and she turned to see the tight smile on her brother’s face.

  “Noel will work this out. Your not changing your mind about him and Boston are you?”

  Clara frowned. Though she was insulted for the question her brother asked, she knew he was only asking.

  “I’m moving to Boston. I want a life with Noel.”

  The tight smile on Alex’s face broke into a large grin.

  Her eyes met with Noel’s family. The smiles on their faces had Clara mirroring theirs. The tears in Louise and Gran’s eyes had her heart filling with warmth. When Clara was a little girl she always loved Louise and Granny Parker, they showed her a maternal love her mother didn’t.

  “Forget that happened. Let’s take photos,” she reassured her family and friends.

  They all seemed to relax at the smile she gave. However, in the back of her mind she was dreading the outcomes of Noel and Liam’s talk.

  ⌘

  Once Alex parked the car, Clara went into the bakery bathroom and changed out of her chef jacket and pants into a pale purple dress. She returned to the party to see familiar faces and the bakery she would be saying goodbye to.

  “Congratulations, Clara.”

  She smiled at Nadia, the new head baker of The Little Bakery. Having heard of the plans, the bakery would be a dessert restaurant, serving a three-course dessert based menu. Nadia was instrumental in the change in business direction. Her Italian up bringing and specialty would certainly make The Little Bakery one of the best restaurants in the city.

  “Thank you, Nadia. I saw the menu and it’s impressive.”

  Nadia blushed and shook her head. “I have some pretty big shoes to fill.”

  Clara let out a laugh. “No, you don’t. I made cupcakes and that’s it. You are turning this place into a restaurant.”

  Clara saw the pride in her chocolate eyes. Nadia smiled and excused herself to go speak to Josie. Stevie was by Clara’s side instantly. Clara looked at the guests that came to celebrate her graduation. In a corner were Annie, Jarred, Alex and Keira talking, and towards the table of finger foods were Noel’s family, Marcus, Louise, George and Granny Parker. Penelope couldn’t make it as she had to visit her family in New South Wales, George would be flying out to meet her later in the evening.

  Sienna sat on a stool as she tapped her foot towards the soft play of music. She looked up at Clara and smiled, holding no resentment towards breaking her best friend’s heart. The moment the familiar bakery doorbell rung, she quickly turned to see Max walk through the door, Clara’s brother met him half way. Max looked over at her, giving her a controlled smile before it faded and he walked over to George.

  “He’s sorry, you know?” Stevie pointed out.

  Sighing, Clara turned to face her best friend. “I know. I tried so many times to talk to him in New York but he just kept saying ‘I’m sorry’ and then kept walking off. It’s not his fault I believed Sarah and let her get to me.”

  Stevie nodded her head. “You were pretty stupid for believing that bitch. If I had known that was what broke you two up, I wouldn’t have let Noel go to Boston.”

  “I know. But I was looking for a way out. But I’m not going through that all again. I can’t lose him anymore. Noel keeps apologising for even going to Valerie’s that ni
ght. What’s going on with you and Rob?”

  There was a huff from Stevie and she took a long drink from her wine glass. “I told him I couldn’t do it. I told him to go back to Jewel. We got her jealous enough.”

  “Still not over Thailand guy?”

  Stevie stared into her glass. “Guess not. But Rob was bringing back too many memories and I couldn’t do it again. It was nice having him care and everything, but with his rowing career and my marketing internship, there was just no time to try.”

  She placed her hand on Stevie’s shoulder and offered a smile.

  “Plus, I saw the way he looked at Ally at Annie and Jarred’s wedding. She’s got his attention. I’m kind of glad that she has, means for a quicker escape for me. I just wish he would show his interest so openly, she thinks he hates her.”

  “For a long time, I thought Rob hated me too. He’s like that though—” before she could continue, the bell rang and she saw Noel walk through the newly painted blue door. She pushed off the counter and ran up to him, inspecting every inch of him. His face was clear of any bruises and marks.

  “Thank God,” she breathed out before she grabbed him by the shirt and kissed him. Relief poured into her heart once he composed himself enough to kiss back. It was desperate and full of desire. It wasn’t the slow kisses she loved but a kiss that marked her as his.

  She pulled back and panted. He had a way with her but right now, she was thankful he wasn’t hurt. She lightly touched his cheek and breathed out.

  “Clara,” Liam said gaining her attention. “I’m sorry about back there. I just didn’t expect you to move so quickly. I’m happy for you. I really am, you have my blessing and my support.”

  Clara’s heart finally relaxed. She had his support.

  She saw the genuine happiness in Liam’s eyes and she smiled up at him. He was going to find 'The One' soon enough.

  “Thank you, Liam. I appreciate your support more than anything.”

  Liam nodded and excused himself, walking up to the table of food. Ally, CeCe and Rob followed through the bakery doors, smiled at Clara and joined in on the party.

  She felt Noel’s body relax next to her. It must have been some talk between them. Wrapping his arm around her waist, he held her close as they looked over at the long table of food at the end of the bakery. His touch was one she'd never want to run from again.