bon appetit

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Liam shook his head and smiled at Maddie, “I think that there are some people that has some influence on her,” he replied, “and I think that I’m loose enough.” It wasn’t the first time he had heard someone tell him that he needed to loosen up some, mostly his sister was the one telling him to relax and loosen up, go out and have some fun. “I don’t think my daughter told you to mess with me,” he replied, if she had, well then, he was going to have a talk with her about what was appropriate to talk to people about. “Where did you read that?” he asked, “because that sounds like some weird inspirational quote you can read on a poster.”

He smiled at her, nodding his head, “you make it really easy,” he said, “I’m just glad that you don’t have some weird food preference or allergies.” It was so much more fun to cook when he didn’t have to think about ingredients or allergies he could just make what he felt like. Liam smiled at her, “it looks like it, I know someone that will be happy about that.” He followed her to the car, and climbed into the passenger seat, and he told her where he lived and gave her the directions. 

“I did! It’s actually on a billboard about a mile down the road” Madison said with a laugh. Even she had some trouble taking her own advice. It was hard! All her friends had told her she had to slow down and enjoy life but that was tough when you had a business to run. A successful business, a successful bakery in town at that. The times were hard and at the end of the day the last thing she wanted to do was get pretty and go out and have a good time but she knew she had to, she was still so young. It was hard but she did it.

She took her eyes off the road and looked at Liam for a moment and let out a soft laugh. “Who doesn’t love a snow day” she smiled, looking back onto the road as she drove in the right direction to Liam’ house. “She’ll be happy about that because she gets to spend time with you. If she’s home you can’t go to work and she likes that”. Madison looked over at Liam once more. “She told me during one class she misses that but she knows your work is important as well” she said in a more serious tone. She focused her eyes back on the road, chewing on her lower lip. “Christmas music” Madison asked in a more cheerful tone before turning on her radio, the Christmas music starting to play on the radio of her car.

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“Of course you would love that,” he replied, it seemed like a lot of people seemed to like to mess with him, “I have a feeling that either you have a bad influence on Riley, or she’s having a bad influence on you.” It seemed like his daughter had decided on messing more and more with him these days. “Okay, sounds good to me,” he replied a smile playing over Liam’s lips. The night had been eventful, and he had had a good time, he hadn’t thought that it would be like this, but it felt like Madison was like an old friend to him even if he just had gotten a chance to get to know her better.

Liam nodded his head, “I can do that,” he said smiling at her, “any allergies I need to know about?” The last thing he wanted was to make something and it turned out that she was allergic to it, he had made that mistake once, he had used peanut oil to cook, and the girl he had cooked for was allergic to peanuts.

Madison let out a soft chuckle. She stood beside him, a grin on her lips. “Or maybe nobody has an influence on her and you just need to loosen up a bit Liam Collins” she teased. A smile growing on her lips. “Maybe Madison has told me to mess with you a bit but she isn’t lying, Liam. It’s okay to let loose and forget work for a bit even after work hours” she said giving him a playful shrug. “Even sometimes I forget to do that. It’s hard, it is but if we don’t live then life and live in the moment then it will just float by us and that’s not living” she said in a more serious tone. A small smile on her lips.

As she got her coat and gathered all of her things, she shook her head in response. She had absolutely no allergies. Well none that she was aware of anyway. “None. Whatever you wanna make is perfect” Madison smiled. She led him outside and locked up her bakery. She turned around to see the snow falling before them. “It’s gonna be a white Christmas now” Madison smiled. It was still days away but it excited her. “Come on. All you gotta do is show me the way and I’ll get you home, Collins” she teased leading him to her car.

madisonwhelan​:

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“He can cook,” Liam replied, he was almost sure that he had told her that already. “And he thinks that we both need to eat something that isn’t sweet cookies,” he smiled at her. “Well,” he began, “maybe you can drive me since I actually took a taxi here,” he said, and rubbed a hand over his head. “And then the festivities can begin.” 

Liam had a feeling that it would be pretty nice to spend with someone that wasn’t his daughter or family, and he liked spending time with her. He followed her to her car, and got in, and he made sure to give her directions for where they were going. “So is there something you’re really craving?” he asked, “since I can cook most meals.”

“I know you can I just love messing with ya” Madison said with a chuckle leaving her lips. “And absolutely. Any festivities and I am there” she replied as she gathered her things and put her coat on. This was going to be quite an eventful night to the say the least. It had been a long time since she had enjoyed company or even hung out with a dashingly handsome man. A man she liked spending time with.

She buttoned her coat up as she looked at Liam. “If you can cook most you can surprise me. Everyone who cooks or bakes has their own specialties so whatever your specialty is I’m game for” Madison said with a smile. She wasn’t a picky eater at all and mostly ate anything, and kept an open mind to trying new things. After all she was a chef, a baker.

madisonwhelan​:

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“If you get to know me,” Liam began, “you’ll realize that I’m almost always right.” A smile teased over his lips as he looked at her. He shook his head, “yeah,” he began, rubbing the back of his head, “or maybe I’ll seen a couple of others too.” He hadn’t really thought about what movies he had seen or not.

There was something about seeing the smile on her lips, maybe it was the right thing that he said, offered her to join him. And maybe it was also that he didn’t want to stop spending time with her. “I guess I’ll have to trust you,” he said. He leaned back a bit, and watched her close up. “I don’t really know exactly, I thought that we could figure that out together.” He let out a small breath, “maybe my placed and I’ll cooking you something.”

Madison was all for figuring it out together. There was something about the single father. She felt this pull, this connection towards him. She felt it even more after spending time with him tonight. Madison didn’t want that to end at all. She didn’t want stop spending time with him.

She arched her brow. “Liam Collins can cook” she teased, a grin spreading on her lips. “I can’t say no to that now. Your place is it” Madison agreed with a smile. “I’ll just follow in my car and we can let the festivities begin” she added as she gathered her coat and her purse. This was going to be a very interesting night to say the least. It was way better then going home to an empty apartment, that was just draining and lonely. She enjoyed Liam’ company.

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Liam knew that time to himself was something he needed, but it wasn’t something he took for himself, he didn’t want Riley to believe that he didn’t want her around. But knowing that there was more than just his family and best friend that told him that he needed it, well maybe they all had a point. 

“Well, maybe you just didn’t find the right guys,” he replied, but he heard the same stories from his sister, and some of his close friends too. And maybe he should listen to them. Liam smiled at her, and nodded his head, “sounds like I got a list of movies that I can watch,” he replied, he ran a hand over his head. “The only one I’ve really watched is The Grinch,” he couldn’t help the small laugh that left his lips. “But I do think that I’d need some help so you are more than welcome to help me. As long as it won’t get in the way of something else.”

“Maybe you’re right” Madison replied with a small smile on her lips. That’s what everyone told her even when she had just about giving up but hearing it come from Liam’ lips felt different. She arched her brow in response. He had a lot to catch up on. A lot. “Just The Grinch!? Oh we really need to catch you up on the classic movies of Christmas” Madison exclaimed.

A small smile grew on her lips. Helping him was definitely better then going home and watching movies by herself. She could use the company as he could obviously. “I would be happy to help you and trust me it won’t. I open this shop then go home at the end of the day. Like you in a way my work is basically life, so I’d be honored to help you. Just let me close up and empty the register for the night and we’ll head out” Madison gave him a smile before she walked behind the register and began emptying it out for the night and locking it away in the safe. “So how does this “helping” work” Madison questioned as she turned her attention back to the handsome single father, approaching him. “Your place? My place? I’m cool with whatever you’re cool with”.

madisonwhelan·:

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Liam shook his head, the smile still present on his face as he looked at Maddie. “Yeah, maybe,” he replied. He knew that it wouldn’t be a problem, if anything both Riley, and his parents would be happy about her staying. And maybe Madison did have a point, he could take a night for himself, it had been a long time since he had just relaxed, alone, most of the time when he took it easy, his daughter was there with him.

“Maybe, a movie and a beer or two does sound kind of nice,” he said. He wasn’t really a big drinker but he did enjoy a drink every now and then. “I think I’ll skip out on the Tinder thing,” he laughed and shook his head, that wasn’t his life, not anymore at least, he had enjoyed something like that when he was younger. “I’m not much of a pajamas kinda guy,” he replied, “but a t-shirt and a pair of sweats and a good move, yes.” He let out a soft sigh, “any suggestions when it comes to movies, most movies I’ve watched the last few years have been kid friendly.” He shook his head, maybe for a second, he had thought about, how it would be to have her join him, but that wasn’t what he should be thinking about, because if he did his mind would wonder, and it wouldn’t be watching Netflix, it would be more of a Netflix and Chill and that wasn’t a thought he should have about her. “I’m not sure about that, but like I said maybe I should give it a try, if it doesn’t work maybe you can teach me.” 

Madison let a smile grow on her lips as she heard his response. Finally! She had him convinced to take some time for himself. Everyone needed a little time to themselves, to let loose and have a little fun, even she did. Running a successful bakery was not easy work at all, even though she had a little time it was still exhausting, starting work at 4am to going until 6pm at night when she closed. She could only imagine how hectic Liam’ life was while also being a single dad and all.

“I don’t blame you there. I tried tinder and all the guys wanted a picture of the breasts. I’m like for real....fuck that I ain’t got time for all those horny college boys or the boys sitting in their mama and daddies basement” Madison said with a role of her eyes. “You just confirmed my suspicions. Never thought of you as a pajama type guy, more of a boxer kind of guy. I’m sure you’d look cute in a pair of Christmas pajamas though” she added with a smile before it faded as she realized what she had said, her cheeks heating up with a shade of red. “Well I imagine.....I’m just....There’s so many good Christmas movies. You have classics like It’s A Wonderful Life, White Christmas, National Lampoon Christmas Vacation and let’s not forget A Christmas Story you know the one with Ralphie wanting a BB gun and the leg lamp. I go on and on about Christmas movies” she chuckled. She simply loved the holiday. Her eyes gazed on Liam’. “I could definitely teach you if you need help”.

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A smile teased over Liam’s lips as he looked at Madison. He shook his head, he wasn’t sure if he actually believed her but he was going to do his best, both in believing in her, and her abilities, and himself. He nodded his head, “okay, so we have a plan for next time.” He wasn’t sure on what it was, but there was something about Madison that pulled him in, and a part of him wanted to get to know her more, and spend more time with her, and it had been a long time since he had felt something like that. “Thanks, and you are right, it was fun,” he said, rubbing his hands together, he knew that his muscles moved, and apart of him might had done it since her hand had been on his arm. “And I’m sure it will be even more fun next time.”

He let out a small breath, “but I probably should leave, since I need to pick up Riley, even if I’m sure she would love to stay the night with my parents,” he shook his head, “they love to spoil her.”

Madison swallowed as she felt his biceps move just briefly underneath her touch as her hand laid there on his arm. She was loving getting to know him and wanted to continuing getting to know him but just briefly her mind wandered onto racier, dirtier thoughts. Thoughts in general she hadn’t had in so long. She was so bad! The single baker quickly pushed such thoughts away and gazed at the lawyer.

“Let her stay” Madison said with a shrug of his shoulders. “If she loves staying there and grandma and grandpa love spoiling her why not!? Take a night for yourself. Would that be so bad? Unwind. Lose the suit, put some sweats and t-shirt on or Christmas pajamas, grab a few beers. Kick your feet up and watch a corny romance Christmas movie or read a book by the fireplace” Madison grinned, describing her perfect night in after a long day of work. Although a night like that is better when you’re with someone. “Or if that’s not your thing to do then go find a date on Tinder. Whatever makes you happy do it. You deserve it, Liam. I’ve known you for a few weeks and I can tell from afar you’re too hard on yourself sometimes. You worry too much. Let loose and relax. I can promise you once you do you will appreciate the season more”.

madisonwhelan​:

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It was nice to see a smile on Madison’s lips, and hearing her laugh, and Liam knew that he was the one that was responsible for that. It was always a good feeling to him when he managed to get someone laugh. He smiled at her, “okay, and I like that,” he said, he was glad that they were at least trying to set up a plan. “Maybe you can tell me more about your dad, you know the next time we spend time together.” Liam nodded his head, of course Riley was a great kid, but he might be a bit bias about that but that didn’t matter to him, as long as other people saw it he was happy about it. “Well I can’t wait for it,” he replied, “because that would mean that I’d be close to the whole package,” a grin played over his lips as he looked at her, “and who knows maybe I can make you a somewhat better chef.”

“There’s no maybe, Liam” Madison assured him, a grin on her lips. “After I’m done with you, I promise you WILL be the whole.....entire package. I promise you that” she smiled, biting down on her lower lip right after. Liam Collins was way too good to be true. “And I’d like that next time” Madison said with a small smile on her lips. It was honestly the first time any man was ever interested in hearing stories about her and her father. It was honestly a first and made her heart swell. Her gaze held his, a smile on her lips. “Tonight was fun, Liam. You didn’t do too bad for a first time” she teased before letting out a laugh as she caressed his bicep. Madison’ eyes gazed on his dreamy blue eyes.

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It had been easy to connect with Madison, and Liam wasn’t sure on what it was about her that made him drawn to her, besides the fact that she was nice, and pretty, and Riley seemed to love her. He knew that if he ever dated someone, it would be someone that his daughter liked, and that got along with her, and so far Madison was checking all of those boxes. “I’m holding you to that,” he replied, a smile played over his lips, “I still don’t get why I can’t bake when I can cook.” He shook his head, “maybe I should cook you something for dinner sometime, and you can make a dessert.” He wasn’t sure on where that came from, but he wouldn’t mind have a dinner with Madison. “He sounds like a smart man,” Liam replied, “and it’s true, I’m trying to tell Riley the same thing.” He nodded his head, “I am, well I’m spending my weekends with Riley but I’m sure she wouldn’t mind tagging along if that’s okay with you.”

Madison couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh at Liam’ words. She could handle him holding her to her own words she was confident by the time she was done with him that she would make a decent baker out of him. She arched her brow, a small grin on her lips as she heard his sudden invitation. Madison was actually flattered to be honest. “Sounds like a plan. I can do that” she replied, a small smile tugging her lips, her cheeks a slight shade of red from blushing. “He was” Maddie murmured with a nod, feeling a bit nostalgic as she thought about her father. “That’s completely cool. She’s a great kid” Madison added with a smile. She didn’t know what it was but it was so easy to communicate with Liam and she couldn’t help but feel very drawn to the single father. She reached her hand resting on his upper arm in a comforting way, giving it a gentle squeeze. “It’s just the same way some people are, some can bake but can’t cook but I promise you when I’m done with you, Liam” she playfully pressed a finger to his chest. “You’re gonna be a great baker” she smirked.