"Its go time"

I'm running around when I hear a knock on the front door. Jogging over I see that it's Axel. He's got a wide grin on his face and he's waving his hands excitedly.

"Nova, good morning. I can't wait to see what you made for tonight. Will I be able to taste any of it?" I giggle and slap Axel on the back of the head.

"Is that all you want me around for is my baking. My feelings are so hurt." I place my hand over my heart and give him a puppy dog face. I love messing around with him. He's like a little puppy.

"Girl, you know you are more than baking. I see it. Even though whatever you make I'll eat." At that I shake my head and head into the kitchen. It's almost time for the fair.

I need to put my cake into a box and get it ready to go. It's cool enough where the cake won't melt in Madz truck. I'll have to make sure the AC is on just in case.

Axel comes walking behind me and grabs the loaf of bread I made yesterday. "Mind If I make some toast? I didn't get to eat this morning." I nod and with that he heads for the kitchen.

I'm glad he's so comfortable around me. I walk into the pantry and look for a cake carrier. I know I have a few around here. Madz unpacked them. I see them on the top shelf and grab the ladder.

Looking at all my options. I grab the coral colored one and step down. Walking back into the kitchen I see that Axel is just munching away on his toast and he must have gotten into the cookies as well. I see the container is open.

I place down the carrier and carefully I pick up my chocolate cake and put it inside. What I don't need is for me to drop it and just ruin the whole day. I'm already feeling so much better than I was last night.

I hear a ding and I pull out my phone and a message from Madz appears. "Hey sweetheart. I'll be heading over soon. I just need to shower. I'll see you soon." He inserted a kissing emoji at the end.

"Axel, Madz will be here soon. What are your plans for the day? Will you be at the fair?" Axel finishes the food he has in his mouth and wipes away the crumbs.

"Yup. I'll have Eleanor with me. She knows I'm a pro at the games and she wants me to win all the prizes for her. I'll be there a little after you. I know you need to set up and meet the other contestants." He is right. I do need to set up.

Should I grab a tablecloth as well or is that too extra? I think I'll just stick with what I have already. Time passes by as I clean up Axel's mess even though he told me he would do it.

I need to keep my hands busy. I'm a little nervous. I don't care if i win or not really. I just want it to be good enough for the judges to enjoy it. I wonder who they are anyways.

I haven't met many people in town yet. I haven't even met everyone in the club. This will be a good time to meet the community. After the contest I can walk around and introduce myself.

Another knock alerts me that Madz is here and I can feel the butterflies in my stomach start up again. I get that feeling every time he is around.

I unlock and open the door and Madz instantly takes me into his arms. "I'm so so sorry Nova. I'm so sorry I yelled at you. It will never happen again." I can feel his body shaking.

"Last night was awful and I never want to be away from you again. I won't be able to handle it." He's still holding me tight and starts combing through my hair.

"It's okay. We both were overwhelmed. Now we know we just need to work through our feelings." Madz gives me one more squeeze and lets go. He kisses the tip of my nose.

"Do you have everything ready to go? Do you need any help with anything? How did the cake turn out?" So many questions come rushing out of his mouth.

"Actually, your accident made everything so much better." He glanced over at me and his eyes furrowed. "When your coke spilled into the batter I thought that it was ruined."

"But the batter was fine. In fact it was more than fine. I tasted it and it was perfect. How odd, right?" I pull out the carrier and show him what we've made.

"So you didn't have to start all over?" I shake my head no. "That's good I was worried you'd have to be up all night and start over. So now you have? What? A chocolate coke cake?"

"That's exactly what we have. I couldn't have done it without you. So thank you." He smiles and grabs the carrier from me. Waving to Axel. "Would you mind locking up for me Axe?"

He smiles at the nickname and I see his eyes sparkle. "That's what my grandmother called me." At first I think I made a mistake and I go to apologize when he walks over and pulls me into a hug.

"Okay hands off my ol' lady. We get it." Madz glares over at us and I give him a shrug. "We gotta get going so you can meet the judges and set up."

I wave to Axel and he's still standing there with a goofy smile on his face. "I really like Axel. I can't wait for him to be a member. What will his nickname be?"

Madz laughs at me and I scrunch my nose. "They are called road names darlin'. He has to earn one. I think I've already got one in mind. We all vote on it when we take him in."

"Oh, okay 'road names'." I use my fingers to add quotations to the word. "My bad mister big bad biker man. This world is new to me." Madz unlocks his truck and he sets the cake down on the floor in the passenger seat.

"Is this place okay? Then the air will be hitting it and you can watch it to make sure it's okay." He thought the same thing I was thinking that the air will keep the cake cool enough so it doesn't melt on the way over.

"This will be perfect. Thank you." Madz grabs my hand and helps me inside the truck. I do need the help so I don't fall trying not to smash the cake.

He shuts my door and I watch him walk over to his side from the window. He's so dreamy and handsome. He looks so good in his vest and black jeans. I shake my head and try to focus.

Madz opens his door and hops in. Starting the truck he puts the care in reverse from the parking spot. Moving it into drive we start heading over to where the fair is supposed to be.

I've yet to venture off on my own since I really can't. I've just been staying in my little bubble. I hope they can deal with the other club so I know I'm safe. I can't stay inside my bakery forever.

After a ten minute drive we pull off onto a dirt road and pass some trees. Up ahead I can see the Ferris wheel and a place to park our truck. I sit up and take it all in.

I haven't been to a fair in so long. The last time I went was with my dad about five years ago. He took me on every ride they had and we ate turkey legs, corn dogs and funnel cakes.

He made sure we ate after the rides so I wouldn't get sick. That as a good idea. Thinking of that memory I smile and blink away my tears. Madz pulls into a spot and places the truck into park.

"Are you okay? You look sad sweetheart." He grabs my hand and pulls it closer to his mouth and kisses each finger.

"I'm okay I was just thinking about my dad. We would go to the fair together and it was loads of fun." He smiles and pulls away.

"Alright. Now that I know you're okay, how about we go set up and I'll leave you to meet the judges?" Wait, he isn't going to meet them with me?

"Aren't you going to stick around and meet them with me?" I question and wonder why he wouldn't stay.

"I need to finish our booth as well but I'll be back over once the judging starts. How does that sound?" I nod and wait for him to let me out. I found out the hard way he opens all doors for me.

We get out of the truck and he grabs the cake. With careful hands we walk over to a tent with some many cakes, pies and cookies set up. I'm sure in for a challenge.

"Okay darlin'. I gotta go but the judges will be over here soon. Give them about ten minutes and they will come meet everyone." He kisses the top of my head and I see an older lady next to me swoon.

Holding her hands to her chest and tilting her head. I know that feeling lady. He makes me melt into a puddle every time he touches me.

Cupping his face with my hands I take action and land a kiss to his lips. He groans at the touch and I smile. "I'll see you later Madz." With that he walks away.