The Baker's Baby

6 - Chocolate

Addison is now 7 months pregnant or about 28 weeks, mid-September at the beginning of the chapter, closer to 34 weeks at the end of the chapter due to another time skip

 I was icing the Fall-themed sugar cookies when I heard my name being called from the door leading to the front. I look up from the leaf-shaped cookies to see Nat, or Natalie, waving me over. 

She was one of the three employees working here, not including Tammy that is, she and one of the bakers, Dan, are both university students. They've been working for me for about 3 years though I've had the bakery for around 5 years now, it was handed down to me after the original owner Nora decided to retire and neither of her kids wanted to take over. 

I had been working here since I was in high school and took a few business management courses before fully taking over. 

"Hey, what's up." I pass the piping bag full of orange royal icing to one of the older bakers Miles, before waddling over to her. 

"Someone at the front is asking for the owner." She holds the door open for me to walk through and talk to the customer.

I make it to the counter to see a tall man standing there wearing an EMT uniform and hat on shielding his face from me, he looks to be a couple of years older than me as well, maybe 2 or 3.

"Hi, I'm the owner of Nora's Bakery, what can I help you with today?" I asked putting on my best customer service smile, hoping this isn't a complaint or I just might cry. I've been like a ticking time bomb recently, it has everyone walking on eggshells around me. 

"Hi, you must be Nora then, my name's Asher, I was wondering if you guys do parties?" He gives me a boyish as he takes his hat off and reaches over the counter to shake my hand.

His face strikes me as familiar but I can't seem to put my finger on it. 

"I'm Addison actually, Nora was the previous owner, but we cater parties. Was there anything specific you had in mind?"

I grab the binder full of suggestions and examples we keep behind the counter and walk around to meet him. I notice his eyes widen slightly as he takes in my stomach, he tries to hide his reaction from me but isn't very successful.

I lead him to a table near the back of the room so we can talk without being interrupted.

"I hate to be unprofessional but do I know you? I'm sorry I just feel like I've seen you before." I had to ask or it would bother me for the rest of the day. 

He has to think for a moment before responding, I really hope I have seen him before or I might've just made things very awkward. 

"You know what yeah I think so, I helped you and your friend grab a box of cereal or something."

Ah yes, the extremely hot guy who left Tammy speechless, who was now in my bakery. What're the odds? 

"Oh, well it's nice to finally meet the man who gave me my precious Honey Nut Cheerios."

"Always happy to help beautiful ladies in need."

I ignore the blush creeping up my neck and get back to the reason he's actually here. 

"So what desserts are you thinking for the party?"

I find out the party is for his niece and we talk for a bit longer, planning some ideas for his niece's party, while also planning for his sister to come by and finalize some things.

"While you're here did you want anything to eat or drink?" I push my chair away from the table, struggling to get up from the chair until Asher offers me his arm.