Sort-of Soulmates

Chapter Twelve: Alex

Who's ready for a MAKEOVER because I need to put EVERY TROPE into this book

Love, Cam

♡

Alex

I was mid-way through a Sara Bareilles playlist, shaking my hips as I dusted cinnamon sugar on top of my spiced chai mini-cakes, when Henrietta entered the kitchen.

"Hello - oh," she said, and looked mortified to have interrupted, like she was the one who had been caught doing something ridiculous.

"Hello!" I said, opting for shameless continuation of dancing. Henrietta seemed to just accept this as par for the course, which probably should have made me reconsider my management style, but she came into the kitchen properly when I waved her in. "What's up?"

"Your partner and his sister are here for coffee," she told me, eyeing the cakes. "Wow, Alex, those smell so good. Can I - can I put one aside for my daughter?"

I was so proud of her; I'd been encouraging her to speak up when she liked something so I could make sure there were some left for her at the end of the day. She hadn't been very good at that, so I'd started encouraging her to say when her daughter would like something instead - and that had worked very well.

"Of course!" I said, sliding two of the mini-cakes onto the cutting board I had deemed as her takeout spot. Harold had one as well, but he had no issue with just taking what he wanted and popping it aside. They deserved it; they were very hard workers and the students in particular adored them. I was pretty sure Harold had gone viral on social media for his unusual manner of speaking to people.

"Thank you," she smiled shyly. "Is there anything you would like me to do so you can join them?"

"No need, I've timed it to perfection," I beamed. "Just pop six of these into the counter fridge, and I'll put the rest in the big fridge. Don't forget to top them up when you can."

"Got it," she said, and took a tray of six with her to put out in the sight of customers. I had no doubt they'd sell well; everyone loved spiced chai in things. It was the perfect autumnal flavour, along with our 'Autumn Spice' lattes, because again, nothing tasted better than not getting sued by Starbucks.

I put the rest of the cakes in the fridge, except for one that I would give to Minty, and grabbed one of my homemade granola bars for Dylan. Henrietta had already made me a coffee to go with theirs, because she was fantastic, and I beamed at her as I bounded over with the drinks and food to Dylan and Minty's table.

"Hello, cupcake," I greeted my fake-boyfriend, kissing him on the lips quickly.

"Hello, love," he said, and eyed the granola. "Is that for me? You're so thoughtful."

"Yep," I said, handing it over. "Minty, this is my spiced chai cake. Thought you'd like it."

Minty took it with enthusiasm. "God, I love this place. I can't believe your barista remembered my coffee order. I've only been here twice."

"Henrietta is a delight," I nodded solemnly. "As is Harold. I'm very lucky, and I didn't actually realise how much I needed them until they were here. It turns out, when your helper isn't your brother who swears at machinery and can't foam milk to save his life, work gets way easier."

"See," Minty eyed her brother. "Delegation."

"Probably a bit harder when you own an internationally popular company," I chuckled. "But since you started delegating more, I have seen you, Toast and Pancake more often, so I vote for delegation."