Cold Hearted

Chapter Three

So apparently avoiding Everett for the entirety of Winter Break, other than with Gabby, was going to be difficult.

Sunday morning, I had work at Pat's Pastries. I opened my front door and padded through the snow to the news paper laying at the end of my driveway. The bag was covered in a bit of ice and so I began to brush it off with a gloved hand.

Pleased with my work, I turned around and promptly slipped on the small ice patch in front of me, smacking into the frozen cement.

I heard a stifled laugh.

My head turned so quickly that I probably could've broken my neck. And there he stood, dressed in black pants, a black wind breaker, and a black beanie. Everett grinned slightly at seeing me sprawled out across my driveway, newspaper clutched in my hand.

"You're incredibly rude," I grumbled, getting to my feet. He said nothing as I stomped back inside and set the soaked newspaper on the tile.

Lily daintily walked over and began to lick the bag, mewing softly.

"Emma, get that filthy bag off the floor," my mother scolded, peering at me from the top of the stairs. I said nothing as I picked up the bag and moved it to the garbage can in the kitchen. I set the dry newspaper on the counter. Lily seemed disappointed, but she soon got distracted with her toy mouse.

"Do you have work today?" my mother asked.

"Yeah, and I'm working two shifts," I said, grabbing a muffin off the counter. "Love you."

I waited for my mother's reply before heading out to my car.

--

After an hour of working alone, with no customers, I became bored. I stared at the retro-diner design of the little bakery. I enjoyed looking at the blue and pink pastel colors lining the booths and tables. 50's music played softly throughout the small little space.

I could see out the large front window that allowed the sun to shine in. Snow was lightly falling, but nothing too strong.

Then, I became bored again. So I decided to count the pastries. It was a game I had invented with my co-worker James. However James' shift didn't start for another forty minutes or so.

So I began my counting.

I got to about 45 when the small bell above the door rang to signal a customer.

I instantly perked up, offering a smile to the person, when I realized who it was.

"Oh, Mrs. Sanders," my smile faltered a bit in my confusion, but I quickly regained my customer service persona, "how nice to see you! Can I get you anything?"

"Hello Emma! The rumors are true! Your mother said I could find you here, "she grinned. "Yes, I was wondering if I could have some more of those cookies you brought over. Everett just loved those!"

Oh did he now? I thought mischievously to myself. So the Grim Reaper's got a sweet tooth. I thought for a moment that Everett may have changed his mind about me, but I shook it away.

"Of course Mrs. Sanders! But, in advance, I'd like to let you know those cookies were homemade, so I'm going to have to whip up another batch here in the store," I said.

"That's fine, I'll have Everett come pick them up in about an hour. Can they be frosted with some sort of Christmas pattern?" she asked.

I nodded.

"Well! I'll see you again sometime! Have a nice afternoon, Emma," Mrs. Sanders smiled. The little bell rang to signal she had left. I began to get started on the cookies.