Sugar Rush || Completed

{ 18 } strawberry shortcake

{ 18 } strawberry shortcake

"This is all so cute I can't take it!" Jasmin steps down from the ladder she was on and admired her handiwork. She was able to string banners and streamers across the whole ceiling of the bakery. Many heart pendants dangled above in an intricate manner. I was on floor duty by spreading rose petals on the table tops and decorating the walls with lace. Admittedly, it was tacky, but it was endearing for a Valentine's party. On the counter is a basket full of self made fortune cookies except the fortunes were little valentine's messages. I also had baskets set up for the raffle for baked goods gift baskets.

"Yeah, I hope everyone enjoys it."

"They better," Jasmin replies, folding up the ladder to put away, "especially since we had to reschedule having an event here so many times!"

Remembering the failed Christmas party, I get a little uneasy. This Valentine's day party was basically Jasmin's brain baby. She adores planning events like this. And yet, she's a college senior still trying to figure out what she wants to study. I don't ever let her know that I'm worried about her not graduating with the rest of her class. Right now she's studying communications and I think it's the best for her. For Jasmin's sake, I really hope this event is a success. "Let's not jinx it!" I knock on wood to emphasize it.

Jasmin giggles. "I didn't think you believed in all that."

Shrugging, I head into the kitchen to grab the platters that were to go on each table. "I'm just not going to take any chances is all. I'm just as excited as you are."

I make a few more trips to put all the dishes on the tables. Lots of chocolate, strawberry, and red velvet. Jasmin comes behind me to tidy up anything she deems as looking haphazard. There's not much left to finish cleaning and prepping but we're still flurrying around the bakery in a last minute rush. Either way, we finish decorating thirty minutes before opening.

After a long pause admiring our handiwork, we're standing at the counter. We're facing each other, the counter between us, trying to remember if we've finished everything.

I start the checklist, something I do every time to soothe Jasmin's nerves. Or my nerves. Or even both, depending on the event.

"Food?"

"Check!"

"Decorations? Promotional papers?"

"Check! Check!"

"Music?"

"Radio's set on Love Tunes 24/7." I raise an eyebrow.

"I mean, check. Jasper should be coming with his band at about 1:00pm. I told them they can set up over there." Jamin points to an empty space she arranged to the left of the counter. There are speakers and microphones set up, looking well put together.

"Awesome!" I exclaim, super pumped.

Jasmin laughs and continues the checklist for me. "Attitude?"

"Check! This party is gonna rock!" I scream, suddenly energized, while Jasmin doubles over in laughter.

"Calm down party animal!"

We stare at each other, beaming and in disbelief that this is actually happening. This bakery is just as much Jasmin's as it is mine due to how much she does for it. I can't thank her enough.

"This would be the part where you remind me of all the things I can and cannot do at this event," Jasmin mentions in a joking manner.

"Right! No taking the food that's meant for the customers," I start lightheartedly and the smile on Jasmin's face grows wider despite me telling her to not do her favorite pastime at the bakery. "No talking at a volume louder than the rest of the room. No inappropriate dancing, conversation, drinking, or dress," I pause, looking at her low cut shirt. Her hand flies up to cover her cleavage and immediately goes back down with a shrug and a look that says "What can you do about it?" I shake my head a little and she motions for me to continue. Continuing I say, "And please, for the love of all that is sugary, please no flirting with anyone that walks through the door."

Jasmin gives me a familiar grin. "So same as usual?"
Returning the grin, I reply, "Same as usual."

We hug each other over the counter and Jasmin runs up to grab a sweater as I head to the front door to let in the customers.

Let the merriment begin.

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