Brave Face

Chapter Five

Loretta POV

"Every super woman needs a super man" ~Avery Storm (Here I Am)

"Welcome to Angel's. How may I be of service," I greet, when I hear the bell above the front door ring.

I continue to place the red velvet cupcakes into the display, only glancing at the person in the walkway.

"Well I would like three of those, twelve of those and a thousand kisses," I hear Earl's voice demand. My head snaps up and a stupid grin spreads across my face.

"What are you doing here," I say, all but ripping my apron off. I come from behind the counter and properly greet him with a kiss.

"Came to see you in action and to bring you these," he says, popping a huge bouquet of roses from behind his back. My eyes light up and I give him a hug, taking the flowers from his grasp.

The intoxicating smell of the flowers fill my nose and I am thrusts into happiness. "Thank you. How long are you staying?"

"Welp I took off work so I'm yours all day," he says, smiling.

"Great," I go behind the counter and pick up an apron. "Put this on so I can put you to work."

"You're gonna put me to work on my off day?"

"Well of course, I wouldn't be the boss lady if I didn't," I retort. "Now put the apron on and chop chop, we have lots of work to do."

"Yes ma'am," he says, tying the apron and shaking his head.

I walk behind the counter with him hot in pursuit and burst through the door to the kitchen. "This is my humble work space," I say motioning to the industrial kitchen.

"Wow. This is nice," he says, sarcastically.

"Alright step one, wash our hands," I say, motioning to the sink in the far left corner, ignoring his disposition.

We wash our hands good and take a trip to the storage room to get all the ingredients to make a pineapple upside down cake. There we found Nicole stocking flour.

"Hey Loretta," she says, struggling to put a bag of flour on a shelf.

"Hey Nicole. We have a willing slave for the next few hours," I say. She drops the flour and whips around to look at me. "Nikki this is my husband Earl, Earl this is my best work buddy Nicole or Nikki."

"Nice to meet you," he says, holding his hand out for her to shake.

"Same," she says shaking his hand. "Good choice," she whispers to me. I burst out laughing at her.

"I know right. Babe since it looks like Nikki is struggling you stock the flour, while I get the ingredients for the cake and when you are done meet me at the island," I direct.

"Yes ma'am master chief," he says, doing a mock salute. I slap his hand down from his forehead and point for him to get to work.

"Nikki I need a big big favor," I say pulling her to the side.

"Sure why not. I no longer have anything to do."

"Good. I have to make a butterscotch cake big enough for about fifty, and your famous monster chocolates, so can you make a pineapple upside down cake with pineapple filling, " I ask. Tomorrow is her birthday and I want to surprise her with a surprise party this afternoon at 2:00. It was already 11 so I had to get a move on it.

"Sure. I got you," she says, taking the ingredients from me.

"Thank you so much, I appreciate this."