Piece of Cake | Ashton Irwin [au]

Three

Ashton’s POV

Ruth; she’s an enigma, that’s for sure. One minute she’s insensitive and calls me an asshole, and the next she is laughing and smiling at me. The moment she turned around when I came up from behind her, I could not take my eyes off of her. Out of all the girls that I have seen walk in and out of these doors, not one has captured my attention like she has.

Her naturally wavy, reddish-brown hair compliments her ivory skin to perfection. Her emerald eyes shined just as bright as the priceless gem they resemble. But those lips, God, those lips would make any man go crazy. The natural pink shade of those alluring lips distracted me as I focused on them while she was speaking; moving beautifully and with precision as she formed words.

At first, I was disappointed when she said that they were looking for a wedding cake because I thought that she was the bride-to-be which would ruin any chance for me to get to know her, but when she corrected me, I am given hope. Thinking about it now, I feel bad that I assumed she was the bride. I probably should have asked who it was before I pointed fingers and basically said, “You’re it” with my accusation.

When I left to go grab my sketchbook and colored pencils from the employee office, I could hear Ruth and her friend whispering to one another even though they thought I couldn’t hear. Finding the supplies that I needed didn’t take long, so I decided to eavesdrop on their conversation that wasn’t as hushed as it should have been.

Silly girls and their incapability to lower the volume of their voices.

The first thing that I heard from Ruth was that she thinks I’m an asshole. Yeah, I may have been a little flirty and winked at her, but I don’t think that would classify me as an asshole. I’m glad she noticed that I was looking at her though. I want her to know that she’s interesting to me. Although, I think anyone who has the guts to call me an asshole upon our first meeting would be interesting to me.

When Serena told her that there is room for one non-asshole and Ruth basically rejected me from being that, at that moment, I made it my goal to change her mind and show her that I can be that one.

I decided to ignore her for a bit while I chatted with Serena about her ‘cake vision’ just to see how she would react, and I know for sure that she became very wary. And even as an act of kindness (which was my way of trying to impress Ruth), I gave Serena an offer for her cake that will probably get me in trouble with my parents later, but I don’t think Ruth appreciated it. The reason for that is beyond me.

Talking with Ruth in the kitchen was actually really fun. Normally, I would never bring a customer back into the kitchen because there really isn’t a reason for them to be there, but it gave me a chance to confront her and call her out on talking behind my back. I liked hearing her talk to me; that sweet, yet assertive tone of hers was so rewarding, although, her laugh and smile take the gold medal.

I’m excited to see her again on Thursday. I barely know her but I need for that to change. She has that easily irritated persona that makes it so entertaining to tease; she’s different and quick to judge a book by its cover, but I want to see what she’s like behind all of that; her true colors.   

When they leave through the threshold, the annoying jingling bell lets out a loud ring as the door slams shut. I am quick to look at the contact information form that I made Serena fill out and look at her emergency contacts. Under what I assume to be her fiancé’s info is the one person who I am ready to praise God for on the form. Ruth Powell. I swiftly pull out my phone and save her number before sending her a message.   

I wish I can see the look on her face when she receives the text. It may be creepy and borderline stalker-ish to send a message without saying who it’s from, but I make sure to say something that will give her clarification that it is no doubt from me. I may be getting a little over my head thinking that she’ll actually respond to me seeing that my actions are a bit forward, but it doesn’t hurt to try, right?