Cupcakes and Tattoos

Chapter 4

"Lexie, come here please!" Arizona turned to find Lexie already standing behind her.

"Oh, hey, can you finish off these cupcakes, package them up, and send them next door with invites to our grand opening? I'm going to head home to try and get some sleep. Callie invited us all out to Joe's tonight, so can you also call Alex and April to let them know?"

"Sure, no problem." Lexie looked around anxiously.

"What's wrong, Lex?"

"Is Meredith going tonight?"

"I guess so. Callie said they usually all go out." Arizona eyed Lexie suspiciously.

"Oh...okay."

"What do you have a crush on her or something? I mean she's cute, if you like that sort of thing." Arizona knew Lexie wasn't gay, but she also knew she had to find a way to get her to spill the truth. Lexie was a smart girl, but very easily flustered.

"What? No, no that's not it! I'm straight, like super straight. Love me some penis. I actually think I might like that Mark guy. He's a man, so I'm straight." She looked at Arizona.

"Omg, I mean there's nothing wrong with being gay. Obviously. Maybe I'd like to touch breasts, I mean women are beautiful too, I-"

"Relax, Lexie!" Arizona decided to cut off Lexie's ramble before she dug herself in too deep. "I was messing with you. I know something is going on with you. I just want you to know that you can trust me if you need to talk about it. Okay?"

"Okay," Lexie smiled. She did want to talk about it, but really needed to talk to Meredith first. "Maybe tomorrow over coffee?"

"Sure. So, tell the crew to meet here at ten tonight and we'll walk over together."

"Great. I'll text them and finish these. See you tonight!" Lexie was both excited and nervous. She was nervous about spending time with Meredith and excited to go out for the first time since giving up her life in New York and moving here.

Arizona hopped on her vintage sea green Vespa and headed home. She looked around the tree lined streets and smiled. She will never get over how beautiful and quiet it is here. People strolled down the street and greeted everyone they met like old friends. No one ever seemed to be in a hurry. It was all smiles and warmth. A far cry from New York City. She thought about what brought her and her friends here. Arizona was glad she had Lexie. She was a talented cake sculptor, organized, reliable, loyal, and got along great with all the customers. Exactly what someone would want in an employee and friend. Give that girl a hunk of cake and she could carve it into anything you asked for. Alex was also loyal, reliable, and hard working. He was not the best with the customers, but that boy could pump out hundreds of cookies and cupcakes like nothing. Arizona had somehow convinced both Lexie and Alex to make the move out here from New York. Alex needed a change of scenery and Lexie jumped at the chance once she found out the location. She found April once she moved out here. She might have stolen her from the bakery in the next town over. April was good with the frontline tasks. Taking orders, manning the register, tracking supplies. That kind of stuff. She was also a great back up decorator and general baker.

Her parents were not too happy that she moved across the country and stole two of their best employees. Three, including Arizona. They knew why she did it though and they understood. The time was always coming. Arizona needed to get away from the memories and pace of the big city. Between her brother and her messy break up almost a year ago, she felt like she was drowning. She was getting too good to be cooped up in her parent's bakery, so the family decided it was finally time to open this second location in her mother's home town. Arizona saved up her whole life for this. She never went to college, so her parents gave her the money they saved up. She was also given her brother's college money and his savings. At first she didn't want her brother's money. It was too depressing. She almost took out loans to cover the rest, but also knew her brother would never allow that. he believed in her and always talked about investing his money in her when he was alive, so she finally caved. Between their savings and college money, she was able to do this all by herself. No loans. It was both bittersweet and freeing. She would never admit to anyone how scared she was about all of it. Arizona was worried about failing herself and her family. She also believed she was 100% ready for this. She trained her whole life for it. She would fight tooth and nail to succeed. She would not lose focus. She thought about Callie. I'm in trouble.