The Baker

Chapter 2

        “Sorry I’m late,” Cassie announced to her best friend, Jess as she walked in to their office in the back of their owned bakery. Jess shrugged from behind her desk and said, “Whatever. You’re never late, so it’s not like it’s a big deal. Plus, we do own the place, so technically, we don’t have to show on time.” Cassie rolled her eyes and set down her coffee. “We have to set a good example,” Cassie explained. Jess scoffed, “Why? They just think we’re stupid Americans.” “Well, technically, we are stupid Americans,” she laughed lightly. Jess started to laugh with her, then asked, “So why are you late anyways?” As Cassie sat, she said, “Some asshole was holding up the line in the coffee shop. Made everyone pissed, especially this one guy behind me. Then, we started to talk and we’re having coffee tomorrow morning.” She rushed the last sentence, hoping Jess wouldn’t catch it, but it’s Jess, so…she caught it. “Woah, woah, woah! Back up there missy,” Jess said. “What the fuck did you just say?” Cassie sighed, “I met a guy at the coffee shop and he invited me to coffee tomorrow morning, since I had to go to work as soon as he paid for my coffee.” “Woah! He paid for your coffee?” “Yeah, but he just did it on a whim! I didn’t see it coming!” “Okay, so let me get this straight,” Jess said, getting on the edge of her seat. “A guy was holding up the line at the shop and he bought you a coffee? To apologize?” “What? No. The pissed guy behind me.” “Okay, so he got you coffee, and then asked you out? Do you even know him?” “That’s the thing, he thinks he knows me, but couldn’t figure it out. Then, we got to talking and he bought me coffee, then next thing I know, we’re going on a date.” “It’s a date?” “Well, he said it was! He said, “It’s a date” in his very sexy, very deep british voice.” Jess took a moment to contemplate everything, then asked, “What’s his name?” “Ben.” “What, like Benjamin?” Cassie shook her head, “Benedict. He’s very…sexy. Very adorable in some ways.” Jess sighed, “And exactly how long did you talk to this guy for?” Cassie thought a minute, then said, “Five minutes? Ten?” “That’s it?! And you already have a date?!” Cassie sighed, “But is it really a date? I mean, it’s just coffee. Maybe date means something different here. You know like, bathroom means loo, or cup is cuppa.” Jess threw up her hands in mock surrender, but didn’t look very happy. “Whatever, kid,” she said. “I’m just glad you finally have a date…even if you only just met the guy.” Cassie was going to reply, but then the office phone rang. Jess answered it on the second ring, saying, “Cutie Cakes, how may I help you?”

Ben was walking down the street, just a few blocks from the coffee shop, to meet his good friend, Adam at some restaurant called, The Buzzy (like “busy”) Bee. What a cocked up name for a restaurant, he thought as he continued to walk. He tried to focus on what streets to cross and where, but his mind kept wandering to the girl in the coffee shop. Cassie, he thought. Where on earth have I heard that name before?! On the telly? No. Papers? Maybe. A friend? Fuck, who knows?! He kept thinking of ways he could have seen or heard that name before, but then he saw a big sign with a ginormous bee flying around a bee’s nest. This must be it. He walked inside the restaurant and started looking around for Adam. He finally saw him wave after a few minutes, then went over to the table. “Sorry I’m late,” Ben told him. Adam chuckled, “I’m actually surprised that you’re even this early! What happened to being perpetually late?” Ben lightly laughed, “Well, I have certain priorities now, Adam, in case you haven’t heard. The need to be on time is critical.” “Ah, yes,” Adam said, “I almost forgot your a big star now. Why is that again?” He asked sarcastically. Ben chuckled, “Piss off!” “No, but seriously,” Adam laughed. “Have you gotten laid yet?” Ben rolled his eyes and took a sip of his coffee. He smacked his lips and said, “Actually, I met a girl at the shop only about an hour ago.” “Is that right?” Ben nodded, “We’re having coffee tomorrow morning. She was running late for work, so we made a date for tomorrow.” “A date,” Adam stated with raised eyebrows. Ben shrugged, “A date…oh, fuck did I say date??” Adam nodded. Ben threw his hands in his face and said, “Oh, fuck. That’s what I told her at the shop. I told her it was a date.” Adam shrugged and asked, “Well, hang on now, no need panic yet. How long did you two talk? Have you met her before?” Ben shook his head and said, “Five minutes or so,” causing Adam to bust up laughing. “You bloody moron! You only met the girl and you invited her out on a date??” Ben threw his hands down and exclaimed, “Coffee date! That’s a real thing, right? Acceptable for someone you only met.” Adam’s laughing had died down by now and he said, “But you didn’t tell her that, did you?” Ben sighed, as Adam continued, “Look, what do you know about her?” Ben shrugged. “Nothing,” he told him. “Her name does ring a bell, though. I can’t place my finger on it.” “Maybe I’ll know. What is it?” “I don’t think you’ll know, but her name is Cassandra. She prefers to be called Cassie, though.” Adam nearly choked on his water. After a few pats on the back from Ben, he asked, “Cassie? Cassie Hansen?” Ben shrugged, saying, “She never told me her last name.” “Medium height? Sandy hair? Blue eyes? American?” “Yes! That’s her! How do you know her?” “She catered Kate and I’s wedding a few years ago. Those two have kept in touch ever since. Of course you wouldn’t remember because you were off your face! I’m surprised you even remember some of it!” Ben laughed heartily, then asked, “Really? She catered your wedding?” “Yeah,” Adam nodded. “Now she owns a bakery somewhere around here. Kate’s told me the name, but I forgot. It’s something similarly ridiculous to “The Buzzy Bee”.” “Oh, I doubt anything is more ridiculous,” Ben mumbled in his coffee. “Look, I know the name isn’t great,” Adam told him, “but the food is worth it.” Just then, the waiter came over and took their orders. When she left, Adam started up the conversation again. “So when are you meeting Cassie again?” “Tomorrow morning, around eight. God, I really hope she didn’t think I met a literal date. Maybe if tomorrow goes well, then I’ll ask her out for dinner.” “You should. She’s a really great girl. Great cook, too. I only spoke to her for a few minutes before the wedding and we clicked instantly.” “See! That’s exactly what happened to me! I was enchanted by her, though I’m not sure why.” “She just gives off that vibe,” Adam explained. “She really is great, though. You could use a girl like her in your life. I can actually picture the wedding already,” he joked. Now it was Ben’s turn to choke on his water. Adam laughed, “Easy there!” “Look,” Ben explained, “I know I want to settle down with a girl and have a few kids, but I think it’s just a bit too early to think that, don’t you?” “God no! Like I said, I could totally see you two hitting it off!” Ben thought for a moment. She is pretty…no, beautiful is the right word. Can I see us together? Oh come on, Benedict, you’ve only known the girl for a few minutes…I wonder if her blue eyes are genetic? No! Stop it! “Um, Ben? Earth to Cumberbatch!” Ben snapped out of his thoughts and looked at Adam. “What?” He asked. “I just texted Kate,” he said. “The shop is called Cutie Cakes.” Ben chuckled, “That’s quite a name…almost adorable, actually.” “Yeah…we should stop by for dessert!”