The Baker

Chapter 3

Cassie sighed as she threw down her calculator and sat back in her chair. “There,” she said to Jess, who was engrossed in her phone, “all done…with your half!” Jess didn’t look at her, but said unenthusiastically, “You got this. You can do it. You go girl.” “I said I just finished!” This time, Jess didn’t answer. Cassie just continued, “Hopefully it’s right cause you know my math sucks complete ass.” Silence. “Right,” she sighed. “Alice is out with strep throat tonight, so I’ll work this shift, which is actually supposed to be yours this time, shall I?” Again, nothing. “Son-of-a-bitch,” she muttered, then left the office. She went into the staff room and got her apron out of her locker. Once she put that on, she washed her hands, and then walked through the door that led to behind the counter in the shop. It was quite busy today, which is good. Cassie always made the pastries fresh when they ran out and it looked like she was going to have to do that. She always makes them the night before since it would take too long in the morning. As she looked to see which pastries she needed to stock up on, she notched the chocolate croissants were running very low. “Wendy,” she called. Wendy was the one who was to keep track of what they were running low on. She just started a few weeks ago, but both Jess and Cassie agree that she’s a major slacker. “Yeah,” Wendy called back from the other side of the shop. Cassie mentally rolled her eyes. Probably trying to flirt with the customers again. “Could you come over here, please?” Cassie asked nicely. Wendy weaved her way through tables and people and behind the counter to Cassie. “What’s up?” She asked. Cassie sighed, “You’re supposed to keep track of what’s running low, and then report to me so I can start stocking up.” Wendy then pulled out her pocket sized notebook and held it out to her. Cassie read it out-loud, “Chocolate swirly things, strawberry shortcake looking things, and swirly vanilla doughnuts. Um…we don’t have “swirly vanilla  doughnuts”…” Wendy shrugged, “Well they look like them.” Cassie just shook her head and sighed, “Whatever.” As Cassie walked away, she thought, Jess and I really need to talk to her.

“Come on, Ben!” “No! She’s going to think I stalking her!” “Oh, stop being a baby! She knows me and she’ll know I dragged you to this place because I’ll tell her myself! Now get your arse inside!” Ben grunted and dragged his feet inside Cutie Cakes. Wow, he thought. This place is…nice. And it was nice. There were high-top tables, short tables, bean bags, couches, several T.Vs, music coming from a 50’s style Jukebox, and several rows of delicious looking pastries in the counter window. And, despite the name, the place was quite masculine. “Great, isn’t it?” Adam asked. “The things she makes is absolutely incredible,” he enthused, as they walked to the counter. “She made all these?” Ben asked in amazement. “Yep,” Adam said proudly. “Every single one. She makes them the night before, or else she’d be here at three in the morning baking! She only makes fresh ones then and if they run out. Which,” he said pointing to her walking quickly into the kitchen, “is what seems to be going on now.” Ben’s heart fluttered when he saw her, even if it was just for a few seconds this time. What the hell is going on with me? They walked up to the counter, where Adam was greeted by some red-head, “Hey, Adam! How are you? How’s the wife and kid?” “Great, Amy! They’re doing really well! How are you?” Amy answered, “Very well! You know Cassie, always keeping us on our toes! But she’s a great boss, really is.” Adam gestured to Ben and said, “This is my friend, Ben! He’s here to see Cass, actually.” Ben went wide-eyed and started shaking his head, but before he could say anything, Amy was walking away and saying, “I’ll get her for you!” “No, no, it’s fine!” Ben called, but it was too late. “God dammit, Adam! Why the fuck did you do that?” Adam chuckled, “Because, if your going on a date, you need to know the girl!” “It’s not a date! It’s a coffee date! That is where you get to know people before real dates!” As soon as he was done ranting, they both heard, “Adam?” Adam turned to see Cassie walking from behind the counter. “Hey, Cass! How are you, love?” Adam kissed Cassie on the cheek, as she answered, “I’m good! Here to get something for Kate?” “Um, no, actually. I have someone here who wanted to see you.” Adam gestured to Ben, who had his back turned and was scratching the back of his head nervously. “Ben,” Adam called. He didn’t respond. “Ben!” Startled, Ben jumped and turned around. “Oh,” he breathed, when he saw Cassie. “H-hi again,” he smiled nervously. Shit, why am I so nervous? Because you fancy her, Benedict, isn’t that obvious? Oh, God, what do I do now? Hopefully she doesn’t think I’m stalking her. “Hey! Fancy seeing you here,” she beamed. Is she happy to see me? “Y-yeah,” he stuttered. “Same, uh…same with you.” She started to giggle, “Well, I own the place, so you’ll see me a lot whenever you come in.” Ben nodded and said, “Oh. Well, that’s pretty neat. I-I mean that’s very neat, very neat indeed.” Oh, God, Benedict, you’re acting like a fool! She probably thinks your an idiot! You weren’t acting this way in the coffee shop! In fact, you were very confident, even called her pretty! Cassie started giggling. Wait, she’s giggling, is that good? “You’re funny,” she giggled. “Well, I’d love to stay and chat, but I have things to bake! Anything you two want is one the house.” Adam and Ben both thanked her immensely before she disappeared back into the kitchen. “That was very nice of her,” Ben commented. Adam gave him an “I told you so” look, to which Ben responded, “Piss off!”

Cassie walked into the kitchen feeling like a giddy teenager. Relax, Cassie! You just met the man this morning! It’s not like you’re a couple…yet. Ugh! Why is it so hot in here! Oh, you’re in the kitchen, Cassie. Damn, you’re out of it! Cassie took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down, then got out her phone to text Jess. It wasn’t thirty seconds after pocketing her phone, that Jess bursted into the kitchen, shouting, “Where is he?!” Cassie laughed, “In the shop. He’s with Adam. I don’t have time to point him out, so find him yourself!” Cassie turned back to her baking, and then there was a sudden bang! of the door. Cassie spun around to see Jess with her mouth hanging open. Cassie told her, “Jesus, you’re quick.” Jess ignored her comment and continued to say, “He. Is. Gorgeous.” “I know! I told you! Now, stop distracting me and let me work.” “You two would have gorgeous babies,” Jess dreamed. Cassie spun around and shouted, “Out!”

“And…Cassie said these were on the house, so here you go!” “Thanks, Amy!” Adam and Ben walked to a tall table and sat down with their chocolate croissants and coffee. “These are her specialty,” Adam told Ben. “They’re to die for!” Ben anxiously reached into the bag, now even more eager to try it. He took a bite of the pastry and was immediately in heaven. “Christ,” he breathed. Adam nodded enthusiastically. “Right?! Just think, if you got together with her, you’d get this stuff all the time. Though I’m sure you’d have to do a “little extra” to get these babies.” “Oh, God, Adam,” Ben muffled with a mouth full of croissant. “Please don’t tell me a “little extra” means—.” “Sex.” Ben rolled his eyes and continued eating. Oh what I wouldn’t give to rip that apron off with my teeth. “Hey, boys!” A peppy girl Ben had never seen, exclaimed. Adam wiped his mouth and said, “Hey, Jess!” He got up and gave her a quick hug. When he sat back down, he pointed to Ben and said, “This is—.” “Ben,” she finished, sticking out her hand. Ben cautiously shook her hand, wondering how she could have known that. Great. Probably another fan. “Cass has told me about you,” she explained. Or not. “Really?” He asked, a little flattered. “Well, it’s a pleasure to meet you…Jess, is it?” “Yep! I own part of this joint with Cassie.” “Ah. Well I must say that it’s really cozy. I like it a lot.” “Awe, thanks! I can’t any credit though. This was all Cass. She pretty much does everything. I’m here to basically count the money because she’s horrible at math. But I actually made her count the money today cause I’m too lazy.” Ben chuckled. “She sounds like a hard worker,” he commented. Jess nodded. “Oh, believe me, she is! Not a bad trait in anyone, am I right?” She gently elbowed Ben’s arm and winked. Ben cleared his throat and shifted uncomfortably in his chair. It’s clear that each of our friends are trying to get us together. Adam noticed Ben was getting uncomfortable and asked, “Cass baking again?” “Yeah,” Jess sighed. “One of our new employees is lacking. All she’s supposed to do is check the inventory and let Cass know what we’re running out of. Well, of course, that’s too difficult for this employee and Cass has to figure out what to bake, and then bake it fast before people start a riot.” “That’s not entirely fair,” Ben said. “Maybe you guys should talk to this person.” Jess shrugged, “We tried. Won’t listen. She flirts with the customers a lot, so if we get filed for sexual harassment, then it’s mostly on Cassie’s head.” “So fire her,” Adam told her. Again, Jess shrugged and said, “Cassie won’t let me. See, this girl has a kid, is in A.A., and just got out of rehab for being a heroine addict. Cassie thinks that we should give this girl a chance because she sees potential in her.” Ben smiled. “She’s got a big heart,” he said, mostly to himself. Jess sighed,  “Yeah, well, that’s her. She always puts other people’s needs before her own.” Adam cleared his throat and whispered, “Is that what made her…um…” “Yeah,” Jess whispered back. “She’s getting better now, though.” Ben furrowed his eyebrows and asked in an equally low whisper, “Sorry, but what happened?” Jess and Adam shared a look. Jess patted Ben’s hand and said, “Better let her tell you herself or she’ll have my head. That is if you two start dating.” Ben gulped at the word dating. For as much as he’s heard about Cassie, he really wouldn’t mind dating her. Getting together. Living together. Marrying. No, stop it! Ben shook his head and smiled at Jess. “Will do,” he told her. She returned the smile, then heavily sighed. “I’d better get back,” she told them. As she was walking away, she called to Ben, over her shoulder, “Have fun on your date tomorrow!”