The Baker

Chapter 12

A/N: I don't even know...I tried to develop, but it obviously didn't work out, so let's just continue with Ben and Cass!

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Ben had drove Cassie to work after she called Jess and got dressed. He held her hand the entire way, trying to make her feel like she was important to him in any way. When they got out of the car, he offered her his hand as they walked up the sidewalk to the bakery. To his relief, she took it and held it tightly. They walked in to see Jess running around the place and stressing out. She usually did when Cassie wasn’t around. “Is she all right?” Ben asked in hushed tone. “Yeah,” Cassie sighed. “She just freaks out when I’m not here running things.” “Hm. Sounds like she really needs you. Because you’re important to her and you’re employees.” Cassie got the jest of what he was saying and couldn’t help but smile. Ben caught it and he was too relieved for words to describe. He turned her to him and kissed her tenderly. “You have a good day, okay?” He told her. She nodded and he kissed her cheeks, forehead, nose, jawline, neck, making her giggle. He stopped and giggled with her. “By the way, did you notice I was playing with pet names?” He suddenly asked. Cassie thought back and said, “Um…now that I think about it, yes.” “Which one did you like best?” Again, she thought back. She liked all of them, actually. Honey. Baby. She’s also noticed that he’s called her sweetheart. Darling. Babe. Finally, she told him, “I don’t know. I like all of them. But…I don’t know, baby sounds sweet. It makes me smile.” “Well, then I shall make you smile all the time…baby.” She giggled and he chastely kissed her lips. “Ugh, you two make me sick,” a voice came from beside them, causing Ben to brake the kiss. Jess was standing only mere inches from them with her arms crossed. Jess continued to sound annoyed, saying, “Can you two lovebirds hurry it up please? I’m trying to run a business here!” “Since when?” Cassie asked under her breath. “What was that?” Jess asked. Cassie smiled, “Nothing. I’ll be there in a minute.” Jess finally left them alone after a moment of accusing stares. Cassie turned back to Ben and asked, “Can I get you anything? Coffee? Croissant?” “I would love both, actually. I have a meeting to get to in a couple hours.” Cassie took his hand again and led him to the counter. She went into the back room and got him his croissant and came back out and got his coffee. She slid them to him on the counter, as he slid a twenty to her. She pushed it back and said, “On the house.” “You know, your boyfriend can be independent, too,” he told her with a wink. She sighed, “Fine.” She took the twenty and gave him back his change. “Will that be all, sir?” She asked with a smirk. Ben smiled and opened his mouth to say something, but then Jess interrupted, saying, “I swear, Benedict Fucking Cumberbatch, if you say “a kiss” or anything remotely close to that, I will drop-kick you in your gorgeous face.” Ben’s mouth stayed open, but then he closed it. “Knew it,” Jess smirked. “Jess,” Cassie whined. “Go do math or something!” Jess sighed and slowly walked into the back room. Once she was out of earshot, Ben whispered, “I don’t think she likes me very much.” “It’s not that,” Cassie explained. “She just doesn’t like distractions. Obviously, you are a very welcome one.” He chuckled, then said, “Well, I should go. I have quite a drive into London. I’ll call you later and we can plan something? I’d love to take you out tonight.” Smiling and pretending to think, Cassie said, “I don’t know. I’ll have to check my busy, busy schedule. I do have other suitors you know.” Ben leaned over the counter and growled, “Not if I have anything to do with it.” Cassie giggled and playfully pushed him away, while saying, “Go! I don’t want you to be late.” “Now who’s the welcome distraction?” “Shoo! Or I’ll get my broom!” Chuckling, Ben kissed her cheek and said, “I’ll call you later.”