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“Oh pfft! He’s a bag of party tricks; full of surprises. The sex is phenomenal.” Lexi sighed with a slow smile, thinking back to the teasing car ride home with Noah the night before, and the loving way they showered and curled into bed with reruns of a sitcom in the background.
“Good morning,” a soft feminine voice broke into their conversation. Lexi turned and smiled up at Ella; the owner of the restaurant. “Hey!” the woman’s bright blue eyes lit up in recognition. Her auburn hair was tied up in a bun which only accentuated her cheekbones, ones most models would kill for. “I wasn’t sure what day you were popping in. I didn't see that you were the one I had for a tasting today. It’s so nice that you thought of me.”
“You’ve sent enough clients to us, it’s the least we could do,” Mia interjected, smiling with a shrug. “We’ll keep each other busy.”
“Between Ella, Nolan, and word of mouth from our previous clients, we can’t keep up with handling everything just the two of us. Even with Melody’s help.”
“You say that as if it’s a bad thing.” Lexi pointed.
“It’s not, expanding the kitchen was amazing and kept us from renting a commercial space. It keeps me home with the kids.” Mia sighed, looking away from Lexi. “I–ugh.” She scrunched her nose in distaste. “I’m used to doing it.” Mia’s kitchen was just that, hers and everybody needed to evacuate while she cooked.
Closeted control freak.
“If you want me in the kitchen…” Lexi arched her brow in amusement. “Have we forgotten the Wilkins souffle that magically exploded the last time I helped you when we double-booked?”
“Oh fuck, I remember scraping it off the inside of the oven for a week. I still don’t understand how it turned blue.”
“That’s why it’s best that I’m kept out of the kitchen at all costs. Of all the things passed down to me, cooking wasn’t one of them.”
“You can make a mean omelet, and Zander says you make the best Fluff sandwiches. He prefers yours over mine.”
It’s because I put chocolate chips and sliced strawberries. Not one or the other. Aunties prerogative .
“What can I say, Auntie Magic.” Lexi turned her attention from Mia to Ella. “We’re looking to feed over one hundred guests, possibly one fifty. The bride hasn’t gotten back to me with the final head count. She did say she needed extra place settings for any last-minute guests.” Lexi handed Ella her note sheet with various specifications that were requested. “There isn’t too much on the list that was knocked off when I had them narrow their wishlist. We’re thinking light and easy, a mixture of hot and cold. No shellfish or cranberries, the groom is allergic.”
“Oh, that sounds perfect.” Ella looked at the sheet in her hand, marking with pencil notes to herself. “Does she seem like the adventurous type? I have been working on some new dishes. What do you think about sliders in three choices? Simple with a bit of flare.”
“Bring out a few ideas and we’ll go from there?”
“Okay, tell me about the cake and desserts. I want to fit it all together.”
“That’s my specialty.” Mia perked up and started rattling off her ideas to Ella as Lexi turned her focus toward her phone, checking messages and marking things off their to-do list for the wedding that was quickly approaching.
N - I can’t wait to see you tonight, sweet pea.
L - Oh yeah?
N - Woke up to an empty bed. I miss your scent.
L - Can’t tonight, I’m meeting a new client for dinner. Raincheck?
N - Friday. No exceptions or excuses. Friday, you’re mine. Understand, Lex?
With a half smile, Lexi replied to the text with a heart and kiss emoji, swiping the message away. Her headspace was set in work mode, and Noah was a distraction.
*
Lexi and Mia each carried two armfuls of new baking supplies. Heading up the driveway into Mia’s house toward the side door that was directly adjacent to the kitchen.
She balanced the bag on her hip, glancing over her shoulder at Mia. “ I'm really happy with our meeting with Ella this morning.”
“Me too. Even though I'm having a hard time letting things go.”
“You're going to spread yourself too thin.” Words that called them both out.
“Tell me about it, especially with Nolan trying to talk me into another baby.”
“Penelope isn't out of diapers yet,” Lexi joked . The two of them walked into Mia's; it was basically her second home.
