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Elara’s menu was perfect. She kept the permanent menu as simple as possible, then, every month, there would be a single, fancier, seasonal item available. That way, Elara could stay true to her roots while still allowing herself space to experiment.
Throughout the day, the bakery was filled with laughter, music, and the aroma of freshly baked goods. Friends reconnected over coffee and cake, while families gathered to share their favorite treats. It was as if the warmth of the sun had been bottled and poured into the hearts of everyone who stepped through our doors. It was like the spirit of O’Neills lived on in a different form.
"Hey, Cole," Elara whispered between serving customers, "can you believe this? It's really happening!"
"Of course it is. You’re rocking it."
"I'm freaking out!"
"You know, I could get used to working in this bakery. Building work is fine, but seeing people smile when they bite into your treats is really damn cool."
"You're really damn cool."
"Hey, don't let anyone hear you say that. I've got a reputation to uphold."
I reached into my pocket, my fingers brushed against a small box—a reminder that I still had one more important task to complete today.
***
ELARA
I'd done it.
We'd done it.
Every slice of apple pie I sold—and believe me, we sold a bunch of apple pie—made my heart sing a little bit more.
I leaned against the counter—the very counter my dad used to serve beers at—watching the last few customers sip their coffee and chat with their friends. It had been a buzz like no other. I'd been a little worried about Anthony, but every time I'd checked in with him, he'd seemed happy for the excitement, and all the attention the customers were giving him.
"Hey there, baker!" It was Lily. She came up to the counter, a wide smile on her face. I'd been concerned that offering coffee at my bakery might have put a dent in Lil's earnings at her store, so together, we'd come up with a little plan.
"Caramel tart?" I asked.
"Is the sky blue?"
I portioned up a slice and handed it over. Lily forked a chunk and ate. "This. Is. Stupidly. Good."
I giggled. "I'm glad."
"Sales are up," she said, smiling.
I'd given every customer today a five percent discount coupon for books bought in Happy Ever Affogato. "Yay!"
“By the way,” she said, “a lot of your customers are into some really kinky shit. And, like, a bunch of them bought romance about bakers today.”
“Ew. Don’t tell me that!”
She snickered. "One of them actually asked me out. He was buying a werewolf romance novel about fated mates. Do you think it’s a sign?”
“A sign that you’re . . . fated mates?” I asked.
She shrugged. “Well, you never know. Anyway, I accepted, so we’ll see soon enough.”
“Just try not to fall in love with him until at least the third date, Lils,” I warned her. Lily had been left broken-hearted too many times to count over the last few months, due to her endless optimism.
“Pshaw,” said Lily. “There’s literally no way I’m going to fall in love with werewolf guy for at least a year. Even if he did have this dreamy tattoo of the solar system on his arm. And you know how much I love tattoos . . ."
Uh oh. I mentally prepared myself for poor Lily coming to me in tears after yet another disastrous date. I hoped she’d find Mr. Right one day, but the problem was, it felt like she was looking too hard. She couldn’t see the wood for the trees.
