For now, though, I'd focus on getting through today—one batch of cookies at a time.
The doorbell chimed, and I glanced up to see Ellie walking in, her cheeks flushed from the cold. She always had that energetic bounce in her step, like life was a song she couldn’t help but dance to.
"Morning, sunshine!" she called, unwrapping her scarf and plopping down on a stool at the counter. "Got anything warm and delicious for your favorite best friend?"
"Peppermint mocha?" I slid a mug towards her with a grin. "And fresh peppermint cookies in about five minutes."
"You spoil me," she said, taking a sip and sighing contentedly. “You missed out on the holiday market, which is a bummer. It was so crowded. You'd definitely have sold out of those cookies. You going to the next one?"
I nodded, feeling the usual flutter of excitement mixed with anxiety. "Probably. I’ve been experimenting with new recipes. Thought I’d try these cookies today."
Ellie leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "You always nail it. Anything else on your mind? You look…distracted."
I bit my lip, then decided to spill it. "I mean, my car broke down yesterday."
"Oh, my gosh, that's right," she replied. "Sorry. I have a huge essay due like the day after break."
"Kane's kind of a Scrooge, isn't he?" I asked.
Ellie’s eyes widened as she set her mug down. "The biggest."
"The biggest?" I asked with a smirk.
Ellie flicked my nose. "That's not what I meant. Anyway. Your car. Is it okay now?"
I shrugged, trying to play it off. "Yeah, it’s fixed. Daryl Walker took care of it."
"Daryl Walker?" She leaned in closer, her curiosity piqued. "What’s he like?"
"Well, he's... different," I began, choosing my words carefully. "Quiet, reserved. He doesn’t say much, but he knows what he’s doing. I mean, I'm supposed to pick up my car in a couple of days."
Ellie smirked, her eyes dancing with mischief. "And you trust him with your car? That’s saying something."
I laughed softly. "Yeah, I guess I do. He may be a bit rough around the edges, but there's something about him that seems... reliable."
"Sounds like someone has a little crush," she teased.
"Oh, stop it," I said, feeling my cheeks flush. "It’s not like that. He’s just...interesting."
Ellie took another sip of her mocha and then set the mug down with a decisive thud. "You know what you should do?"
I raised an eyebrow. "What?"
"Invite him to the Christmas tree lighting tonight," she said, her tone filled with enthusiasm. "It could be good for him—get him out of that garage and into some holiday spirit."
I bit my lip, considering her suggestion. The idea of inviting Daryl to something festive felt almost absurd given his demeanor, but there was a part of me that wanted to see how he'd react.
"I don’t know," I hesitated. "He doesn’t seem like the Christmas tree lighting type."
"Exactly why you should ask him," Ellie insisted. "Who knows? Maybe he just needs a little push to enjoy the holidays."
I thought about it for a moment longer. Ellie had a point—sometimes people just needed an invitation to feel included.
"Okay," I agreed slowly. "I’ll do it. But if he says no, this is on you."
She grinned widely and gave me a thumbs up. "Deal! Now, let’s get those cookies out of the oven before they burn."
I opened the oven door and pulled out the tray of cookies, their sweet aroma filling the room once again. As I set them on the cooling rack, I couldn’t help but wonder how Daryl would respond to my invitation.
