“Perfect. I’ll wear it with pride.”
Folding the soft garment, I set it on the table between us and then sit back down. “Can you believe Christmas is only a month away?”
“Not at all. It feels like it was summer last week.”
“Fall’s my favorite, but it flies by.”
“That’s because once Halloween’s over, it’s basically the countdown to the inevitable snowpocalypse.”
“I can’t believe we haven’t gotten snow yet.”
He raps his knuckles against the table. “Don’t jinx it.”
“I’m hoping for a mild winter. I’ve had enough of clearing my car at three in the morning.”
He winces. “You get up that early every day?”
“Mhmm. Everything needs to be made fresh before we open at six.”
“What time do you go to bed?”
“I try to be asleep by nine, but it doesn’t always happen. I have staff who take over on weekends so I can catch up.”
“I’d be nodding off by noon.”
I point to my cup. “Caffeine. I drink copious amounts.”
“Even still, I don’t know how you manage.”
I shrug. “I’m used to it. Every bakery I’ve worked in keeps similar hours.”
He leans back in the chair, watching me like he’s seeing me in a new light. “You’re pretty amazing, you know that?”
My mouth opens, but I don’t get a chance to respond before the oven timer goes off. It’s loud, and at this moment, particularly offensive.
“Pumpkin bars,” I say, shooting to my feet like I’ve been caught doing something wrong. Hurrying to the kitchen, I grab oven mitts and remove the pan from the oven.
“Damn, they smell fantastic,” Jordan calls out as he enters the room.
I peer at the amber-hued dessert. “Let’s hope they taste good.”
“Can I try a piece?” he asks, looking as eager as a little boy.
“We should let them cool off before I cut them.”
“Please?” he pleads with big eyes.
I cut a small piece from the corner and hand it to him. He doesn’t even blow on it before he shoves it in his mouth. Suddenly, I’m nervous. I want him to be impressed with how they turned out. I hold my breath as he chews.
He lets out a groan. “Oh my God. I could eat that whole pan.”
My lips spread until I’m beaming at him. “Really?”
“Yes. These are going to sell out in a matter of minutes.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“There’s only one problem.”
