Well, that and the cats, who were doing their damnedest to be extra cool for Andi’s benefit.
“I can do pretty much any flavor you’d like, but these are some of my most popular.” I ran through the flavors I’d selected, while Julia picked up a fork in her slim fingers and began delicately sampling bites from the slivers of cake.
“These are wonderful,” she said, dabbing at the corners of her lips with a napkin and managing not to get even a ghost of a lipstick print on the napkin. “I think right now we’ve narrowed down the location to here or the Enchanted Forest. It’s kind of a tough call because her two greatest loves are cats and princesses.”
All my confidence evaporated. Julia was going to choose the Enchanted Forest for Andi’s party, and I was never going to book my first birthday party, and I was going to have to close the café, and Jojo the farting cat was going to end up living in an animal shelter forever, and I was going to have to live in my car, running the heat all the time so it didn’t blow up.
As Roger would say, I was spiraling.
And then it hit me.
“Princesses!” I squeaked out. Julia cocked her head, and even Andi abandoned the cats in the window to stare curiously at me. I cleared my throat and folded my hands together on the table, willing myself to relax. “We could do a princess-themed party here,” I said, impressed with how calm and even my voice sounded.
Like I wasn’t on the verge of a breakdown.
I imagined Julia’s future review.
Five stars: The owner didn’t come off as unhinged at all.
Andi bounced up and down. “Catsandprincesses?”
What would a princess-themed party look like? Pink streamers? Paper crowns? I stole another glance at Julia and decided a few paper products weren’t going to cut it.
No matter—I’d figure it out.
Then Andi grabbed my arm, her freckled face shining. “Can you get Princess Palollipop to come to my party?”
I had no idea who Princess Palollipop was, but from the blog posts I’d read on business success, I knew the only answer here was to say yes and figure out how to make it happen later.
“Absolutely,” I said, hoping I looked confident.
“TherealPrincess Palollipop? Not just you in a dress.”
“Um...” I looked to Julia, hoping her face would give me some hint as to what I was dealing with. But she was currently absorbed in licking some caramel frosting off her fork—without, I might add—smearing it all over her mouth.
Not that that’s what would happen to me. It’s just...
That’s what would happen to me.
I looked around at the café area. It was light and airy, with creamy walls and wrought-iron tables and pops of sun-kissed citrus colors here and there. I loved this place. I loved finally getting to bake for a living, and I loved knowing I was making a difference in the lives of the rescue cats who found homes through the café, and I loved the people of Gallows Bay, who, one-star reviewer aside, had been so friendly and welcoming.
If I wanted to keep my café, I needed this party. I needed it desperately.
I leaned closer to Andi and smiled. “TherealPrincess Palollipop. I promise.”
How hard could that be to make happen?
