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I hand the phone back. “Holly, you really need to help me here. I have people waiting for these cupcakes. I can’t leave empty-handed.”
At that very moment, a woman, who isn’t dressed in the usual white T-shirt as the other staff, bustles into the kitchen from the back door. “I swear, this hasn’t happened to me in six years.”
Holly excuses herself and rushes to help the new woman. My vision of them is partially blocked by the huge racks holding several cake cooling trays.
“What happened for the first time?” I hear Holly’s peppy voice.
“I forgot two baking trays at home this morning. God, how do I tell Hank about it? He’s going to murder me.”
“You don’t have to tell him. Sue is still calculating morning sales. Oh my God.” I hear Holly’s excited cry.
“Hush! I know, I made a horrible mistake. There is no way Hank is going to miss the dip in today’s sales.”
Their discussion continues while I try hard to stop clenching my jaw at being ignored when I’m in a crisis mode. I’m about to call Holly when I hear her squeal.
“No! Wait a minute.” Holly takes a few flighty steps, returning to me.
“Sir, are you still interested in the action cupcakes?” Her eyes sparkle as she clutches her fist closer to her chest.
“Of course.” My chest inflates knowing that we are getting somewhere. It appears I won’t be leaving empty-handed.
She releases a bubbly laugh before asking, “And how many are you willing to buy?”
“How many do you have?” I raise an eyebrow.
She chuckles and turns around. “Hope, bring the tray.”
The woman, Hope, dressed in a peach oversized V-neck T-shirt and typical blue jeans, comes into view. I smile at the sight of the tray in her hands. Bright superhero cupcakes—Batman, Superman, and even Wolverine—look impressive and too…tempting. Rose is going to have a blast.
“I want to buy them all.”
Hope’s shoulders sag in relief. Some of the worry lines on her puckered forehead flatten, as if a giant burden is lifted from them.
“Thank you so much.” She folds her hands and bows a little before going inside.
“So, she’s the baker?” I jerk my head toward the door where Hope disappeared.
“Yes. She is amazing.” Holly glances up from where she’s meticulously packing the cupcakes in a box. “Will that be all?” She hands me a paper bag and I notice there is still one cake left on the tray, which she couldn’t squeeze with the rest.
“Give me that too.” I pick up a paper napkin from the counter and extend it forward, asking her to place the red Iron Man cupcake in my hand.
There is a hint of surprise in her eyes before she follows my instruction.
The soft, moist goodness melts in my mouth and I taste…cherry or maybe strawberry. One small cake was too little to judge.
I pay the final bill, adding an extra hundred dollars for Holly and the baker and leave the bakery with a spring in my step.
After arrangingthe bag in the passenger seat of my Porsche, I put on my aviators. I’m about to start the car when I notice in the side mirror someone running in my direction.
I lower the window as the baker halts before me. She bends forward, grabbing the car door and catches her breath. My gaze shifts from her ruddy face to her hands clutching the door. No nail polish, no accessory, not even a ring.
“Sorry…sir,” she says in between heavy breaths and waves the hundred-dollar bill in the air. “We cannot…accept it. Holly is new. She didn’t know.”
“It’s a tip. A thank-you.” I scratch my chin, confused by her action.
“We are really grateful, but it’s against the policy.” She raises her hand, wiping her forehead with the sleeves of her T-shirt.
“Policy of the bakery? Isn’t that a weird rule for a food business?”
