Eliza shrugged. “I simply asked a few people to tell me their favorite desserts.”
“Mm… who’s responsible for this mouthwatering masterpiece?” Cassie mumbled between bites. “And what is it?”
“Tiramisu,” Eliza said proudly. “Ben’s favorite and my specialty.”
“That’s quite a sophisticated dessert for a seven-year-old,” Penny laughed, sampling the cheesecake next.
“Is there coffee in it?” Cassie asked, unabashedly helping herself to thirds.
Eliza’s heart swelled with affection for her sweet, coffee-inclined friend. No one had an affinity for the caffeinated beverage quite like Cassie. She could probably taste a teaspoon in a gallon of cream. “Yep. The sponge cake is soaked in it.”
Cassie closed her eyes, releasing a soft moan of delight as she savored her fourth bite. “How have I never tried this before? I hope you realize you’ve ruined me for all other desserts. From now on, if it doesn’t have coffee in it, it’s not worth the calories.”
Eliza chuckled, but her breath caught in her throat as an idea gripped her. “That’s it!”
“What’s it?” Cassie and Penny asked in unison.
“The something special I’ve been looking for!”
Eliza paced the hardwood floor, tapping a finger to her lips as she mulled it over. She stopped abruptly, her dark eyes flashing with excitement. “The Calendar Café will be Poppy Creek’s first coffeehouse, right?”
Her friends exchanged a confused glance at her rhetorical question.
“Yes…” Cassie trailed off. “So?”
“So… what if I create an entire line of coffee-infused desserts? Tiramisu, of course. And a few original recipes, too. They can be our signature. What do you think?”
Cassie didn’t hesitate. “I love it! It’s a brilliant idea.”
Eliza beamed, thrilled by Cassie’s enthusiasm.
“Whatever you do, make sure you include this cheesecake on the menu,” Penny added, licking a smear of caramel sauce from her bottom lip. “It’s incredible.”
“Maybe I’ll combine it with the tiramisu.” Eliza giggled, her joy bubbling over with the endless possibilities.
“Is it too late to serve this at the wedding?” Sliding the plate in front of her, Cassie gave up all pretense of sharing the Italian delicacy.
“I’ll add it to the dessert bar,” Eliza promised.
“Speaking of the wedding…” Penny arched both eyebrows as she reached for a coconut macaroon. “I heard a certain prodigal son has returned to Poppy Creek for the celebration.”
Suddenly self-conscious, Eliza pulled at a loose thread on her pinstripe apron, avoiding Penny’s gaze.
“You mean Colt?” Cassie asked. “I met him for the first time last night during dinner at Maggie’s. I wasn’t sure what to expect based on the few tidbits Luke has shared, but he seems quite sweet and charming, actually.”
Penny groaned, rolling her eyes toward the ceiling. “Oh, Cass. Don’t tell me he’s fooled you, too.”
“He’s not that bad,” Eliza blurted before refocusing her attention on the wayward thread, heat singeing her cheeks.
Penny narrowed her gaze. “You know as well as I do that the guy is bad news. He’s immature, irresponsible, selfish—”
“It’s been years, Pen. Maybe he’s changed?” Eliza didn’t dare look up for fear Penny would see right through her.
“Eliza has a point,” Cassie offered. “People change. Look at Frank! Last year, he was a grumpy old hermit. Now he’s dating the most darling woman in the world. And without the coffee he’s graciously offered to roast for us, Eliza and I wouldn’t have a business.” Cassie paused, her pretty features scrunched in thought. “Actually, scratch that. Forget Frank. Look atme!I can’t believe how much my life has changed in such a short amount of time. Some days, I hardly recognize myself.”
Eliza smiled, grateful for her friend’s bright outlook. She stole a glance at Penny, who seemed to soften slightly.
“Fine,” Penny sighed. “I’ll postpone my final judgment. And for the record, I hope I’m wrong about him.”
