I occupied myself with getting some more baking done and sending out more of the taster boxes to the town mayor and other businesses, but not the competing bakery, which I wasn’t in competition with as they mostly did bread and pastry—okay, perhaps there was going to be a little bit of competition there because I enjoyed toying around with a croissant here and there.
Leo arrived at the bakery just after eight. He had a huge backpack almost weighing him down and he smelled fruity but fresh. I helped him into the store with his bike before I could really get at him with a hug and a kiss.
“All afternoon, people asked if I was sick,” he said. “Think they thought the soup stain was some type of disease.”
“Good to see it’s gone now,” I said, kissing him again on the lips. “And you smell so good.”
“I managed to grab a shower and do some laundry,” he said. “I didn’t want the soup to stain my clothes. Luckily, I put some stain remover detergent in with the load and viola, it was gone.”
As I began hooking my fingers under the bag on his back, I felt the real heft and weight behind it. “Are you moving in?” I asked.
“No, why?” his face dropped into an innocent smile. “Oh. I brought things.”
“I was just joking. Have you eaten?” I asked. “I haven’t, so I’m ready to make some supper.”
“I had a little snack earlier, but if you’re cooking, I can definitely eat.”
“Good boy, that’s what I like to hear.”
I locked up the bakery and walked through with him into the kitchen. I’d thought about supper quite a bit. I’d surfed the internet, seeking information for what I could make for him. It had resulted in a lot of different ideas.
“Every time I come in here, my stomach kicks into gear and it’s like my mouth is just open wide,” he said, placing his bag on the counter with a thud. “I did bring my special bowl and cutlery too.”
“What do you want to eat?” I asked him. Better to ask the source rather than make a guess, but I was prepared for anything. “And I was wondering if you had special things like that.”
“Well, I have a collection at my place, so maybe this one can stay here,” he said. “Not like I’m moving in, but if you’re making food and I’m eating food, I want to make sure I’m having it from my special bowl.”
I leaned in and put a hard kiss on his forehead. “That’s some good forward thinking,” I told him. “And I like cooking for you. In fact, let me show you the fridge. I’ve added a couple of new things to it.”
There was a fridge upstairs, but I really didn’t like using the upstairs kitchen when this incredible one was right here. That would all change once the bakery was fully operational, though, mostly because it would be too busy to also accommodate lunch and dinner.
In the large fridge, I’d sectioned off an area with food I’d bought earlier in the day, and some I’d ventured out for upon learning from the internet. There was fresh fish—cut, breaded, and ready to make some gourmet fish sticks from. Therewere also hot dogs and a whole bunch of different meats for sandwiches too.
“You have macaroni?” he asked.
“Ding!” I said, pointing at him. “I bought some today. Mac and cheese?”
“Really?”
“Yep, something”—the internet—“told me you might like mac and cheese. Call it a hunch, or maybe I just know you so well already.”
He giggled. “I always make it from the box and then put it in one of those little oven trays and bake it with some breadcrumbs. It makes the best ever.”
“Best I can do is fresh. No boxed mac and cheese here.”
“Whatever you think is best, I trust you. And I also want to help.”
“Then let’s get you an apron.”
It was nice to have someone who wanted to be in the kitchen with me, and this one was big enough for the two of us, especially when we had the same goal. A delicious mac and cheese to fill hislittlestomach.
As I put an apron on him from behind, I gave his neck a little kiss. He shuddered and giggled, letting out a shimmy that had him backing up against me.
With all the ingredients out, we started to cook up a storm for this non-boxed mac and cheese that I was sure would blow Leo’s mind right out of the water. He’d never be able to go back once he’d tried mine.
“You know, I’m not just trying to feed you,” I said after a moment of inner concern.
“I know, you’re also wanting to read and play too,” he said.
