Opening time was eight a.m. and Leo had left through the back exit. People had been walking by for about thirty minutes, some stopping to check the opening times on the door, andothers lingering... that’s when Leo decided to leave, claiming nobody was going to be the first customer but him.
For the moments I was alone, I recounted all the things I was supposed to have put out, and realized I should’ve staggered some of my baking slightly. If everything in the display wasn’t all snatched up and eaten before lunch, I’d have far too much food left in the kitchen, which I’d planned to bring out to restock during the day. I didn’t know if I was doing all of this completely wrong. It was my first time working in a bakery, let alone owning one and making all the decisions.
It turned eight o’clock, and I flipped the sign and opened the door.
Leo, as promised, was the first one in. “Whoa, it smells amazing in here,” he proclaimed as a small crowd of people followed him in. He completely passed me without any pause to be first at the counter, already getting his order ready.
As I stepped back behind the counter to serve, I was still watching people come in. They flocked to the glass counter, tapping on it and cooing like they were observing fish in an aquarium. They were deciding which cakes and bakes they wanted to try first.
“I’ll take one of your banana bread muffins and a mocha with plenty of whipped cream, sprinkles, of course, and any marshmallows you have,” Leo said. “Pweese,” he added, pressing against the counter and pouting.
The town mayor had shown up now, and it seemed everyone wanted a peek inside. I’d been in some hectic situations before, dealing with deadlines, but nothing could’ve prepared me for the rush of customers that was queuing.
Quickly, I managed to serve all the customers and deal with new ones as they came in. Seeing all the tables full, many grabbed a to-go coffee and something sweet—most went for amuffin, but some of them were devouring apple pie and cream at this early hour.
People flooded in and people left, almost like they’re pre-agreed they would come in stages. Leo stayed most of the morning, but before he left—and he told me he really didn’t want to leave—he gave me a big kiss, announcing to the town we were together.
The town was intoxicated by the announcement, everyone coming in and telling me they loved Leo and if he loved me, then they’d love this place as well. Of course, I hoped those opinions would cement once they’d tried the amazing food I had to offer... and I think they did.
I was swept off my feet all day, having to showcase a near empty counter since most people had come in and bought several things at a time. I wondered whether I should’ve put a notice up saying they could only order a handful per person, but that type of marketing was reserved for collectables and less for consumables.
By the time the bakery closed at five p.m., everything I’d baked had been sold, and I’d had to turn away a number of people who hadn’t been able to come in during the early afternoon rush. I was exhausted but relieved it had gone so well. I locked the door just after closing time when two older women hadn’t wanted to leave, claiming they’d be back in the morning and wanted to reserve the spot in the back—the one below the air conditioning unit.
I finally got a moment to myself, a moment where I was alone and counting all my blessings. I was halfway through sweeping when a gentle tap sounded at the glass door. The white mesh curtain obscured them from vision, but I knew there could only be one person behind it.
And I was right.
Leo stood there with a big smile and a backpack weighing one shoulder down. “Everyone’s been singing your praises all over town,” he said. “Were you busy?”
“Sold out,” I told him.
He squealed. “Seriously?”
“Yeah, get in here,” I said. “Unless you’re just swinging by before going home.”
“I’ve been spending so much time here,” he said. “But if you want me to come in, I will.”
“Don’t be silly, of course I want you here. I like you being here,” I reassured him. “Although I think I might need that hand you were potentially offering earlier.”
He nodded. “Yep, what do you need me to do?”
“I need you to go into the kitchen and fix up a little snack,” I told him. “I’m gonna Swiffer through here, and then I need a snack.”
He giggled, trying to sway but almost falling with the weight of his bag pulling him down. “I shouldn’t do that. I’ve got books in here.”
“Perfect. A snack, some books, and then I’ll make dinner,” I said. “How does that sound? Unless you’ve already eaten, in which case, I’ll whip something up quick.”
“Maybe we should order pizza,” he said.
The instinct in me wanted to say we could make them, but I really wanted to be off my feet and eating as soon as possible. Better if I was cuddled up to Leo. “Let’s order pizza.”
“I’ll call,” he said, pulling his phone from his pocket. “Just cheese or—”
“Anything as long as there’s no pineapple.”
He stuck his tongue out. “Thank God! Yes, no pineapple. I’ll get pepperoni.”
“In that case, no need to make that snack.”
