“Hi, friend,” Ava says. “I won’t interrupt. See you at book club tomorrow night?”
“I’ll be there,” I reply with a nod.
“Cool. Hi, Cassie.”
“Hey, Ava.”
My friend smiles, and then she’s off, and I turn back to Cassie.
“Book club?” she asks.
“Spicy Girls Book Club,” I reply with a nod. “Do you like romance novels?”
“Are you kidding? I listen to them all day long while I’m working. I’m obsessed with Connor Crais’s voice. I know he’s a happily married man, or so I’ve heard, but I totally have a crush on his voice skills.”
I snort at that. “Hey, we all have our crushes. If you’re a reader, you should join the book club. Right now, we’re readingPlay Alongby Liz Tomforde.”
“Oh, that’s awesome! I just finished that one last week. Samantha Brentmoor’s voice is justsosmooth and sexy. And Jacob Morgan? Yeah, I’m down for this book club. I’ll swing by the bookstore after I leave here.”
“This is so exciting.” I do a little shimmy in my seat. “You’ll love it. I should listen to books while I bake early in the morning.”
“You really should. It makes the time go fast. Okay, what else do you need?”
“Right. Back to work.” I laugh. “I’d actually like to hire a second baker. As of right now, I’m the only one prepping the night before and then coming in super early to bake all of the pastries and breads. I used to be able to handle it, but I didn’t really have a life outside of this place before, so it didn’t bother me. Plus, we’re getting busier, and it’s higher volume. I just can’t do it alone.”
Cassie’s nodding slowly, her eyes narrowed as she thinks.
“I can’t take on any more than what I currently have, but I have a good friend who just moved to Silver Springs and is a pastry chef. His name is Noah, and he’s really good. I don’t think he’s working anywhere else yet.”
“But does he want early hours?”
“I think that’s the nature of the beast when it comes to being a pastry chef.”
I nod in agreement. “And what about gluten-free recipes? Do you think he’d be cool with that?”
“Only one way to find out.” Cassie pulls her phone out of her purse, taps the screen, and then puts it on speaker and sets it on the table between us.
“Hey, pretty girl,” a deep male voice says.
“Hey, I have you on speakerphone. I’m chatting with my new friend Juliet, who happens to own Sage & Citrus in Bitterroot Valley.”
“I’ve been in there,” he says. “It’s fucking good. Hey, Juliet.”
“Hi, you can call me Jules. I hear you’re a pastry chef.”
“Aw, Cass is singing my praises again? How sweet.”
I laugh and see that Cassie’s blushing. “How do you feel about baking gluten-free? And are you looking for a job?”
“I might be looking for a job if it’s the right fit. Gluten-free is just another challenge. As long as it’s not sugar-free, I can work with that.”
“I have no issue with sugar,” I assure him. “But mine is a clean kitchen, making it safe for those struggling with celiac and gluten allergies. Would you be interested in popping by to chat?”
“You know what, I’m headed that way this afternoon, and would be happy to come in. Thanks for thinking of me, Cassie.”
“Sure, I hope it works out.”
“See you later, Jules.”
