“I bet you do. Which of your other skills translates well to this position?”
“Baking is meticulous,” she says. “It’s chemistry—it requires perfect timing and the ability to follow written rules. Patience, too. I’m good at paying attention to details, which means avoiding things like double booking or booking the wrong hotel room. That won’t happen with me.”
“Hm… I like that.”
“I have an eye for aesthetics and cleanliness, too. Your reports will be well-written and easy to read.”
My lips tug up at the corners. “Smart answer. I already know you’re skilled at decorating cakes. You’re telling me that will help you write a report?”
“Yes.” She laughs. “Don’t question it, or we’ll lose the plot.”
I shake my head in disbelief—in myself. My fingers push through my curls, tangling in hard enough that I may yank out some precious hairs. I can’t believe I’m doing this. It’s a short call, but I want her for the job. Even our ability to communicate means she’s a better fit than some of the people I talked to.
“You and I will be working close together,” I say. “Long hours—a full forty hours a week—and this job requires travel. We have a Finland trip coming up next month.”
“Oh! Finland?”
“Mhm. If you’re not interested?—”
“I am! I’m already traveling a bit this summer, so… yes. I’m happy to travel. How long would the trip be?”
“Just a couple of weeks. We’re doing some forestry work and shooting a few YouTube videos. How good are you with a camera?”
“Good enough to take pictures of a cake?”
“That should work.” I twist in my chair, contemplating my decision… but I already made the choice, didn’t I? It was made the second we met. “You’re hired.”
“Seriously? Just like that? You don’t need to, like… check with anyone else?”
“I’m the boss, Evie. There’s no one else to check with.”
“Right! Oh my God.Oh my God. Okay. When do I start?”
“How about tomorrow?” The sooner I have someone else to answer my calls, the better. “Is that too soon?”
“Not at all. I’m ready.”
It’s official. I’m working with Everett’s sister—specifically, she’s working forme. This is either the turning point I’ve been waiting for or a recipe for disaster.
Chapter Six
EVIE
I’ve cooked up the perfect recipe for my life. Step one: graduate from culinary school. Step two: save up for my bakery. Step three: open an adorable pastel bakery.
Working as someone’s assistant? Not part of the recipe, but improvisation has a place even when dealing with chemistry and food science.
Intentional Paper only takes up one floor of the expansive downtown building, but when I look up from the ground floor, I have to crane my neck to see the entire thing. Is this really where Theo works? Big business guy, indeed.
I’m wearing a new black pencil skirt, which feels fitting, and my hair is pulled back into a tight bun on top of my head. I look the part, but that doesn’t mean I’ll be good at being his assistant.
“Evie.” Everett squeezes my shoulder. “Stop dragging this out. Go in there. You’ll do great.”
“I don’t know if I will.” I look at him with bulging eyes. “What if I make a total fool of myself?”
“You won’t.” He leads me inside, jabbing the elevator door with an index finger. “Theo is a nice guy. You already know that.”
“I do, but what if he’stoonice? Like, if he secretly hates me, but he doesn’t want to say anything?”
