Chapter 5
CHAPTER 5
JULIUS
“Three éclairs. The chocolate ones, please. And…one of those pretty tarts with the blueberries and two banana muffins.”
“Coming right?—”
“Okay, make it three banana muffins. One for the journey, right?”
I smile and pack up everything neatly in a box.
“Can I get you anything to drink?”
“No, thank you. I’ll just take those yummies.”
I ring up the order, and off she goes.
“Who’s next?” I ask hopelessly because I’ve lost count of the people coming in and out of my coffee shop. Breakfast feels like a week ago and lunch is a luxury for those who don’t have patisserie geniuses working in their kitchen.
No one answers my question because every single one of my customers is focused on the show they can see through the open kitchen door.
“Hey, Liv, let me take your order.”
“Don’t rush. I put a sign on the bakery door saying I’ll be right back.”
I sigh. Not her too.
Not that I can blame her or anyone else. Watching Constantine work is mesmerizing. With his headphones on and humming a tune I don’t recognize, he’s so focused that I’m not sure he’d know if there was an earthquake in Stillwater.
He glances up and smiles, waving at the line of people waiting to try to take home one…or five of his amazing pastries and cakes.
“What can I get you?”
“Actually,” she says, “any chance I could have a word with him? That cake I tried yesterday was out of this world, and I want to know what he put in it. I think it would really work on a bread recipe I’m developing right now.”
“Go ahead.”
She practically dances over to the kitchen. Constantine removes his headphones and I struggle to pull my gaze away and call the next customer.
“Can I have all of those macarons? I haven’t had them since I went to Paris on my honeymoon, and I just bet these are even better.”
“Of course. Can I get you a drink to go too?”
“No. Thank you, my dear.”
It’s the same all afternoon. I hop between serving customers staying and those wanting an order to go.
This certainly beats having the kitchen on fire, broken cups, cakes dropped on the floor, or any of the catastrophes my previous helpers caused.
When there’s a short break in the line, I try to check in on Constantine, but the door to my coffee shop opens again, the wind blowing in teenage trouble.
“Hey, Julius. Did you know your muffins are my favorite muffins of all time? Dad says your coffee is the best too.”
I laugh and lean against the counter. “Kayleigh Nielssen. What do you want from me? Let me check the calendar.” I pull my phone from the drawer under the register and pretend to look. “Yup. I believe someone is still grounded for starting a bonfire in their backyard, and I have specific instructions from someone’s dad to not supply any sort of treats.”
“It’s a good thing I’m not asking for a treat then.”
Kay is far too world-smart for a fifteen-year-old, thanks to spending most of her life with her dad, the lead singer of Hall of Fame, and the rest of the band, her honorary uncles. Now that they’ve settled in Stillwater with her dad’s boyfriend, she’s become one of my regulars.
“What are you asking for?”
“I need you to supply coffee for a fundraiser.”
“You got it. What are you fundraising for?”
She stares like she was hoping to work harder for it, but part of my business plan is to be part of the community and help whenever I can.
I have portable equipment to supply coffee at any location, and the soup kitchen, which also serves as a community center, has my old coffee maker for events stored there.
She hands me a small leaflet. “It’s for the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program. We learned about Ryan at school when Mr. Bradford did a talk about HIV/AIDS education. My group project is to raise awareness in the local community, and I thought it would be a good idea to raise some money to help out too.”
“It’s a great idea, Kay. Have you spoken to Liv? I’m sure she’d be willing to offer her cookies.”
The smile on her face falls. “She can’t. Levi and Arlo are going on a honeymoon, so she’s closing Lovely Buns to take Ava to visit their aunt in Chicago.”
“I’ll help.”
We both turn to Constantine, who’s standing by the kitchen door with his apron in his hand.
“Who are you?” Kay asks. “I know your face.”
I bite my lip to stop from laughing. Kay is a force of nature, and the world is not ready for her.
“I’m Connie Galanis,” Constantine says, raising his hand. “I’ve baked everything on that display. Tell me what you need, and I’ll do it.”
Kay crosses her arms and purses her lips before saying. “I need a sample.”
Constantine goes to the kitchen and returns with the end piece of a lemon cake. Kay takes it and tries it immediately. It’s like I’m watching a baking competition judge assessing texture and flavor.
Kay hums as she tastes the cake and Constantine brings his finger to his mouth, biting his nail.
“You two are something else,” I say. “Kay, stop playing boss dragon when you need shit for free. Constantine, you don’t need to be worried. The gig is yours.”
“Says who?” Kay straightens her shoulders but hasn’t stopped eating the cake.
“Says me.” I place a blueberry muffin on the counter and she grabs it, running for the door.
“Love you,” she says out the door.
“For the love of rock n’ roll, don’t tell your dad I gave you a muffin.”
“I won’t.”
“Why do I get the feeling we’ve both been played?” Constantine asks.
I laugh. “We weren’t played. We were Kayed.”
“Who is she?”
“Ever heard of Hall of Fame?”
“Yeah, Leo is a super fan.”
I walk over to him and put my hand on his shoulder. “You’re about to win the Brother of the Century award.”
Constantine’s eyes widen and the skin beneath them takes on a little color. I didn’t know he had freckles. The tiniest, prettiest freckles.
I jump when I hear the door open again and clear my throat. “Yeah…um…Leo will be surprised. You’re getting total bro points there.”
“Sure.” He turns and goes back to the kitchen, leaving me with my embarrassment and the new customer.
What was I thinking touching him? I mean, it was innocent enough, but where was my mind going? If Constantine leaves because of me, I’ll never forgive myself. He’s by far the best thing that’s happened to Bittersweet, and I can’t afford to lose him.