Chapter 1 #2
Stepping inside, I was always caught off guard by the size of their store.
From the outside, it seemed impossible there’d be three massive showrooms containing every piece of furniture imaginable.
They had everything needed to furnish a whole home all the way down to the small accent pieces that’d add charm to a space.
Even though my cake shop was either pick-up or delivery, I’d still purchased three small table-and-chair sets from them when I first opened.
And on occasion, my customers would grab a seat to enjoy their treats.
I moved through the showroom on the far-right side of the space, past the front window displays, couches, and coffee tables, toward the register at the back of the store.
When I’d made it to the halfway point, Joyce looked up and saw me making my approach.
Even from the distance, I couldn’t miss the way her face lit up.
“Oh, it’s our favorite baker,” she declared proudly.
Coming to a stop on the opposite side of the counter, I placed my cupcake container on top. “It’s me. How are you doing, Joyce?”
“We’ve been doing great. It’s been rather busy lately. I’d ask how things are going at that cake shop of yours, but with cakes as delicious as yours, I know you’ve got your hands full.”
I smiled at her. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“I love the way you did your hair.” Joyce leaned to the side in hopes of seeing behind my head. “Is there a special name for that?”
Turning so she could see it, I said, “I hate to say it mostly happened by accident. I guess you could call it a mix between a French braid and a mermaid braid. I’d been trying to do something to make it look cute while keeping it tucked away and out of my face.
” I lifted my hand to a few of the rogue strands.
“But you can see how well that paid off.”
Joyce was in awe. “Well, it looks stunning.”
“Thank you. So, where’s Dale today?”
As if on cue, the man came up from behind me. “Hello, Chloe.”
“Hi, Dale. How are you doing?”
“Great. I was just helping some folks who were interested in a new bedroom set.”
“Oh, well, I don’t want to keep you, but I’ve got some cupcakes I thought you and Joyce might want to try,” I revealed.
He chuckled as his eyes landed on my cupcake container. “I’ve always got time for that. Plus, that couple I was helping left. They’re planning to come back tomorrow and make their final decision.”
I bounced on my toes, excited about being able to share with them, and pulled the lid off my container. “Well then, how do you feel about lemon cake?”
“Oh, those look wonderful,” Joyce marveled at them. Over the years, I’d learned she was a very visual woman. It was one of the reasons I didn’t show up with plain cupcakes or ones with rushed frosting or glazes on top. I always made sure they looked pretty, too.
I smiled as Dale added, “I’ve never met a cupcake flavor I didn’t like.”
“Then help yourself. Even after making stops along the way from my place to yours and getting feedback from everyone, I still have a bunch of them left.”
Joyce and Dale each took a cupcake, neither hesitating to take a bite.
Moans of delight filled the air, and all I could bring myself to do was walk over and sit on one of the couches with a huge smile on my face.
I wasn’t quite sure there was anything that made me happier than witnessing folks enjoying the cakes I baked.
“These just might be your best yet,” Dale declared.
My brows shot up in surprise. “Really?”
Nodding as he reached for a second cupcake, he explained, “You know how much I love those chocolate ones with the raspberry frosting, but if I wanted something different, I’d pick these. They’re excellent.”
Joyce added, “They’re so refreshing, Chloe. Perfect for this time of year.”
“Chloe should do Gus’s cake,” Dale said, his attention on his wife.
I perked up, and Joyce brought her wide eyes to me. “Do you think you could do that? Our great grandson is turning one at the end of June. It’s three months away, but it’s probably not too early to start planning.”
My heart practically exploded. I remembered when Gus was born. Dale and Joyce had been over the moon and even shared some photos of him with me. Had it already been a year?
“I’d love to make his first cake. Do you know what kind of cake you want?”
A look of despair washed over their expressions before Joyce said, “I’ll have to talk to my grandson and his wife. I’m not sure if they’ve got anything in mind just yet.”
I got up from the couch, thinking I might need to consider new furniture for my own place, and returned to the counter. “If it’d help, I could put together a few samples that you could take to them and decide on flavors first.”
“That would be wonderful. We’re going to visit them in two days, but if that’s too soon—”
“That’ll be plenty of time for me to put something together. I can have it ready to go by the end of the day tomorrow.”
Joyce sent an appreciative smile my way. “Thank you, Chloe.”
I waved my hand in the air dismissively and was about to tell her it was no big deal, but before I could do that, a movement from the opposite direction captured my attention.
And what happened next was unlike anything that had ever happened to me before.
I was rendered speechless.
Not a single word came to my lips.
Because I was staring at the most beautiful man I’d ever seen.