Chapter Two Zenovia
I wipe my hands on my apron as I look at my favorite person in the whole world. Jordan Stanton, my best friend. She is the sparkly personality that keeps me going and my taste tester.
I own the Death by Cupcakes bakery in Fallon.
I opened the bakery after I needed to start over.
My previous job didn’t work out that well, and being a personal assistant isn’t for me.
I’ve always loved baking, which has always been my dream.
I lived in Orlando, Florida, and had to get away from there fast.
I was lucky that this open space was just what I needed.
“I’m just saying,” Jordan smirks. “That guy was totally checking you out. You need to have a little fun.” She bats her eyelashes at me. She has been asking me to go out with one of my customers, but I don’t feel a connection with him.
“I can’t just have fun. You know I’m not like that.” I wipe the counter as she leans over it and stares at me.
“Let’s go out tonight and see if this town has any victims.” She wiggles her eyebrows at me as I laugh. It will be a victim for her and not me. I don’t do one-night stands. I don’t do strangers. I want meaningful relationships.
I look up at the time before I turn back to her. “Fine, but only for a little while. I seriously need some sleep.”
“We all know what you will be doing tomorrow.”
She winks at me as she pushes away from the counter.
If only she knew. “I’m going to go get ready. See you in a few hours.”
She blows me a kiss as she walks out of the bakery.
I never have a dull moment with her around. She’s what I need to keep me grounded.
I finish up at the bakery and just as I’m about to turn the close sign, a guy runs up to the door, and I smile as I pull the door open.
“I’m sorry… I will only be five minutes.” His smile reaches his eyes as he looks at me. A strand of his curly blonde hair hangs in his emerald green eyes. I bite my lip as he stands in front of me.
“What can I help you with?” I close the door behind him, and he walks to the counter. “I’m Zenovia Moore.” I hold my hand out to him, and he takes it. He brings my hand to his lips, kissing the back of it.
“Cassian Austin… Thank you for staying open for me.”
I pull my hand back and wait for him to tell me what he needs.
The tingle I feel from his touch is something I can’t feel right now.
“I start at the high school on Monday. I was wondering if I could order some cookies for my class. Something to break the ice.” He raises his eyebrow, a little unsure.
I pull out my order book. “Did you have something in mind?” I wait for him to tell me what he wants.
“Something to say ‘welcome back’.”
“I have just the thing. How many do you need, and do you need me to deliver?” I write down what I have in mind. He furrows his eyebrows as he tries to count.
“Maybe about a hundred and fifty. I have three grades. The classes aren’t that big, but I have four classes.” He rambles, and I smile. I write down how many he needs. “I can pick it up before school, if it’s possible.”
“That’ll be perfect. You might need to pick it up at my house…” I stop talking as I look at him. Why did I tell him to pick it up at my house? I never let anyone go to my house.
“Perfect. Let me pay, and then you can let me know when I can pick it up.”
He pulls out his wallet and I ring up his order.
He hands me the money as I write down my address on the back of his slip.
He’s a teacher, and I don’t get any weird vibes from him.
I’m sure I can trust him. Hopefully, he isn’t a serial killer.
Oh, that would be just my luck, High School Serial Killer Teacher.
“Do you think I could get your number?” He holds his phone out to me, and I can’t seem to say no to him.
What the hell is wrong with me? He rubs the well-trimmed stubble on his cheek as I take the phone from him to enter my number before I hand it back to him.
He presses the call button, and my screen lights up.
“Now you have my number as well.” He winks at me.
“I’ll see you Monday morning.” I walk with him to the door, and he looks at me with a smile.
“See you on Monday.” He walks out, and I close the door behind him. I lock the door before I head back to the kitchen to clean up.
I ensure everything is clean and closed before heading home to prepare for my night out. I can’t seem to get the handsome Cassian out of my mind. Maybe it’s time to move on. Maybe my heart is telling me that I’m ready.