Page 32 of Along Came Summer

“Summer. You. Are. Such. A.Dork.”

That I am.

* * *

“Ugh, the person who made these shoes hates feet. How can a pair of flat shoes besouncomfortable? I think my toes have fallen off.” Ness groans, carrying a tray of dirty plates and mugs she’s collected from the empty tables. It’s just gone ten in the evening, and we’re getting ready to close and start prepping for the next day.

The bakery is mostly vacant, save one table occupied by an absurdly attractive man and a gorgeous girl. They are obviously on a romantic dessert date. They're sitting across from each other but leaning in close enough to carry on an intimate conversation.

I have been trying to complete the day's banking and close the register, but my attention is drawn to the couple in the corner. They seem to be in their own little world, and I haven’t had the heart to go over there and tell them we’re closing.

Especially with the way the guy is looking at her while she talks. If the entire world caved around him, he still wouldn’t notice he’s that affixed to her.

“Summer?” I blink when Nessa calls my name and waves her hand in my face to get my attention. “Did you doze off with your eyes open again?”

I chuckle and shake my head, discreetly gesturing toward the couple. “No, my mind just wandered off while admiring that couple over there.” Nessa turns her head to look at them and nods. “See, that’s what I want. They seem to be really in love, don't they?”

“He is,” Nessa points out, “I’m not getting the same vibe from her, though.”

I furrow my brows and look over at them again as the guy takes her hand into his and presses a kiss to her wrist, his eyes never wavering from hers. Is she crazy? Are we looking at the same couple? “What are you talking about? She’s been staring into his eyes adoringly for the past two hours?”

“No,he’sbeen staring intohereyes lovingly for the past two hours. I mean, just look at how he’s looking at her like she’s some mystical creature about to blow unicorns out of her arse.” Nessa continues. “There’s definitely chemistry there. Hell, they’re stinking out the place with it, but from my perspective, he’s more into her than she is him. Which is a shame because he is a tall glass of yumminess I wouldn’t mind indulging in.”

“Pft, you’re crazy. They’re clearly in love. Maybe she’s just not as comfortable with public displays of affection?”

“Red velvet and hazelnut latte with an extra shot of espresso,” Nessa utters absent-mindedly, her brown eyes narrowing as she observes the girl.

I frown, staring at her bemusedly, “What?”

“She comes in at least twice a week, every week, and orders the mini red velvet cake and a hazelnut latte with an extra shot of espresso to go. Ha, I knew I recognised her.” Nessa explains, and I nod in understanding. “I’ve not seen him, though… I would definitely remember seeing him.” We both observe him feed her a bite of his chocolate tiramisu torte cake, deliberately smear it over her lip, and lean in to suck it off.

Damn, I can’t remember the last time I was kissed like that.

My stomach does a nervous flip while I watch them kissing ardently.

Maybe Ness is right. Maybe I should venture into dating again, especially if I’m getting second-hand flutters from watching complete strangers suck faces.

“Grammy, Grammy, will you please just sit.” I plead while sifting the cocoa powder into the bowl of flour as my grandmother gathers items to help me bake a three-tiered cake for a 40th birthday celebration. “Nessa will be here shortly, and she can assist me. I don't want you overexerting yourself.”

My grandmother, a petite woman with wisps of silvery-white hair, looks up from the kitchen counter where she's assembling a list of ingredients and baking supplies. Her bright blue eyes, still twinkling with life despite her years, regard me with a familiar mix of patience and amusement.

“Oh hush, now, Lovebug,” she protests, her words still mighty despite her age. “I'm hale and hearty. My legs may not be as sturdy as they once were, but my physician says I have the heart of a forty-year-old.” I smile softly when my grandmother takes my chin in her hand and beams at me. “But, if you keep worrying yourself like this, you'll go grey before your next birthday and give yourself an aneurysm.”

In that moment, Nessa arrives, entering the kitchen with an abundance of energy that immediately relieves my worry. “Oh, sweet lord, look who decided to grace us with her royal presence,” she exclaims. “The queen of our hearts has returned.” My grandmother laughs when Nessa rushes over and wraps her arms around her from behind, and she gives Ness's hands an affectionate pat. “Hi, Grammy Lovey.”

“Hello, my sweet girl.”

“We've missed you around here... and your sweet orange sugar cookies.”

“Well, it's a good thing I've brought some for you, isn't it, dear?” Nessa squeals and gives her another squeeze, making my Grammy chuckle in amusement. My heart swells in my chest when I hear her laugh or see the twinkle in her blue eyes. She considers Nessa a second granddaughter, as she spent so much time in our house growing up.

“Ness, get those ovens going. I'm almost done with the batter for the sponge cakes.”

We all get to work on baking the cake for the birthday party—my grandmother doing what she does best, preparing the fondant to shape the flowers that will go on the cake while Nessa and I measure out ingredients, mix batter, and assemble the tiers of cake.

It took us almost six hours, but we finally managed to finish with more than enough time for the client to collect. As I survey the cake, I'm filled with pride at what we've accomplished—and even more so when my grandmother pats me on the shoulder with a gentle smile of approval.

“It's exquisite, Lovebug.” My grandmother coos with a beaming smile as she studies the cake. The client wanted an ombre three-tiered cake for their green-themed party. The bottom layer is a marble of dark forest green blended with white and gold flecks. The centre tier starts gentle green and gradually pales into a luminous pearlescent shade until it reaches the top. An assortment of green and white blossoms made of buttercream adorned the front of the cake.

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