Page 21 of Beaches, Bagels & Babes
But, deep down, Candace knew that it was monstrous.
Reckoning with this was not why Candace had come to Wonderwood. But, it might be what she needed. Could Candace find her path for the future while also making up for past mistakes? She had to try.
It was selfish. Vain. But Candace worried over whether or not Daisy hated her. Maybe, even if she did, saving Bagel Bombs! would be enough to change her mind.
Chapter 6
Daisy
Working with Candace Perry was, as it turned out, not the trainwreck Daisy predicted.
She’d been waiting when Daisy pulled her golf cart into the car lot behind Bagel Bombs!. Her figure on the back steps was murky in the early morning haze, hunched as she hugged her sleeveless frame against the clammy chill. The instant she saw Daisy, she snapped to her feet. They exchanged painfully awkward greetings.
Then and there, Daisy said and internal “fuck it.”
Last night, after stress-baking a literal mountain of bagel bombs, Daisy dug out her lease with Peter Perry. Candace had been telling the truth. Despite her lease technically spanning for another three years before she needed to renew, she was screwed. Tucked into a clause about “tenant responsibility,” in legalese Daisy might not have understood without Candaceputting it so plainly, was Peter Perry’s trump card. If she did not meet a ridiculous gross profit backed by financial documents she was obligated to provide by an arbitrary date at the end of August, he was free to kick her out.
It sure did not seem legal. But Daisy’s signature on the document was plain as day. She did not have the time, let alone money, to fight a man like Peter Perry in court. His lawyer, Vinny Lamarka, was well-respected around town, but it was rumored that he had shady ties and even shadier tactics.
So, fuck it.
Maybe Candace was as self-serving as ever and was just looking for the first boat she could cling to. At the same time, the woman seemed to legitimately loathe her uncle. If she wanted to expend her time and effort to help Daisy stand her ground?
Fine. Done deal.
Still, determining if the woman could be trusted to run Bagel Bombs! without burning the place down seemed important. It was not complicated: take the order, put the bombs in the toaster oven, fill beverage, done. There were other, more complicated things like inventory stocking and rotation, but Daisy had a special system and it was better if she handled that part.
All while Daisy showed her the ropes, Candace took notes.
“... and you’ll want to make sure toeasethe button in,” Daisy told Candace as she explained the industrial toaster that was older than either of them. “Be gentle, and don’t rush her. But that’s all there is to it. This ol’ gal might not look like much, but she’s good for it.”
“Hm,” Candace mused. A wry smile curved her lips. “The oven and I have a lot in common.”
Daisy almost laughed. She managed to turn the sound into a neutral grunt, not wanting to give the woman an inch.
“So,” Daisy started. “I looked over your master plan some more. A facelift and social media blitz are easy enough to spitball, but they’re out of the question right now. Even if I hadthe money to renovate, I can’t afford to close the place long enough to do it. And I tried social media, but I only ever got traffic from trolls and lost grandmas.”
Candace held up her pocket notebook, hiding her mouth. Her eyes, though, danced mischievously.
“Just leave all that to me.”
Daisy crossed her arms. In the background, the toaster oven ticked with their breakfast bombs. Asiago and chive cream cheese for Daisy, and cinnamon for Candace—she liked sweet things, go figure. A woman used to a sugar-coated world, accustomed to things simply working out for her. Well, Daisy thought, this time it wasn't just Candace’s taste setting the tone.
“Really,” Candace assured. “I told you, I know what I’m doing.”
“Is that so? Well, why don’t you take your first customer?”
With a flick of her wrist, Daisy turned on the fluorescents and officially opened her haven for the hungry. Dawnlight was just starting to brighten the beach and boards, bringing with it the first wave of breakfast goers. This early, their patrons consisted mainly of runners and bikers, the athletes of Wonderwood. These types were happy to have something mobile like bagel bombs. Small, in sealed little baggies so they stayed warm, the bombs could be eaten on the go, or taken back to family still sleeping in vacation rentals. They were a reliable, steady customer base.
Except today.
It was a slow morning. Minutes ticked by, and not a single passerby stopped to glance at Bagel Bombs’! window display. In a hyper-aware sort of way, Daisy could sense Candace’s apprehension growing—her own certainly was. Daisy could not say why, but she started to feel embarrassed. Doubly so as Candace grew so bored that she took out her phone.
When they finally did see some life, Daisy had to nudge Candace with her flip-flop. It was not the best start. Even so, watching the woman with customers was like a switch flip.
Daisy was a good salesperson. She was informative, able to upsell, and, most importantly, knew how to make her customers happy.
Candace, though, made every person who visited Bagel Bombs! her best friend. Old or young, shoobie or local, and every personality type, no one seemed immune to the Pier Princess’ charm.
