Page 13 of Sweet Temptation
Not something I enjoy doing often, but when the mood strikes, it can be a lot of fun.
My favorite thing, though, is to make something beautiful.
Growing up with a mother who likes to make beautiful lingerie gave me a different spin on art. And while the idea of designing clothes or lingerie never did it for me—I’ll stick to wearing them instead of making them—there’s something to be said about making a beautiful dessert and watching someone’s eyes light up when they see it and their taste buds light up when they taste it.
I like to think it’s pretty special, and so is this place.
This place that gave me my love of baking.
A love that led to my first taste of freedom, and this thing that I’m pretty damn good at.
Today, Amelia’s cupcakes line her shelves in bright colors. Purples and pinks and minty greens with a few shades and flavors of chocolate and the vanilla bean she always has for the cupcake purists who just don’t know what they’re missing out on. And as usual, I peruse the case, unable to decide what I want while I wait for her to come out of the back office.
“I guess I’ll take a chocolate chip cookie,” I finally tell the young girl behind the counter. She’s new. At least she wasn’t here when I left a year ago.
“Do you want coffee too?” She looks up as she places the cookie in a pink paper bag. “Our blueberry coffee goes out of season next week.”
“Lexie doesn’t drink coffee, Mae,” Amelia announces as she walks through the swinging double doors that lead to the kitchen and office. “But she’ll take an Earl Grey tea with lemon.” Her brow shoots up, daring me to tell her she got my order wrong, but of course, she didn’t.
Some things never change, and apparently, I’m one of them.
“Thank you,” I add as I’m enveloped in Amelia’s arms.
“It’s so good to see you, sweetheart. You look good.” She hands me my tea, grabs her own coffee, and crosses the small bakery, stopping at my favorite booth. “How are you feeling?”
And there it is.
The question everyone always asks.
“I feel good.” It’s my standard answer, even on days when it’s not the honest answer. Luckily today, it is the truth. “But I’ll feel better once I’m back on the schedule.”
“You just got home.” Her pretty eyes narrow on me just like her son’s do.
“And I have nothing to do. Please tell me you’ve got some hours for me this week,” I plead, glancing over her shoulder at Mae, hoping I’m not begging to steal her shift. “I thought we agreed I’d start right away.”
“We did. But the shop is closed for the next two weeks while it’s being painted and new tile flooring is laid. I wasn’t planning on you starting until the following week.” She sips her coffee and watches me over the top of the mug, daring me to argue. Amelia may be a sweetheart, but she’s far from a pushover. “You’re welcome to use the kitchen in the meantime, if you’d like to work on any recipes or just reacquaint yourself with it.”
“Amelia...” I can’t help but feel like I’ve been duped. “Is there any reason you’re just now telling me this?”
My boss smiles at me. “Enjoy the next few weeks off, Lexie. Go to the beach. Get some sun. Spend time with your friends. The bakery will be here when you get back, and I was thinking we could talk about updating the menu a little then too. Maybe we could put your classical training to use.”
I may have been duped, but now I’m definitely being bribed.
“But...” I leave it hanging because there’s definitely abuthiding somewhere in here.
“No buts. You’re going to be a big part of the Sweet Temptations team, Lexie. I might even slow down a little, if everything works out the way I hope it does. I just want you to ease into it.” She reaches across the table and cups my cheek in her hand. “You’re young, sweetheart. Enjoy yourself a little first.”
“What if baking is what I enjoy?” I push back, a familiar frustration building in my chest. One that I fight often when I know I’m being handled.
“Oh, honey... loving what you do is what makes life easier, but there is so much more than that in life. Don’t get so caught up in work that you forget to live.”
Aurora
Anyone in the mood for a pool day?
Brea
Please say yes. I just got a new bikini I wouldn’t mind breaking in.
