Revised 4/14/19
I'm humming lightly as I roll out the dough I'd been kneading, once it's at the thickness I like I line a pie dish with it, cutting off the excess with smooth movements.
The front of Bella's Bites is empty and I take the quiet moment to restock my chocolate peanut butter pie, which is by far my best selling.
I'm about to get the chocolate filling I'd prepared this morning when the small ding of a customer entering the store stalls my movements. I wipe my hands on my apron and walk out to the front of my little shop.
A small boy is looking excitedly into the glass displays his small nose pressed upward in a little snout, and fogging my glass. I'd almost be upset about the smudges if he weren't so cute. His small nose is freckled and sits above a crooked grin, his best, and by far my favorite, feature are his eyes. They're a dazzling green that compliment well with his coppery hair.
"Hi there." I say with a smile he pulls his nose off the glass looking up at me with a bright smile. He's even cuter when his nose isn't being pressed into glass.
"I was a big boy for my first day, I get a special treat." he states proudly. I let out an appraising gasp and smile wider. He's a tiny little kid, and pale, granted I'm pale, btu on him it almost makes me think of illness. Those cute eyes are rimmed by lilac shadows, making me lean toward the poor health idea. My heart clenches, his bright smile is the kind of magical thing that makes you happy with him, and the thought of him unwell just seems wrong.
"Your first day? And you came to me?" I can't help the warm tone and bright smile, being a part of this boys happiness today helps break up the monotony of the day.
"I'm honored sir, I'm sure I can find you a delicious treat." He bounces excitedly looking at the display, his tiny hands splayed out to brace himself as he inspects fully. His little green eyes flicker from treat to treat, and his lips purse in a pout of contemplation.
"Can I offer you a sample of something?" I ask as he ponders his treat. He looks to the front window where I see the back of a tall man, presumably his father if those coppery locks tell me anything. He's talking into a phone, a hand running through his hair in frustration. Every ounce of his well built frame oozes annoyance in this moment; broad shoulders tightened, and long legs pacing back and forth, my appraising eyes linger on his coppery hair, almost golden with the afternoon sun streaming through it.
His voice draws my attention back inside to where he stands, his hands now resting dejectedly at his sides.
"I gotta wait for Daddy," his voice gets low and his bright eyes dim in sadness, his lips pucker not into a cute pout, but to a frown. "He's always busy." he almost whispers. His sadness is more potent than any starving African child ad, and puts the wounded puppy eyes to shame.
"Hey now," I breath out in a rush. My legs propel me and I skirt around the display swiftly and kneel beside him. He turns slowly to meet my eye. Without thinking, my hands come to rest on his arms just above his elbows, my thumbs rub reassuringly and his sadness lifts a little.
"While he's busy, he gets to miss out on the fun, want to come help me make a pie?" He nods excitedly, his pout shifting up to a tentative smile and his eyes blazing bright once again. I look shrewdly over his shoulder to the man who is still on the phone, he's no longer pacing or running his hands through his hair, but he doesn't look any closer to finishing.
"Come with me." I stand and hold out my hand which he takes readily and we stroll around the counter. I turn just before we duck into the back of the shop.
"When his dad comes in tell him we're in back." I holler to Shelly Cope who runs the bookshop next door.
Our two business were at one point separated, but we tended to attract a lot of the same customers, not to mention we both enjoy the others services. We say it's for the customers, but it was a purely selfish motive. Shelly liked to come over for snacks, but had to lock up her shop in order to do so, and I'd been going to Shelly's for years to get books, that's hardly manageable while running my own shop. So we tore down the wall between our two businesses and installed a set of stairs and a railing as Shelly's shop is a little higher than mine. It'd made an agreeable environment for the two of us.
My little helper takes great joy in pushing the swinging door open, tearing his hand from mine to stand with his tiny body braced against it.
"A gentleman holds the door for his lady." he says seriously. I smile so wide it hurts and give a little laugh. He is just so cute.
"A gentleman indeed." I say, then, I lead him to the sink.
"Before you ever cook anything, you have to wash your hands really good okay?" He nods, I lift him up so he can reach and we both fluff up soap into a bubbly mess, laughing as we wash it away. I dry my hands on my apron and he follows suit with a crooked smile that is almost mischievous.
"Usually I don't allow anyone to sit on my counter, it's suppose to be very clean. But I like you kid, so I'll let it slide." He puffs his chest with pride as I set him on the counter. His head swivels around taking in the backroom. The two large metal doors that lead to a walking in cooler and freezer. The two industrial sized ovens, and an assortment of pans stacked on shelves. His gaze turns down to the empty pie dish I'd just lined.
"What are we making?" He asks his nose slightly wrinkled as he stares at the pie dish.
"Why don't you guess?" I tease strolling toward the cooler. I hear the tap of his feet as he jumps down from the counter to follow, before I can turn, his hand encases itself firmly in mine.
"Where are we going?" he asks, I open the door and gesture inside.
"This is the walk-in cooler, it's like a fridge but it's very big." I say. He giggles as we enter.
"Big enough to walk in!" He exclaims. "It's cold in here." He states, I nod and take the prepped bowl of chocolate filling off the shelf just above his head.
"Here can you carry this?" He nods and takes the bowl in both hands, his face is leveled with concentration as he totes it back to the counter. He brandishes it with a large grin once we make it. He's turning out to be quite a good helper.
I take the bowl from his waiting hands and place it on the counter and then lift him with a swing that makes him giggle.
"That was fun," he says kicking his legs.
"Yeah yeah, so what did you guess? What are we making?"
His mouth and nose pucker up again in concentration, he makes a small 'hmm' noise.
"Pie?"
I grin and nod.
"We're making chocolate peanut butter pie." I say, he licks his lips.
"I love peanut butter, and chocolate, can I have some?" he begs with green eyes big and pleading, that adorable little lip quivers and I know I can never say no to him. With a small spoon I scoop a small amount of the chocolate batter and hold it out to taste, he chomps down on it, and licks his lips showing his appreciation.
"That so good. Daddy would like that." he says firmly with a sure nod.
"We'll have to make sure to give some to Daddy then." I say with a laugh, it's cut off suddenly when a deep voice interrupts.
"Give Daddy what?" The voice is light melted butterscotch, smooth and rich, and slightly teasing. I gasp and whirl around in alarm.
Jesus.
H.
Christ.
This man is definitely the father of the small boy resting on my counter. He's tall and lean, but athletically built beneath his well fitted suit jacket. He's gifted his son his coppery locks which are just as bright and wayward on him. Their eyes are the same and yet different, this man's darker with maturity, and currently trained on me.
I'm drawn out of my ogling by a small voice.
"Daddy. You scared her." The little boy says patronizingly, he hops off the counter grabbing the spoon I hadn't even realized I'd dropped.
"Here you go." He says holding it out for me, my eyes drift from his father to him. He's beaming up at me, offering me the spoon with such sincerity.
"Thanks sweetie." I say, he just gives me that crooked grin. The same crooked grin that is now resting on his father's face. His father's very handsome face. He's got the same crooked grin, except it's all matured and sexy, especially when paired with those dizzying green eyes, and wild copper locks. I try not to stare too long.
"Daddy, she's letting me help make a pie!" The boy says grabbing a hold of his hand and pulling him closer.
"Is that right?" He asks with a grin and an arched brow. I blush and shrug.
"He's a good helper." I offer softly, he pats his son on the back.
"That's my boy, helping out a beautiful woman." I blush bright red, while his son grins proudly. Awkwardly I clear my throat and turn back to the pie.
"Right well, do you want to help me pour this?" I ask. My heart is beating wildly and I can feel the heat radiating off my face.
"Yes." they both answer at the same time. Once again the little boy, whose name I should learn, is on the counter while his dad watches over my shoulder.
"Okay, I'll hold the bowl because it's kind of heavy, you can spoon it out." I hand him a wooden spoon and hold the bowl over the crust. He tentatively uses the spoon to push the filling into the crust, doing it with a puckered brow in frustration, it's decidedly adorable. Distractedly, the bowl shifts in my hands, I scramble to right it before it ends up all over the floor.
"Maybe this bowl is a little too heavy." I tease, hoping to hide the distraction this beautiful father son duo cause.
"Allow me." A low voice says into my ear. A very large warm body is pressed into my back, and two arms lace around my sides, gripping my hands. Oh my… Suddenly my body is charged, and I'm aware that the low back and thin straps of my sundress leave ample opportunities for contact. His hands sizzle with dizzying electricity over mine, his minty breath tickles my ear and neck, and the soft material of his suit leaves goosebumps on my back and shoulders.
I'm glad he's holding the bowl because I'm sure I would have dropped it. His son continues to spoon the filling diligently, unaware of how his father is affecting me, I shift my stance awkwardly. He's so close, and so distracting.
"Finished!" My sweet helper cheers giving me a large proud grin. I move to set the bowl aside conscious of the fact that the body wrapped around mine is still touching me, holding me. I take the wooden spoon still coated in chocolate and offer it to my tiny helper. I'm not sure if I'm relieved that his Dad takes a step back, or if I want it to continue.
"Mmmm" he says around the spoon, "Taste it Daddy!" He chirsps, his father bends down and licks the spoon, his dark eyes on me.
"Delicious." he says in low voice, I bite my lip and look away.
"So we've got the chocolate, now we need the peanut butter." I go to the fridge and pull out another covered bowl, this one with a creamy peanut butter filling.
"That's the walk-in fridge, I got to go in, it's huge!" His sweet voice narrates as I stroll in and out.
I pull out a new spoon and a rubber spatula then spoon out a few scoops. I hand the rubber spatula to my little helper. His little brows pucker as he looks at it in curiosity.
"Can you smooth that out for me please?" I ask, his lips purse up again in a way that tells me he has no idea what to do.
"Here." I say, my hand resting on his, I guide his for a few strokes to show him how to spread the peanut butter.
"Think you can do that on your own?" He nods excitedly and sets to smoothing the peanut butter. I go to the the other side of the counter where my dough is waiting. I knead it a few times, working it together and preparing it to roll. A hot tingle makes me look up and I find piercing dark green eyes, I flush brightly and look back down at my work. Thoroughly kneaded I pull out my rolling pin and roll the dough flat, aware that my every move is being analyzed by this handsome stranger. It makes my skin tingle.
"That's a good job." I praise when I finish rolling, my little helper giggles and dips a finger into the peanut butter, humming in pleasure.
"You keep your little fingers out of my pies mister." I say with a mock glare. He looks away chastised and I hide my smile.
"What about me? Can I put my fingers in your pie?" It's asked innocently enough, but in that deep voice, tinged with something decidedly not innocent, I fumble with the dough and choke, my eyes going wide. His voice is dark and alluring and I'm so desperately tempted.
"Uh... you-you haven't washed your hands." He smiles, and I'm almost positive he's aware of what he's doing to me. With a glance, I notice he's smirking, yep definitely aware.
I lay the dough over the pie and cut the excess.
"Now we just pinch the sides, and seal it up." I instruct, finding it easier to interact with this sweet boy than his very tempting father. Small fingers follow mine around the pie and pinch it closed. I take the pie and place it in the oven, bending low to check the temperature and making sure the rack is in its proper place. I set a timer and turn to find them both watching me. One, not so innocently.
"Lets go get some treats." I say leading them back to the front. Small hands and a tiny freckled nose find their way to the glass display again.
"I have a slice of the pie you just made." I say pointing to the lone slice. He nods pointing excitedly.
"I want that." He demands and I nod along.
"No problem, cutie." I smile and look up, dark eyes stare intensely back, my only reaction is a slight gulp.
"The apple pie- it's my favorite." I bite my lip and nod, apple happens to be my favorite kind of pie as well.
"Will you be eating here or to go?" I say grabbing hold of my pie spatula, ready to dish their pies up.
"Here!" the small boy cheers. I smile and place the pies on their own small porcelain plate, then come around the counter and hand them their treats.
They sit and eat their pie, I look outside taking a moment to enjoy the way the sun lights up the horizon making Chicago's skyline magical. It's almost time to close.
While they eat and offer compliment after compliment. I begin to close up, stacking chairs on tables, and sweeping the floor. Dark eyes never leave me, and I feel that delicious twinkle of heat with every movement.
"Bella's Bites." He says conversationally. I nod with a short little grin.
"I assume you're Bella?" he asks, again all I can do is nod, my cheeks rapidly pinkening.
"Edward Masen." He says holding out a hand, I reach out and shake it tentatively, his hand is strong and large, and so very warm.
"It's a pleasure to meet you." I say with a smile. He smiles back, all crooked with those damned bright green eyes.
"I'm Anthony." My little helper says. "I'm 5." He states. I smile and shake his small chocolate covered hand.
"Nice to meet you Anthony, I'm Bella." I say, then I use the corner of my apron to wipe at his face. He huffs and puffs as any 5 year old does, but giggles the whole time because he secretly enjoys it, that and I make silly voices as I scrub his face.
"There, nice and clean." I say, he just beams up at me. Behind me the timer dings and I take off to the back, and pull out the pie. I turn off the oven, and place the pie in the holding oven until morning. I come back out to find Edward pulling out his wallet at the register.
I don't know if it's because Anthony warms my heart, or it's the end of the day, or because Edward makes butterfly appear in my belly, but I shake my head.
"No charge." I say, he frowns and looks to the sign displaying my prices.
"I owe you, the pie was delicious, the best I've ever had, I can't let that go unpaid." I shake my head and flush.
"You helped me, I've been short staffed and the company is nice. I insist." He leans forward, and gets within inches of my face, making me hot and twitchy. I struggle to maintain eye contact and bite my lip to keep from voicing any of my thoughts on asking him to kiss me, or worst, acting on the urge.
"I can't have you giving me free pie, what kind of business model is that?" I shrug, and try to hold my resolve. I want to bend to his will. I want to kiss him.
"I'm very short-staffed, the bakery is making plenty of money, and I get to decide who I give my pie to." I place my hand over his, and make to shove it back, it doesn't budge, he's strong and that thought has be thinking all kinds of things about his arms and hands. He places a kiss on the back of my hand making me flush.
"My sweet, sweet Bell." he says, then he very determinedly takes a fifty from his wallet and places it in the tip jar on the counter. I flush bright red and glare.
"You are very stubborn Edward," I say, he only smirks. I want the wipe that smug smirk right off his face. He wears adorable and handsome well, but smug fits like a glove, too comfortably for my taste.
"You have no idea," he answers.
Anthony comes running around the counter and hugs me tightly around the legs.
"Thanks Bella! It was soo good, and I liked making it, I wanna do it again!" he says excitedly nuzzling into my apron. I bend down and hug him properly, his little face rests in the crook of my shoulder, and his hands bunch up in my ponytail.
"Of course Anthony, I loved having you here, you come back anytime okay, I could really use the help."
It wasn't a lie. Lauren had recently quit, and Jessica followed suit, those two tended to be very dependent on the other for decisions. Hell I don't know how often one would ask the other for advice about the most trivial of things. 'Lauren should I call him back? I want to but I need your opinion. What did you think of him?' With them gone it was only myself and Angela to run the store, and I did most of the baking, so I'd been pulling all-day shifts for a couple of weeks.
"Okay! Daddy I want to come back." Anthony demands.
"We will." Edward says sending me a wink. I flush and rise.
"Alright, you two have a good night, I need to close up shop." Shelly and I both closed up at 6pm, I found that I wasted too much money on costs staying open any later as not a lot of people came that late.
Edward grabs my hand and pulls me close.
"Have dinner with me beautiful." I frown and look at Anthony who's waiting by the door with a grin. Edward is smiling that smug grin, the one that says he already knows I'm going to say yes and fall into his arms. I would have, if not for sheer stubbornness, and possibly stupidity. I shake my head with a soft smile.
"I'm sorry Edward but I'm very busy with the shop right now." And it's not just an excuse, it's true. Edward gazes down at me incredulously, unaccustomed to being told no.
"Any night, any day, any time." He states opening the schedule. I shrug and look around the shop.
"This place requires my constant attention right now. I'm sorry Edward, thank you for the offer." Edward frowns and releases me going to take his son by hand.
"When you're free then." Edward says. "Until next time beautiful." he says.
"Bye Bella." Anthony says, walking hand in hand with his father out the door.
I smile widely and wave, my face is flushed and my heart is beating wildly. At least you stuck to your guns Bella, I think to myself. No matter how tempting.
New and improved, not a lot changed, mostly some grammar and transitions.
Let me know your thoughts.