Bellamy stuffed his hands in his pockets and looked around as several booths finished setting up. He inhaled at some new scents and trailed towards them, glancing at the half-put together booth. He rolled his eyes at the baker girl trying to hang up the sign and watched her stand on the stool, trying to hammer the sign up.
He lightly smirked as her stool shifted and stepped closer, holding his arms out as she fell back with a loud squeal. He snickered softly as she squeezed her eyes close and she peeked up, flushing and scrambling to stand up. He set her down and grinned widely at her as she tugged her clothes into place.
She huffed at him and grabbed the fallen stool, standing it up. "What are you doing here?"
He grinned and crossed his arms. "Just checking things out, got a couple things drying so I'm free for the rest of the day. Thought I'd see how the booths are coming along while I was out."
She rolled her eyes and set the hammer and nails into the pocket of her waist apron. "Well, it's coming along just fine thank you very much for asking. Now, shoo, my dumbass coworkers don't know how to do anything other than bake so I'm stuck doing this."
He rolled his eyes as she moved to climb onto the stool and grabbed her waist, setting her aside. "Give me the shit, I can do it before you fall and break your damned leg."
She huffed and crossed her arms. "I can do it just fine and stop manhandling me!"
He shook his head and held out his hand. "Give me the hammer and some nails, I can hang up your sign."
She glared at him and lightly stomped her foot before handing him the hammer and a couple nails. He set the hammer in his pocket and patted her head before turning to the booth. He nudged the stool aside and grabbed a corner of the sign, hammering it into place.
She snagged the stool and moved it around to the opposite side, glancing up at him and flushing as she realized he was wearing a tight blue shirt with part of his tattoo peeking out. She shuffled her feet and ducked down, double checking the disposable plates and napkins for tomorrow.
Bellamy glanced down at her and lightly smirked at the pink on her cheeks. "So, got any plans for tomorrow?"
Alice glanced up at him and shook her head. "Just working the booth. Why do you ask?"
He shrugged and moved over to fix the other corner she had poorly hung up. "Just wonderin'. Can't a guy make conversation?"
She smiled slightly, leaning back to sit on the stool. "Well, I guess he can. How come I've never seen you around before?"
He double checked the nails and set the hammer and remaining nails on the booth once he was sure they'd hold up. "Haven't been here all that long and never cared for joining the festival. Figured I'd try something new this year."
She hummed and nodded slowly. "Ah, makes sense. I grew up on Baked Good's Island and took after my dad. Mom died during childbirth, but shit happens."
He raised an eyebrow and rested his cheek in his hand. "So it's just you and your dad now? Never remarried?"
She shook her head, her short blond curls bouncing slightly. "Nope, he died when I was about twelve. My aunt took me in and helped me restore the family bakery back to it's glory when I was old enough. After mom died, dad didn't care what happened to it too much and just focused on raising me."
He nodded slowly, staring at her. "So, this is your bakery now huh?"
She smiled and nodded, turning to look back at it. "Yeah, this is all mine. This is the first time I've gotten to set up my own booth though. Thanks for the sign, Bellamy."
He waved his hand, straightening up. "No problem. See you around, shortcake."
She softly huffed and turned to face him, yelling, "It's Alice!"
He laughed as he walked off and grinned widely, calling, "Whatever you say shortcake!"
She stomped her foot and huffed, storming inside the bakery as her cheeks flushed red.