Happy Winter Solstice everyone! I decided to give you all a little gift and update today as well! I hope you enjoy it and you have a wonderful day!
Chapter Thirteen
I was running a bit late this morning. The alarm on my phone decided not to go off, or charge at all. I needed a new phone, badly mine is close to biting the dust. Or me throwing it out of the window for not working.
I was late opening the bakery, which wasn't professional at all. And Maggie couldn't open on her own because she can't use the equipment in the kitchen unsupervised yet. And I had prep work I had to get done too.
I got dressed as quickly as I could and pulled my hair up into a ponytail. I fed Cinnamon then ran out the door.
I had ran so fast out of the door, that I lost my footing and slipped down the stairs. I was used to falling, I was a klutz, but falling down fifteen metal steps did not feel good. I hit the ground hard, hissing as all of the skin from my back was now scattered on the steps.
"Bella are you okay?" Maggie said as she raced up to me.
"Yep," I was squeezing my eyes shut to keep the tears in.
"I was just walking around to come and get you, then I heard the thumping. Are you sure you're okay?"
"Yeah, I just ripped all the skin off of my back and my butt. I'll be fine though," I forced myself to chuckle.
Maggie reached down and helped me to my feet, helping me brush off the dirt that was on me.
"I'm so glad no one was around to see that. That's so embarrassing," I said, my face now flushed with embarrassment.
"Except for the camera," Maggie said as she pointed to the little camera pointed down my stairs.
"Oh yeah," I sighed, "Well, I guess I could put it on YouTube. See if I can get famous."
Maggie snorted, "There's a lady waiting outside of the bakery. She said she's been waiting there for a while."
"Okay, I'm coming."
We walked around to the front of the building where a middle aged woman was waiting. She looked irritated and I felt bad because I knew that she had every right to be irritated. I was the one who ran late.
"Hello," I said pleasantly.
"Are you the owner?" She asked.
"I am," I typed in my passcode to the door and opened it, "How can I help you ma'am?"
"I need a birthday cake for my niece," She said.
"Oh okay," I said, "When do you need it by?"
"One o'clock today." She said.
"Ma'am I'm sorry. I do specialty order cakes—," I started.
"Well don't you have just a plain vanilla cakes in the back?"
Behind her the door opened, Edward walked in. I quickly smiled at him then turned my attention back onto the lady.
"I don't keep plain cakes. All of the cakes I bake have to be ordered a few days before they're needed."
She huffed in annoyance, "What about cupcakes?"
"I have a mix of cupcakes waiting to be baked for the front. I can have them ready before one." I said.
"Okay, well that'll be fine I guess," She said, "I need at least thirty cupcakes. They all need to be plain vanilla, but could you decorate them? My niece likes pink and purple. It's supposed to be a princess themed party."
"The cupcakes aren't plain vanilla ma'am. They're specialty flavors."
"What are specialty flavors?"
"Well, one is a vanilla pumpkin, a cinnamon twist, coconut… Just a bunch of different flavors. They're all very good though." I said.
"So, you don't have any plain vanilla cakes around?" She said, her tone getting somewhat higher.
"I'm sorry ma'am."
"And you can't bake any by one o'clock today?"
"I have other orders I have to get done today. The only thing I can do is quickly whip up the already premade cakes or cupcakes. But none of them are plain vanilla. I'm sorry."
"Oh my gosh, that's ridiculous. Isn't there another person who can make a vanilla cake back there? Why don't you keep plain vanilla flavors in the bakery?"
"I just personally don't do that unless it ordered beforehand."
"Well why not? You're losing a ton of business." She said.
"Because most of the time the plain vanilla cakes go bad before anyone buys them." I said.
"How long could it possibly take to make a vanilla cake? It doesn't have to be that big or elaborate. I just want a plain vanilla cake."
"Ma'am I'm sorry, I wish there was something I could do. But I'm booked solid today."
She rolled her eyes, "Are you serious? I have to be across the state by 2:00 today and you just can't squeeze me in?"
"I'm sorry, but I just can't. If you need something really quick, there are grocery stores that sell premade plain vanilla cakes. They'll be just as good."
"A grocery store?" She said, as if I said something offense, "Are you kidding me? I don't want a nasty grocery store cake. This is so ridiculous; how do you expect to get any customers if you can't even make plain vanilla cakes?"
"I can make the cakes ma'am, that's not the issue. I just don't have the time to do it today."
"I have a ton of friends and family missy, all of us are on social media, we will spread the word about your bakery and how unprofessional it is. You really don't want me to do that. I can have your bakery foreclosed on like that," She snapped her fingers.
I opened my mouth to say something, but before I could say anything, Edward beat me to it.
"Excuse me ma'am," he said, looking down at her, "If you're just here to throw a tantrum because you failed to do your part for your niece's party then please move aside. Those of us who actually placed their orders beforehand would like to pick up their stuff."
"Excuse me, but I wasn't speaking to you. I don't give a damn if you have something to pick up, you can wait."
"How about you walk the fuck out of here? Before I make you leave." He told her, his tone deepening. My eyes widened.
"And if you touch me, I'll call the police." She crossed her arms.
"Edward, it's okay—," I started, but Edward had already circled around the lady and stood in front of her.
"I said walk out." He said darkly, taking a step towards her.
She took a step back, "You better back off. I know the police chief."
"Oh you know Ted?" He said, "Yeah, I know him too. In fact I have his cell phone. And if I call him, he'll answer on the first ring. And you really don't want me to get him involved."
Her eyes narrowed, "You don't know him."
"I'll call him right now," He took his cellphone out, "And I'll tell him that there is a belligerent middle aged woman with a shitty knock off purse yelling and threatening Miss Swan here. If he gets here, I can promise you, you won't make it to your niece's birthday. So fuck off."
She stared at him for a few moments then looked at me, "I will be telling everyone I know not to come here. Missy you are about to lose a lot of business." She turned and stormed out.
"Edward, you didn't need to do that. I could have handled it." I said.
"I know you could have but I've dealt with people like her. She wouldn't have left until she bullied you into making her a cake. I figured I'd get rid of her before she started huffing and puffing."
I chuckled, "Well, thanks. But next time please remember I can handle myself. I'm tougher than I look."
"Oh I don't doubt that." He said.
I smiled, "Now, how can I help you?"
"I wanted something sweet but was still considered an appropriate breakfast." He said.
I tapped my chin, "Welp, I have a donut batter ready to be fried and glazed. If you give me like twenty minutes I can have a dozen out."
"Sounds good." He said.
I nodded and walked back into the kitchen, grabbing my apron. The donuts were ready to be tossed in the fryer. I had planned on putting different kinds of frosting on them, but I woke up too late. Tomorrow I'll try it.
I tossed the donuts in, set the timer, then started getting everything else ready. I was hustling to get everything done in a timely manner.
I desperately needed an alarm clock. Or a newer phone. My crappy phone was one that I had since I was twelve. And I knew I was due for an update, but I just haven't gotten around to updating my phone.
That was probably something to look into. I couldn't be late again; it was unprofessional, and it didn't really give me time to prepare everything properly.
When the timer on the fryer buzzed I took the donuts out and placed them on the cooler try. I slowly poured the glaze over the donuts. They looked pretty good. I just wished I had more time to decorate more.
I transferred the donuts onto the large display tray and brought it out to the front.
"They are nice and hot." I said as I slid them into the display case.
"They look delicious." Edward said, "I'll take two of them."
Maggie wrapped the donuts for him while I went into the back and got out the other things I had ready.
"So, Bella," Edward said as I walked back out, "Maggie tells me that you guys are coming up with a new monthly special. Does that mean your one month anniversary is coming up?"
"It is," I smiled, "Next Tuesday will be one month. We're trying to come up with something good."
"Well, congratulations," He said, "Any plans to celebrate?"
I shrugged, "I'll probably just eat some spaghetti or something."
"How about I take you out. To celebrate." He said bluntly.
"Like… a date?" I blushed.
He blushed too, "Um, I mean, well, it doesn't have to be like a… a date. We could go out as, you know, friends."
"I'll have to see Edward," I said, "I'm just really busy… with the bakery and all."
"Of course," He said, "I'll uh see you later."
He walked out of the bakery, rubbing the back of his head. I bit my lip, feeling bad for kind of turning him down, but I didn't know what to say. I was never good under awkward pressure.
"Wow," Maggie said, "That was kind of awkward."
"Oh, god I feel bad," I said, "I didn't mean to sound bitchy or anything, but I hate being caught off guard. And I don't really know him that well."
"That's what dates are for. You get to know him on the date," She said, "Have you ever been on one before?"
I shook my head, "I mean, when I was a lot younger, but I don't think those constitutes as dates. Oh god, I feel so bad." I took off my apron, "I'll be right back, Maggie."