Chapter 1

Abigail released a heavy sigh as she stared at the gaping hole in her wall. Besides the fact that it looked terrible to customers, the hole also allowed for an influx of dust, spiders and unpleasant noise. Stephanie's catering business was even louder than before with part of the wall gone and Abigail wasn't sure how much more she could handle. How could Stephanie be so inconsiderate? Abigail was trying to build her business too and the last thing customers want to hear is the humming of tools and kitchen equipment next store.

Shifting her focus away from the wall and back to her flower arrangement, Abigail noticed Stephanie headed right toward the shop. "Perfect." Abigail smiled to herself, "Just the person I wanted to see."

"Oh good, you're here," Stephanie said as she opened the door and quickly made way to where Abigail stood. "So, I just got done talking with Martha and Ben and the wall should be fixed up later this week! Ben has a friend that's going to help him with the wall and Martha said the city will cover the expenses, so we won't have to pay for it."

Abigail smiled cooly, "Good. I'm glad Martha is already aware that I was not going to be paying the repair costs for a wall she decided to demolish."

"I know! I can't believe she just started sledgehammering away, without so much as a word!" Stephanie set her purse on the table and went to inspect the hole in the wall, "What are we going to do about this room? Is it yours or mine?"

"Hmm," Abigail tilted her head slightly to the right and inspected the room with Stephanie. "That's a good question. Martha did start the demolition in my Flower Shop, so it's probably mine."

Stephanie glared, "Of course you think it's yours, but this is probably a question for Martha, just to know for sure." Carefully stepping into the room, Stephanie wondered what she could even use the room for. Storage? Some type of waiting area? Maybe an office?

Abigail stepped into the room behind Stephanie and assessed her surroundings. It needed to be completely restored or the wall removed so she could expand her shop. The built-in shelves would be great for an office, but she didn't really need this much extra space. More natural light would be a must as well so the room felt a little less dungeony. It wouldn't be a cheap investment to get the room in good working condition, but it might just be the opportunity she was looking for.

"It'll take some time, but this room could really be an asset to my shop." Abigail smiled as she began envisioning what the room could be used for. "If you can stop your excessive noise next store."

"Abigail, I've told you -ouch!" Stephanie squealed, "Ow, ow, ow, owwww," Stephanie frowned and cradled her right hand.

Abigail came swiftly to her side to inspect the damage, "Here let me see." Taking Stephanie's hand in hers, she inspected her slender, soft, fingers. She had somehow sliced three of her fingers and they were beginning to bleed. "Let's get some better light and my first aid kit, then I can get you patched up. I cut myself on thorns all the time."

"Thank you." Stephanie weakly smiled, still clearly uncomfortable from her cut.

With one hand on Stephanie's warm, curved back and the other cradling her cut hand, Abigail lead her out of the dusty room and to a chair. "What did you cut yourself on anyways?" Abigail asked as she snagged her first aid kit from under the cash register.

"A piece of glass, I was trying to pick it up so someone else didn't hurt themselves, but then it slipped right through my fingers." Stephanie groaned and inspected her fingers, "This hurts way more than it should."

Taking Stephanie's hand in hers, Abigail felt the slightest flutter of heat in her belly. She thought she felt it earlier when she rested her hand on Stephanie's back, but she had just assumed Stephanie was warm to the touch. The coolness of Stephanie's hands proved it wasn't just Stephanie's warmth, but something else.

Abigail went silent and focused as she started gently cleaning Stephanie's fingers, attempting to distract herself from the warm sensation building in her belly. Where is this coming from, Stephanie was her friend and one of her favorite people to challenge and compete with, there's absolutely nothing more to it than that.

Confused by her racing thoughts and the sensations fluttering about her body, Abigail worked quickly to wrap each of Stephanie's fingers in an adhesive bandage and gave her back her hand. "There, all set."

"Thank you so much." Stephanie smiled as she hopped up from the chair and brought Abigail into a hug. Energy surged between them as their bodies came together in an embrace. Abigail took in the scent of sweet oranges and vanilla, something Cassie most likely put together. As Abigail and Stephanie pulled away, a soft lock of Stephanie's hair tickled her cheek.

Abigail tucked Stephanie's blonde hair behind her ear and their eyes locked. Stephanie's lips parted slightly under Abigail's gaze causing Abigail to unknowingly moistened her lips and lean closer into Stephanie. Their lips were just inches away, Abigail could feel the warmth of her breath and wanted to kiss Stephanie more than she ever wanted to kiss anyone. Leaning just a little closer - Cassie. Abigail was broken from her trance and immediately released her hold on Stephanie as Cassie walked through the door.

"Hey Stephanie! I thought I'd find you here." Cassie interrupted.

Abigail didn't know whether to be relieved that Cassie broke her from her mesmerized state or angry. Maybe a little bit of both if she was being honest. She almost tasted Stephanie's sweet lips, or maybe they weren't sweet? She's a baker, of course they're sweet.

"Uh, yeah, here I am." Stephanie seemed shaken, either by Cassie's surprise visit, or their almost kiss.

"I was hoping you could help me with some of the baking this weekend for some guests at Grey House. Usually, I'd ask Grace to do it, but she already has plans." Cassie looked hopeful.

"I could make some time. Why don't we head next store and we can talk about what you need." Stephanie straightened her shirt, avoiding eye contact with both Cassie and Abigail and made for the door.

"We can get together later if I was interrupting anything?" Cassie raised an eyebrow at Abigail.

"No, you weren't interrupting anything. Stephanie was just telling me that Martha is using city money to pay for the wall, so neither of us have to." Abigail stated matter of factly, ignoring the tingling sensations she felt earlier.

Stephanie appeared much more like herself, now that she had some distance from Abigail. "Let's go, Cassie." Stephanie led Cassie towards the door. "Bye Abigail." Stephanie stated with a quick glance.

Cassie turned and gave Abigail a smile before slipping out the door, "See you later?"

"Yes. Bye. See you later." Abigail turned and released a heavy sigh as the door closed behind them. She needed something to distract herself, she didn't like the fluttering she felt before and she needed to be sure it didn't happen again.