Walking swiftly down the pavement, my high heels clacked with each step. I ran my hand through my hair while thinking of the long list on my phone. In aggravation, I audibly grumbled to myself. Being the new person at work sucked. Essentially, it meant I was the errand girl until another poor soul came along. After six months without a new hire, it appeared I was going to be stuck completing random chores for a while.

All in all, I couldn't complain that much. I lucked out by getting my dream job as one of the local news station's weather forecasters. Whenever I was at work, I was in my element and loved every minute. However, whenever I was fulfilling errands, I loathed every second.

Today's mini mission was to purchase sweets for the annual Valentine's Day dinner. Initially, I was shocked the company would host the event considering most people like to spend the holiday with their significant others. I personally wanted to go straight home after work to unwind. Although, I didn't have a boyfriend as an excuse to avoid the dinner.

I recalled the events of the morning. "Just go to Big Mom's Sweets – they have everything, Nami!" my ancient boss Haredas told me. Before leaving the office, everyone bombarded me with dessert requests. Lemon scones, chocolate pralines, and macarons were just a few of the cravings. The whole crew was bound to fall into a sugar coma.

As I rounded the corner, I sighed in relief at finding the bakery so easily. A sign reading Big Mom's Sweets was etched in swirly pink letters atop the brick building. A tiny bell dinged as I walked into the shop. There were fewer customers than I expected despite it being Valentine's Day. No one was currently looking at the food cases but a couple of people sat at tables enjoying their baked goods. A lone girl stood up after placing some doughnuts inside the glass display.

"It's about time you came back," the girl whose name tag said Pudding grumbled at a blonde man who was coming from the rear of the shop. The man started to put on his black apron and didn't acknowledge her. At being ignored, Pudding crossed her arms with such force her brown hair bounced in their pigtails. She shot daggers at him and complained, "Exactly how many smoke breaks are you going to take today?" The man mumbled under his breath and Pudding huffed.

I tried my best to politely overlook the interaction but felt a small smile tug at the corners of my lips. Their banter reminded me of my own with my coworker Ussop. He was one of newscasters and I always scolded him whenever he started to exaggerate event stories.

Still not looking at her, the blonde man said in a smooth voice, "That wasn't a smoke break. I was bringing in a sugar delivery."

Turning from him, Pudding rolled her eyes in annoyance but then froze when she saw me standing there. Immediately, a fake grin spread across her face and she spoke in her best customer service voice, "Welcome to Big Mom's Bakery! Is there anything I can help you with?"

I quickly glanced around at the desserts in the display box before looking back at the girl. Since I was attending the Valentine's Day dinner, I wanted to make sure I got a sweet for myself too. I smiled curtly, "In a moment, I'll definitely need some help. I'd like to browse first though."

Pudding blinked, clearly not expecting me to say I would need help. However, she swiftly plastered on the same fake grin, "I highly recommend the chocolate truffles! Made them myself this morning."

I nodded, "Thanks, I'll keep that in mind."

Pudding stared at me for a moment before her eyebrows furrowed, "Hey, wait a minute…." I looked at her expectantly and she pointed a finger at me. "You're that weathergirl from the evening news! Channel number 7!"

My cheeks became light pink and I put some of my orange hair behind my ear. I gave a sheepish grin and shrugged, "Yeah, that's me." It didn't happen a lot but it was still weird whenever someone in town recognized me from television. I knew it was a part of the job yet it embarrassed me each time.

"I thought so!" the short girl said looking smug. "I kind of doubted myself at first because you actually look a little thinner in person. Your hair gave it away though."

I couldn't control my stunned expression at the back-handed compliment. Well, isn't she lovely? I thought. Choosing to be the bigger person and bite my tongue, I strolled down the sweets display. Apparently Pudding had lost interest in me because she decided to play on her phone by the cash register. Sighing, I pulled out my own phone and lightly tapped my foot on the tile flooring. There was an empty spot in place of the red velvet cookies meteorologist Bepo requested. Just as I was about to text him for an alternate dessert, I felt like someone was watching at me.

Looking up at Pudding, I found the girl was still glued to the tiny screen in her hands. I shook my head feeling silly. Only the nagging sensation of being watched didn't go away. I observed the entrance to the rear of the bakery. My gaze met the blonde man's own orbs. He smiled lazily as he walked toward me. Oh he's cute, I thought getting a good look at his face for the first time. His shaggy hair hid one of his eyes but he had a neat goatee. I shifted under his stare as he openly checked me out.

"You manage to look even more beautiful in person," he suavely said stopping in front of me. I blushed and briefly looked down feeling a little bashful at the compliment.

Pudding mocked after giving a snort, "Oh please, you Romeo wannabe." She all but pushed him out of the way as she ran a white cloth on top of the glass display.

Once more, he acted as if he didn't even notice his coworker. He stepped closer to the sweets case as Pudding moved. He grinned and re-tightened the apron behind him. I tried not to stare at the way his bicep muscles flexed under his white button-up. He then made sure his rolled up sleeves were in place while saying, "I'm Sanji."

I grinned in response and started to introduce myself, "I'm –"

"Nami," he said unison with me. I paused before giving a small chuckle. It was strange that people who I didn't know even existed already knew my name. "Well Nami," he began with a grin, "what brings you to the bakery today?"

I instantly felt more comfortable having Sanji help me rather than Pudding. I exhaled, "Unfortunately last minute work errands. But I'd also like to get something for myself while I'm here."

"What are you into?" he asked. I raised my eyebrow not knowing if he was referencing desserts or hinting at something else entirely. Get your mind out of the gutter, I chastised myself internally. While I hesitated, he smirked as if he were reading my thoughts.

"I like oranges," I offered with a shrug.

Sanji nodded, "We have some fresh orange bars that'll melt in your mouth."

"Not organette, right?" I asked with a hint of apprehension. "I don't like any of the fake stuff."

He mocked hurt and placed a hand over his heart, "I would never disgrace the kitchen with that abomination." I laughed at his dramatization and he smiled. He prompted, "What else are you looking for?"

"Well," I began, "it's kind of a big order." Reading down the list from my phone, I rambled off eight baked goods requested by my coworkers. "And I'll need a half dozen of each," I said with an apologetic smile.

Sanji pursed his lips before saying, "Surely you don't plan on carrying all these sweets back to the news station by yourself?"

I shook my head and laughed lightly, "No way. My car is parked around the corner."

He nodded and stated rather than asked, "I can help you take everything to your car."

"I'd hate to be a nuisance," I commented. I really didn't want drag him away from the shop and potentially cause him problems from management.

Sanji quickly countered with a somewhat firm expression, "A lovely lady is never a nuisance. Really, I insist."

I beamed at him, "I would appreciate that a lot, actually."

Pudding glowered at us and spoke loud enough for the other patrons in the bakery to hear, "Sanji. You know it's against policy to flirt with customers even if you are lonely and don't have a Valentine's Day date."

Sanji sighed at her words and looked away. I frowned at his exasperation before focusing on Pudding. She had the same smug look on her face as earlier. Her sour attitude was really getting on my nerves. I crossed my arms and stated while glaring at her, "You can't control if customers flirt with employees though."

Pudding's mouth opened in astonishment and Sanji snapped his head back toward me. His eyes were wide with surprise before he smirked. I bit my bottom lip attempting to look coy.

"I already have plans with work this evening," I began as a leaned my elbows onto the display Pudding just cleaned. I heard her scoff in irritation. Ignoring her, I looked up through my eyelashes at Sanji and asked, "But how about a day-after Valentine's Day date?"

Sanji laughed in enjoyment while Pudding paled to the side of us. He licked his lower lip and his blue eyes glistened. He placed his hands down on the display and naturally leaned closer. My heart skipped beat at his nearness. He mused aloud, "I find it hard to believe a woman like yourself doesn't have already have a Valentine."

Before I could respond, we were interrupted again. "Sanji!" Pudding screeched forcing him to look at her from the corner of his eye. She seethed, "Just go get some cardboard boxes so this woman can leave." I narrowed my eyes while Sanji rolled his own. "It's rude to hold her up any longer," she added with fake concern.

Disregarding Pudding, he smiled at me and said as if it were his own idea, "I'll box up everything while you check out."

"Thank you," I replied trying not to show my frustration with the brunette girl. As Sanji went to the back of the store, I looked over at the cash register. Pudding was standing beside of it, scowling at me. I didn't back down and glared at her too. I felt a sense of dread realizing I would have to interact with her one-on-one as she rang up the order.

I got my wallet out of my purse before walking over to her. She placed her hands on her hips and practically spat, "He helps carry things for every female customer, ya know. It's nothing special."

Sensing the jealousy in her voice, I hummed and smirked in satisfaction. Her cheeks turned red in what I assumed to be anger. She started to smash buttons on the register with her finger and nearly scratched my hand when I gave her the company credit card.

"Have a good day," Pudding fumed with sarcasm as she essentially threw the credit card back at me. It took everything in me not to actually growl at the girl.

As it turned out, Sanji 'helping me' transport the sweets to my car meant he was going to carry all but two boxes. My eyes widened as I watched him skillfully swoop the packages under both hands. Maybe he does do this a lot, I thought. He even held the shop door open with his foot and wouldn't budge until I walked out first. It was impressive.

Once we were a safe distance from the bakery, I sighed. "So um, about your… pleasant coworker," I remarked in disdain while referencing Pudding.

Sanji gave a quick laugh and shook his head, "You can file a complaint against her if you want. It won't do any good though. She's the owner's daughter."

"How fortunate for her," I grumbled.

He shrugged his shoulders around the purple boxes he was carrying, "She doesn't bite. She's all talk. Continuous and annoying talk I'll admit, but just talk."

I scrunched my eyebrows. I speculated how rude Pudding must be toward him on a daily basis. Granted, Sanji gave the impression he was a flirt. But he seemed too kind for her to be unreasonably ill-mannered. From her reaction to his flirting, I wondered if they once had fling or if he had turned down her advances.

"I hope what I did back there doesn't get you in trouble," I commented nervously. "I honestly didn't mean for it to."

"It's no big deal," Sanji reassured. He then grinned, "My cupcakes are too good. They know they couldn't replace me even if they tried." I giggled at his nonchalant attitude. "Speaking of which, in this top box is one of today's specials – a white chocolate raspberry cupcake."

"But I didn't order that," I replied tilting my head.

He smiled and winked, "I know. It's on the house." I grinned back at him and shook my head while muttering a thanks.

Too soon for my liking, we arrived at my car. After we placed everything in backseat, I turned to him and stated, "I was serious about the date though." He raised his brow and I swallowed before continuing, "Let me give you my number."

I reached into the pocket of my jacket and found a pen. His skin was warm as I grabbed his arm. Just below where the rolled sleeve of his button-up began, I scribbled my cell phone number in blue ink. He smirked while watching me. Finishing, I signed my name with a heart beneath the numbers.

"How about I meet you at the Nasugasira Restaurant at 8pm tomorrow night?" I asked hopefully.

"You deserve a gentleman to pick up and take you there," he countered while staring at the ink on the inside of his forearm.

I quickly waved my hand in front of me, "For tomorrow, it would be easier to meet you after work. Next time, you can pick me up if you really want to."

Sanji smirked and absentmindedly rubbed his facial hair, "So there's already going to be a next time?"

"I think so," I blushed with a small nod.

Sanji hummed and stated, "Next time I'd like to personally cook for you."

I playfully said, "I thought you were a baker, not a cook."

He chuckled and leaned down to whisper as if it were top-secret, "I am a man of many talents." I softly laughed back at him. Sanji smiled and straightened himself. He confirmed, "8pm tomorrow it is." He gently took my hand and placed a chaste kiss on the back of it while looking into my eyes. There was a fluttering in my stomach when his lips touched me. He smiled before leading my hand back down to my side. Letting go, he tilted his head forward slightly in a small bow and spoke, "See you soon, Nami."

I smiled shyly, "I'm looking forward to it, Sanji."

Once in my car, I watched him in the rearview mirror until he walked out of sight around the corner. I smiled as I gripped the steering wheel. I contemplated, Maybe being the errand girl does have its advantages….