The Immortal and the Baker
David Rossi stood patiently in line at his usual place for coffee or at least it was his usual in the last week. It was an independent place named, Jazz's Stupendous Delights and the tagline was you'll never want to go anywhere else once you taste the delights within. The taste is simply magical.
The first time Dave had seen the name of the place he had had snorted at the owner's ego, but then, he had gotten himself a cup of coffee and some kind of almond chocolate cookie and found that they were both indeed more than delicious, so maybe the name was accurate after all and not just the owner's ego at work. He'd been coming back for the last week, which was when he had discovered this place. He had just been passing through this small charming town, when he had stopped for coffee and immediately been struck as if by lightning, when he saw the beautiful woman manning the register with obvious skill. She was gorgeous with long mocha hair, that went past her shoulders and amazing gray eyes, that changed with her emotions. When she was annoyed they darkened and started to look like an approaching storm. When she was happy they lightened and nearly sparkled with her emotions. He had only seen her annoyed once and that was when a guy had walked in. The guy was handsome Dave supposed, but it was clear that he and his mate had a history. The woman's gaze had warned the guy that he better keep his mouth shut, even though she'd said nothing. She hadn't needed to as her gaze alone warned of severe consequences if he dared open his mouth.
As for the coffee it really was the best he'd ever had and he wasn't sure what made it so different. For one thing, he got plain black every time and it was always perfect with just the right amount of that rich coffee taste. It was never bitter or terrible. As for the cookie it had indeed been excellent, with just the right amount of chocolate, nuts and almond taste. There was always a line that nearly went to the door, which just proved how popular the place was. Anybody who could do coffee like this, not to mention all the delicious desserts on display was somebody he wanted to get to know better, even if the owner wasn't his mate.
That was exactly what he had been doing actually, he had been subtly flirting with the woman behind the counter for a week, as she owned the joint. This was hardly a hardship as she was beautiful, with skin that had an olive tint and was smooth, so it was clear that she was taking care of it. She looked like her heritage had some Mediterranean in it or possibly Chinese. Chinese though didn't usually have gray eyes, as their's were usually dark brown, though occasionally other colors would show up, if one parent was something other than pure Chinese.
All he really knew about her was that her name was Jazzlyn, but she went by Jazz, no last name. It was clear that Jazzlyn was cautious about dating just anyone and that wasn't necessarily a bad thing. He could appreciate her cautiousness though, as there were a lot of bozos out there that could hurt her, both physically and emotionally. It was possible she'd had a bad breakup just recently and so had sworn off men for the foreseeable future. If that was the case he couldn't really blame her, even if it was inconvenient.
The thing that gave him hope was that Jazz was starting to respond to his flirting. Hopefully, she would agree to go out on a date with him soon.
"So what about lunch?" Dave suggested to Jazz when all the customers for the moment had been seen too.
Dave had been asking her every day ever since he had discovered this charming coffee shop, but always backed off when she said no. He always did it when that guy that annoyed her wasn't here, as he suspected that Jazz's annoyance had to do with the fact that the guy had a huge crush and had likely been pestering her, being persistent in asking her out. Of course, this was just to guess on Dave part, but he had seen such things multiple times over the decades, so he recognized the signs by now.
"I can't do lunch, we're to busy then. People come in for their snacks around then and I don't want to leave the staff to deal with the influx of customers."
"Dinner?" Dave suggested
"I don't know," Jazz said uncertainly. "I gave up dating awhile ago. Men are just so much trouble."
"Men can be pigs. One date," Dave suggested. "If you don't enjoy yourself I won't ask you again." Not! She was his soulmate after all, even if she didn't know it yet.
Jazz considered Dave's words for a moment then nodded. "One date," Jazzlyn verbally agreed.
"What about tonight after you get off?" Dave suggested, as calmly as possible, not showing how excited he was that Jazz had agreed to go out with him. It'd taken him over a week to breakdown her reluctance, that wasn't long at all really, as he was well aware that it could've taken months. She must really like him even if she wouldn't admit it
"Alright," Jazz said just a little shyly. "Nothing fancy at least for the first date. Not that there are really any fancy places to go to in this town."
"It will be entirely casual," Dave promised.
"I get off at four, but I'll need time to go home take a shower and get myself ready," Jazz said.
"I'll pick you up at six then," Dave suggested and Jazz nodded. "That will give you plenty of time to get ready."
"Sounds good," Jazz agreed giving Dave her address.
"I'll see you at six," Dave said smiling before taking his leave.
"See you then," Jazz said smiling herself.
~~~Dave and Jazzlyn~~~
Dave arrived promptly at six, as he wasn't about to be late on his first date with the woman he liked more than a little and for obvious reasons. He had been attracted to Jazz from the first moment he had seen her behind the counter of her shop and he wasn't about to give her the impression that he didn't know how to be on time.
He knocked on the door to her apartment holding flowers, not roses this time, as that would've given his date the wrong impression. No, he was carrying marigolds and carnations.
When the door opened after a minute Dave said, "Good evening, beautiful."
Jazz blushed at being called beautiful, but took the flowers that were offered.
His date didn't understand her own appeal Dave thought to himself. Jazzlyn was a very gorgeous woman. In fact, she was nearly as tall as he was and he liked that a lot. Dave suspected that some man, maybe even several of them had hurt her deeply at some point. She had sworn off men after all, which told Dave she'd had at least one bad experience.
"Thank you for the beautiful flowers," Jazz said.
"You are quite welcome," Dave said told her sincerely smiling. "Beautiful flowers for a gorgeous woman."
Jazz blushed again. Dave sure did have a way with words, but it was clear he also meant them it wasn't just one of those compliments that automatically left a man lips whenever they complimented a beautiful woman.
"Just let me go put them in water and then we can get going," Jazz said, as she headed towards what Dave assumed was the kitchen area.
Dave stepped into her apartment and looked around, seeing that it was nicely decorated. The furniture wasn't fancy but looked comfortable, the walls were painted a light blue, which was probably Jazz's favorite color. The color also gave the impression that the living area was more lighted than it really was, as there was only one lamp on over by the couch, as well as the overhead lights in the ceiling.
Jazz came back from putting the flowers in water and then went into the bedroom, Dave assumed to get a coat as it was chilly out. His date was dressed casually in formfitting jeans and a blouse with long sleeves, which wouldn't help ward off the cold as the material was too thin.
"I'm ready to go," Jazz told Dave, as she came out of the bedroom, putting on her jacket as she walked. "So where are we going?" Jazz asked and Dave told her.
"That's a good choice," Jazz said. "I've been there before, but not in several months. On the other hand, it's not like there's much choice here in town when it comes to eating places. We'd have to go elsewhere for more choices, even if that's only the next town over."
"So go to this place I'm taking you with an ex-boyfriend?" Dave inquired feeling a surge of jealousy, even as he fought to control the tone of his voice.
"No, with my best girlfriends," Jazz explained not seeming to notice Dave's jealousy. "We try to get together every few weeks at least, but that's not always possible."
"Different schedules," Dave suggested more calmly and Jazz nodded.
"I work long hours. I am at the bakery really early, so I can get started baking all the treats that we sale. By the time I get off I'm usually so tired that I don't want to do anything except go home and stay in. My friends have their own jobs and our schedules don't always coincide. Owning your own business isn't like most other jobs. It's not like I work 9 to 5 like most people."
"You should hire someone to help if you haven't already," Dave suggested.
"Oh, I have," Jazz said. "But still, I like to be there. I do take days off occasionally though. We are closed on Sunday for instance. It's my one regular day off."
"Well, there's nothing wrong with a strong work ethic," Dave said, as he escorted his date out of her apartment. "In fact, it's very commendable. A lot of people don't know the meaning of hard work and it does take a lot of work to get a business off the ground."
"Well, we've been in business about four years now, so I'll probably start taking some mornings off. There is another baker on staff that is very competent."
"Still, if you love what you do then you don't mind the work," Dave said.
"I totally agree," Jazz said. "I don't see the point of owning your own business if you don't enjoy doing whatever it is."
"So how did you get into baking?" Dave asked.
"As for how I got into baking I was 13. I helped my mother in the kitchen long before that of course, but that was when I decided I wanted to own my own bakery someday," Jazz said. "I had this neighbor who liked to bake desserts, which she often gave to homeless shelters or her neighbors. Mrs. Anna was really good at what she did. She was a kind woman and she taught me many things and so did my mother who is a good baker as well. Mrs. Anna taught me how to bake any number of things and I've experimented and come up with a few creations of my own."
"Well, your place is really popular and that that's a good thing," Dave said. "It means you won't go out of business anytime soon because you can't meet your overhead."
"Yeah and my bakery is getting more popular all the time," Jazz said falling silent as they arrived at the restaurant Dave had chosen. Jazz was actually glad it was someplace she came with her friends fairly regularly when she wasn't too busy, as she knew she be much more comfortable here at least until she got to know Dave better.
Dave opened the door for her once he parked and Jazz got out, accepting Dave's hand to help her emerge from the passenger seat.
Jazz had been waffling on whether or not to go out on a date with David Rossi. He had been flirting with her for a week, but never in a sleazy or demanding way. He made it clear that he was interested, but that he wasn't going to be demanding. It was one thing that had made Jazz finally say yes, to his offer of taking her on a date. Dave wasn't like most men she knew. Most men had the manners of pigs. Oh, they might be handsome, but that was basically all they had going for them. Some men were so oily that they should leave a trail of slime behind them, as they walked. She thought however, that Dave was going to be very different and that could only be a good thing. Dave escorted her like a gentleman into the restaurant and Jazzlyn was impressed with his manners despite herself, as he treated her with deference and respect unlike most men she had dated.
~~~Dave and Jazzlyn~~~
"Hi honey," Jazz greeted Dave as soon as she answered her phone. "I was just getting ready to head in and open the bakery."
"Hi sweetie," Dave greeted his girlfriend. "Yes, I know, what time you leave for work, so I was calling to ask if you wanted to go on a date after your shift."
"Sure, that sounds good," Jazz agreed.
She had lost her distrust of Dave over the last few weeks. Dave was a genuine gentleman and would never force her into doing something she didn't want to. That didn't mean he wouldn't encourage her to get out of her comfort zone, but would back off when he realized that she was deeply uncomfortable. They had gotten quite close over the last few weeks and Jazz had to admit she knew she was falling in love. She had realized quite quickly that Dave was the one for her, her soulmate, the one that would complete her. She wasn't about to admit it yet though, as it was much too soon. Still, Dave was quickly breaking down the barriers that she had erected to protect her heart. Dave was so different from her last boyfriend that it was nearly surreal. Jay had been a controlling asshole of the highest order, which was why she had gotten out of that relationship as quickly as possible once she had realized what he was really like. Jay had tried his best to change her mind, waylaid her several times when she had been out on campus, as this had been back when she was in college. Finally, she'd had to use magic on him to make him forget her. It hadn't been exactly ethical to use magic that way, but it was the only way to get rid of him, before he put her in the hospital. She didn't even feel guilty about doing it or at least not very much. It had been for her own safety and peace of mind. She had come to realize very shortly that he was the type that would do nearly anything to get back at a girlfriend he wasn't ready to dump yet, including beating her up and putting her in the hospital when he couldn't convince her to change her mind. She hadn't even looked at a man since, not until Dave.
Neither one of them had admitted they loved each other yet, but that would be coming Jazz thought and maybe soon. She was both anticipating and terrified of the future moment at the same time. She had never felt like this for any other man, she had never felt like this for anyone.
When that happened Jazz knew that whatever remained of the barriers protecting her heart from being broken would be gone for good and that scared her to the bone. Her feelings for Dave were way too intense already, much more intense than she felt they should be when they'd only been dating such a short time. Dave was her soulmate though so that probably explained her intense feelings. She was a witch, something she hadn't told Dave yet, as most humans didn't know her kind existed. The point was that every witch had someone for them, someone that would complete them and support them in every way. The problem however, was finding them. The world was a big place after all.
She wasn't entirely sure how Dave would react when he learned about her heritage. Some humans didn't react well to the knowledge and had to be mind wiped, so they couldn't spill the knowledge that magic was real. There were a few humans who weren't related to a magical that knew the secret but they were few and far between. She only hoped that Dave accepted her for what she was or that would be the end of their relationship, as she wasn't about to marry anyone that didn't accept that she was a witch. That was one thing that terrified her most, explaining in about how heritage, but it had to be done before they made it permanent, if they got that far. Of course, if he was her mate he would accept her being a witch, as that was one of the indications that he was 'the one.'
Jazz had never expected to meet her match in her own place of business. She had figured that she would never find the one meant for her, as many magicals didn't after all. Sure, they married, but not necessarily their soulmate. There were some of the magical communities though, that were really lucky and found the ones meant for them. She supposed she should now include herself in that or at least that's what she believed.
"Good, I'll be in to the bakery later to pick up my usual order and then after you finish your shift I'll pick you up at your place at 6 o'clock," Dave said.
"Sounds good," Jazz agreed with a smile in her voice. "I'll see you around 11. I'll have your usual order ready. I really have to go though, I have a lot to do."
"Of course sweetie, I'll see you in a few hours," Dave agreed calmly, as he said goodbye and hung up the phone.
Dave set his alarm for a couple of hours and then drifted off to sleep again, as it was only 5 o'clock in the morning. Apparently, a baker's day started really early, something he had known, but had never really thought about. Most people didn't he knew. Still, if you loved what you did it was a joy instead of work and he knew that Jazz loved baking so didn't mind the early hours too much.
Dave drifted off again with a smile on his face looking forward to seeing the woman he had fallen in love with the minute he set eyes on her in a few hours.
~~~Dave and Jazzlyn~~~