"Hey, Tris." I turn around at the sound of my name, called out by a deep voice.
Tobias stands there, smiling at me. It's early in the morning, we just opened the bakery. But he looks well rested. He's wearing a white shirt today, with dark grey pants. I smile back.
"Hi, Tobias. How are you?" I ask.
"I'm well, Tris. And you?"
"I'm doing just fine. What would you like to have today?" I ask him.
"What would you suggest?" He smiles, looking at me intently for an answer.
"Again? What if you don't like what I pick today?" I raise an eyebrow.
"I'm sure I will. I doubt I wouldn't like anything in here. It's all good." He comments appreciatively.
"Okay." I laugh, thinking about what to recommend him. "How about a vanilla bean scone?"
"Done." He grins. I smile again and serve it to him along with a strong black coffee, which is the only way he likes it, he tells me.
He is the only one here, it being still early. He sits at the same table he sat at yesterday, grabbing today's newspaper from the stand. I let my eyes wander over his body, which is very muscular from what I can tell. He must work out a lot for being so fit, even with eating such sweet treats for breakfast.
I quickly move my eyes away, feeling embarrassed for checking him out. I adjust my dark brown skirt around my waist, not having anything else to do with my hands. My short-sleeved cream coloured top creates a stark contrast against the skirt, but I like it. And I wore my hair down today, only pinning the front few strands back so they don't get in my face.
Tori walks in from the back, bringing freshly baked cookies. I help her arrange them in the display counter, glad to have an actual distraction. I feel eyes on me, so I look up and catch Tobias staring at me. We lock eyes for about five seconds before I turn my attention back to the cookies.
What is it about him that makes me feel so strange? Like I can't focus on anything. And I get this feeling in my stomach, a very weird but good feeling. Is it just because he is so good looking? I doubt it, I have seen plenty of handsome men, and they never made me feel this way.
More customers walk in and I attend to them as Tori brings out few more items to place in the display. The shop gets busier as time goes on, but I manage to get to all customers on my own. I notice that Tobias is still here, having long finished his food, he's just sitting and staring out the window, watching the traffic go by. Maybe his work doesn't start until later.
He catches my eyes a few times, smiling at me from across the room. I smile back, blushing slightly. I need to get myself under control. I can't get distracted by his mysterious blue eyes, even though I want to get lost in them.
After I serve a group of friends some cinnamon rolls and croissants, I see Tobias coming up to me. He again smiles at me and looks me up and down. He's trying to be sneaky with it but I still catch him.
"Your taste is really very good, Tris. I loved the scone." He says.
"I'm glad." I bite my bottom lip, feeling nervous for some reason. "You want anything else?"
"No, thanks. I'll just take the bill." He says.
"Okay, here you go." I hand him the receipt after typing in his order.
As he's paying the amount, I see Tori come in from the back. She has been busy all day, helping with a big order for a baby shower. I would have gladly gone to help instead of her, but she didn't want to hear a word, saying I still need to take care of my leg. So I've been watching the register.
"Oh my god, it's absolutely crazy in there. We still have a lot of mini-cupcakes to make. But we ran out of the blue food colour. Did I mention that the baby is a boy? Anyway, would you be able to go round the corner to Tilly's shop and get us a large bottle? I would send someone else, but everyone is in the middle of something. And I need to hurry back, too. It's totally fine if you can't, I know your leg-" She rambles on.
"Hey, Tori, calm down. I'll go get the colour. Just breathe." I chuckle at her.
"Okay, thanks, Tris. Also, there's Mr. Miller's order of blueberry cheesecake for his wife all packed up. Would you mind dropping it off?" I nod at her, taking the box and placing it into a paper bag. Mr. Miller lives right beside the grocery shop. "Just put the closed sign on the counter while you're gone. You're the best, Tris!" She says and runs off to the back again.
I shake my head at her silliness, laughing to myself, when I notice that Tobias is still standing there, having heard the whole exchange. I realise I didn't return him his credit card and rush to give it back to him, apologising. I close the register and put up a sign, then grab the bag with the cheesecake, along with my wallet and walk around the counter. My knee hurts a little, a sharp pain going up my leg. I wince and lean against the wall.
"Do you need any help with your errands?" I hear Tobias ask. "I just heard her say something about your leg and it looks like you're in pain. How about I help you?"
"No, I'll be fine. Thanks for offering. You must be getting late for work." I tell him.
"It's not a big deal. Please let me help you, Tris." He pleads. I assess the situation, my leg does hurt, and he's a friendly guy offering to help me. I nod my head. We make our way slowly through the door. "Here, let me hold this." He takes the bag from my hands.
I offer him a grateful smile and continue walking carefully down the street, him right beside me, matching my slow turtle pace. I wince again and stop, taking a deep breath as I let the pain go away. Tobias notices and gently places his arm around my waist.
"Is this okay?" He whispers. I look at him and nod, the action doing something to me.
But I have to admit it's really helping, and we pick up our speed as we walk to Tilly's grocery shop. Quickly picking the baby blue bottle of food colour, I pay for it and we walk out. Next stop is Mr. Michael Miller, he is a long time customer and is always ordering his wife's favourite desserts. But it gets to be tricky as his house has quite a few steps in front to reach the door.
"I always use my crutches at home while going up the stairs and I don't know if I'll be able to-" I try explaining to Tobias.
"If you don't mind, I could lift you up?" He asks, surprising me. My eyes go wide as I stare at him. "Or I could call down Mr. Miller, he would understand your situation." He adds nervously, scratching the back of his neck.
"No, I don't want to bother him. He is very old and it would be harder for him to use the stairs." I say. I try to think of another solution, but Tobias's is the best option we have. "Okay, you can lift me, but please be careful."
"I will, I swear I won't hurt your leg." He smiles and leans down to place one hand under my legs and the other around my shoulders. He lifts me up easily, like I weigh nothing. As he's climbing the stairs, I feel his fingers brush against my bare thigh, my skirt riding up a little. I pretend it doesn't affect me, but who am I kidding?
Setting me down in front of the door, he turns towards it and knocks twice. I smooth down my skirt, trying to slow my breathing. Mr. Miller smiles when he opens the door, inviting us in. But we decline, handing him the cheesecake. He gives me a generous tip and says goodbye, appreciating us coming down to deliver it personally.
"I think I'll be fine climbing down." I say to Tobias and begin taking one step down. But it's clear that my leg is straining.
"Oh, for god's sake." Tobias utters and picks me up again, walking easily down the stairs.
"Hey!" I look at him accusingly as he sets me down.
"Sorry, I just couldn't stand seeing you wince in pain after each step." He says sincerely.
"It's okay. Thanks for helping me, Tobias. I really appreciate it." I say to him.
"It's no problem, Tris. Come on, I'll walk you back to the bakery." He grabs my hand and leads us back down the way we came.
I never thought I could feel a touch this way, like a jolt of electricity, but his hand in mine feels so good. I need to stop myself, he's just helping me as a friend. It's nothing more than that.
We talk a little on our way back, and I learn that he works at an office just a few blocks away as a computer programmer. He asks me how I hurt myself, and I tell him all about the accident. He looks sad hearing it, like he almost feels my pain.
Soon, we reach the bakery and stand in front of it. I surprise myself, as well as him, when I lean in and give him a hug. It's very unusual for me, I don't know what's gotten into me. But it brings a big smile on his face, so I don't overthink it. We say goodbye and he tells me he'll be back tomorrow to try another one of my recommendations. I sigh and watch him walk away, tomorrow can't come soon enough.
A/N: How are you guys liking the story so far? Let me know in the reviews!