Molly shrugged and carefully avoided a patch of ice on the sidewalk. The sidewalks on their way to Sweetness & Light for their daily coffee were well shoveled, but winter always made things slippery. Once they had their coffee, they would head into work at Christmas Wishes for the last few days of the Christmas season.
“It sounded good,” Molly told him. “Eggs, hot dog, bun, peanut butter, and jam.” She shrugged again. “It tasted amazing.”
“You had me until the peanut butter and jam,” Nicholas replied, making a disgusted face. “I'll take our regular breakfast burritos any day.”
“Your loss,” Molly said, pulling open the door to Sweetness & Light. The shop smelled of cinnamon rolls, baked bread, and freshly brewed coffee.
Molly breathed in deep, and then gagged slightly.
“Are you okay?” Nicholas asked. Molly had gone slightly green.
“Does it smell off to you in here?” she asked him, glancing around. “It's almost too sweet. It's so sugary in here.”
Nicholas pressed the back of his hand to her forehead. “Are you feeling okay? Too sweet?”
She pushed his hand away and stuck out her tongue at him.
“Well, if something smells funny in my shop, I better find out what it is,” a voice said from behind the counter.
Molly spun and found Hannah behind the counter. It was obvious she wasn't working today as she was wearing a chic pantsuit with her curly hair loose around her head.
“Hannah!” Molly cried, completely forgetting her previous discomfort as she ran to greet her friend. “I didn't know you'd be in town!”
“Just for today,” Hannah replied, hurrying around the corner to give Molly a giant hug. “We came home to see family for a day before we head off to Cabo.”
“Cabo?” Molly raised an eyebrow. “That sounds fancy.”
Hannah nodded. “Yup. I think Luke is going to propose.”
“It's been long enough,” Nicholas said, shaking his head. “I was sure he was going to do it over the summer.”
“We've been busy,” Hannah explained. “Since you gave him partnership of the business, he's been working so hard. Plus, my TV show keeps me crazy busy too. This will be our first real vacation in over a year.”
“Luke has done amazing things,” Nicholas said. “I should have made him a partner years ago. He's grown business like crazy, and I still have time to work at Christmas Wishes. You two deserve a good vacation.”
“Well, I'm happy for you,” Molly told her. “And Luke, too. You two are just so good together.”
Hannah beamed at her friend. “Thanks. I hope we end up as happy as you and Nicholas.”
“Hopefully you eat better food,” Nicholas murmured under his breath, still stuck on the breakfast hot dog.
“Let me get you guys some drinks,” Hannah said, not hearing Nicholas's comment. “On the house. Americano for Nicholas and vanilla hazelnut latte for Molly.”
“Actually, can I just have a cup of peppermint tea?” Molly asked. “The latte doesn't sound good today.”
Hannah and Nicholas stared at her for a moment.
“Who are you and what have you done with Molly?” Hannah asked after a moment.
Molly rolled her eyes. “What? I'm not allowed to want a little less sugar in my diet? My stomach's not super happy with me this morning.”
“After the hot dogs, I'm not surprised,” Nicholas told her.
“Hot dogs?” Hannah asked, looking between the two of them.
“What? They were delicious,” Molly replied. “But now, I just want some tea.”
Hannah shook her head and poured a cup of hot water and found the tea bag. “Anything for my friend,” she said.