Sold To The Sheikh Bidder

Lyssa bumped her shoulder lightly, reminding Jacqui of her presence, and Jacqui tried to give her a smile in return.

“Hey, are you ready for your midterm?” Jacqui asked.

Lyssa was getting her culinary arts degree, and was in her final year of the program. Jacqui knew that this midterm was a critical test for her.

Lyssa nodded. “I have the recipe I want to use, and I know what modifications I want to make to it based on all the things they might ask us to do.”

Jacqui gave her a look of approval. “Good. What recipe are you going to use?”

“The coconut layer cake. I can turn it into cupcakes or a sheet cake, and if they get really wild with us, I can use it for muffins or a quick sweet bread.”

Lyssa ticked ideas off on her fingers.

“I’ve got a plan for a Meyer lemon curd filling and coconut icing or an orange and chocolate glaze.” She held up her hand, palm out. “And I’ve heard that they sometimes try to throw the class by asking us to make something that could be used for Thanksgiving or Christmas, because nobody is thinking about winter holidays in late March.”

Jacqui laughed.

“Culinary instructors will keep you on your toes. So, what’s your plan?”

Lyssa gave her a triumphant look.

“Cranberry and lime icing. It turns out this really pretty red, and I’ve figured out how to turn lime peel into little Christmas trees. They’re a little abstract, but I can make it work.”

“Okay, I’ve officially put that on our menu for the holidays this year. Count on making that cake here.”

Lyssa laughed and Jacqui could see she was pleased at her boss’s approval, but then she grew more serious.

“Am I going to be working here during the holidays?” Lyssa asked.

Jacqui hesitated.

“I…don’t know, Lys. Business is, well, bad.” She waved around, indicating the empty room. “I don’t know how much longer I can keep this up. If something good doesn’t happen soon, I may have to close.”

Lyssa looked sad and Jacqui shrugged.

“To be honest, I don’t know how much longer I can afford to pay you,” she said.

“Then don’t pay me. I get enough practice here; it’s worth it just to give me the edge in school.”

Jacqui smiled, but shook her head.

“Don’t ever work for free, Lys. You’re too talented and too valuable to do that. People who ask you to work for nothing aren’t worth working for.”

Lyssa thought about that.

“Well, it’s not for nothing, because you let me use the kitchen here for my projects.” She laid her hands on the counter and pushed herself upright. “Tell you what—normally, I bring in my own supplies when I bake here. Instead of a paycheck, why don’t you pay me by letting me use the bakery’s supplies? Anything I don’t have to take into class, you can sell, if it meets your approval.”

Jacqui knew that was still a better deal for her than it was for the younger woman, and she pulled Lyssa into a close hug.

“Done. And if we sell your creations, you get a cut.” Lyssa started to protest, but Jacqui shook her head. “That’s my final offer.”

Lyssa hugged Jacqui back. “Fine. We’ll do it your way, boss lady.”

“Okay, now go to class and wow them with your mad skills.”

Lyssa stepped back and tossed her a jaunty salute. “Yes, ma’am.”

Jacqui rolled her eyes and tossed one of the white cotton towels she kept behind the counter at her employee. Lyssa caught it, laughing, and headed into the back of the shop. She returned a less than a minute later, without her apron and with a backpack and light jacket. She waved as she walked out the front door of the store.

Jacqui waved back and then settled against the counter again. Now, it really was too quiet.

She decided to take care of a few chores, but even placing the next week’s order for supplies and wiping down the cases only took a short time. It wasn’t long before Jacqui found herself drumming her fingers on the counter again.

She turned to go back into the kitchen and then heard the bell above the shop door ring out. Jacqui turned back around, a smile on her face, to greet the new customer.

Holy cow, she thought, the guy’s gorgeous. Like seriously, magnificently gorgeous.

Perfect jet-black hair cut short, but not too short. Just a hint of beard stubble, sexy but still well-groomed. Shoulders that hinted at strength under a tailored jacket that Jacqui was pretty sure cost more than the store’s rent.

Jacqui had to look up at him as he walked up to the counter. She managed to say, “Welcome to Bauer’s Bakery. What can I get for you today?”

The grin he gave her in response made her knees weak.