Little Moments (Second Chances 2)

She heads to the cakes to put them away, but I stop her. “Don’t worry about that. I’ll put everything away before I lock up.”

She looks at me and smiles. “Thank you Roman. You’re such a good boy.”

I return the smile and pull her into a hug. “Get home safe. Call me when you get there.”

“I will. Be sure to put the cakes in the fridge and lock up the cookie cases.”

She walks over to get her coat and I hear the front door open. I walk over to greet the customer and see my uncle walking inside.

“Oh, Uncle Vinny, perfect timing!”

My aunt enters from the back and gives my uncle a hug and a kiss. He zips up her coat. “All ready darling?”

“Yes, I need to start dinner.”

Uncle Vinny looks at me. “How’s the day been?”

I shrug. “Not bad. It’s been a little slow today. Quiet really.”

He glances outside. “Yeah, it’s probably the cold. You can go ahead and close up shop early tonight. Come on home son. It’s been a long day.”

“I just have to finish the toppings and then I’ll head home.”

“Okay, see you there.”

They exit the bakery and disappear into the night. I head into the back to clean up my aunt’s mess. After it’s all cleaned, I take out my cell phone and start the Maroon 5 playlist. Raising the volume, I grab all the ingredients to start the toppings. I gather some strawberries, sugar, jelly, vanilla extract, and cornstarch to prepare the glaze.

As Maroon 5 blasts through the speakers, I mix and cook the glaze, watching it simmer in the saucepan. I glance up at the time. It’s almost eight fifteen. I better start cleaning up.

Once the glaze is heated, I pour it into some Tupperware and put it in the fridge to chill so it’ll be nice and solid in the morning. I walk toward the front of the bakery and turn off the lights in the cookie cases and cake refrigerators. Grabbing newspaper and the Windex, I scrub the glass counters and the mirrors. I lock all of the cases, wrap the remaining bread loaves, and cover the cookie displays. I can still hear Maroon 5 playing in the distance.

Humming along to their latest chart topper, I get the broom to do a quick sweep around the bakery, gathering crumbs and dirt. Once the floors are cleaned, I turn toward the back to get the mop and bucket. As I’m filling it up with water and floor cleaner, I hear a soft female voice echo from the front.

“Hello? Anyone here?”

The voice startles me, and I realize I forgot to lock the door before I started cleaning. Crap!

I yell toward the front, “Sorry we’re closed.”

The voice begs, “But I’m here to pick up a custom order. Can I just pay and pick up since I’m here?”

I remember the order Uncle Vinny told me about and decide to let her pay. “All right hold on, let me get it.”

I shut off the water, put the bucket on the ground, and walk toward the refrigerator to grab the éclairs. I see the name Stevens marked on the box and pull it out.

To verify the order, I call out, “What’s the name on the order?”

She calls toward me, “It should be under Stevens.”

I walk out and head straight toward the register. As I tally up the total, I hear her thank me.

“You have no idea how happy this makes me. My mom would have killed me if I didn’t get these. You made my night.”

I smile. “Well, glad to be here. That will be $27.85.”

I grab the box and place it inside a plastic shopping bag, then turn around to collect her payment. That’s when I see her. The gorgeous blonde stands on the opposite side of the counter and hands her debit card to me, but all I can do is just stand there frozen, staring at her. Her blonde locks settle on her shoulders as the soft waves mold along her neck. Her emerald eyes are fixed on me, and there’s no way for me to escape. Her cheeks have a hint of pink and her soft lips shine with a coat of gloss. God, she’s beautiful.