The Trouble With Falling

We wave at Patrick and Brennan as they back up and Eli climbs behind the wheel. We pull out of the lot after them, heading back to town.

“They did. It was so early though. I’m not sure that my mom was even fully awake. She says that they are going to come back for Easter by the way, and she wants to come back for your grand opening.”

“She might as well have stayed here then. I’ll be opening the bakery next weekend.”

“Really?” Eli asks, sounding surprised.

“Yeah, I ordered the sign for the front and they should be here Monday to do the etching on the front window and door. All I have left to do is the marketing side of things and even that is partway done. I’ll be open in time for Valentine’s Day. I’m hoping that I get a lot of business for that day.”

“Guess they’ll be using up those frequent flyer miles,” he says as we follow Patrick’s car back to the bakery.

Brennan hops out right away and hurries up the apartment steps, Patrick following behind him and reminding him that the door is locked and that he needs to slow down. I laugh as I hop out of Eli’s truck and rush after them.

I hurry to unlock it for them so we can get out of the cold. We all take our winter gear off, hanging it all on the hooks by the front door. I head into the kitchen, taking out the chili that I made for dinner and pouring it into a pot to heat.

Patrick and Brennan are busy looking at all of the desserts lined up on the counter, but Eli joins me in the kitchen, leaning against the counter as I stir the chili.

“Well, maybe they won’t come back. They said that they wanted to give us our space for our first Valentine’s Day as a couple so that I could properly woo you. That was my mom’s wording, by the way,” he explains, like I didn’t already know that.

“Do they usually come back for Easter?” I ask as I grab some bowls, spoons, and the box of saltine crackers.

“Sometimes, but usually they only come for Thanksgiving and Christmas.”

“Do y’all like cheese or sour cream or anything on your chili?” I call and they both say no, joining us at the counter as I divide up the chili into the bowls.

We eat at the tiny table in front of the window and I smile when everyone practically licks their bowl clean.

I show the guys all of the sweet treats that I’ve been taste testing. They’re only all too happy to redo the taste testing of everything for me. I take notes of which flavors they like best even though I’ve already narrowed down what I’ll be making each day.

Patrick and Brennan leave a little bit later with leftover baked goods and some of my old cookbooks. I promise to teach Brennan how to make bread soon and they both promise that they’ll be there for the bakbakery’series grand opening.

As soon as they’re gone, I lock the door behind them and run toward Eli. I jump and he catches me, grinning as I wrap my legs around his waist.

“The bakery is all set up, the menu is set, my ingredients are ordered, and the last of the stuff is on its way and should be set up this week. I’ve got all of my stuff done and you have the day off work. So, what are we going to do now?”

“I’ve got a few ideas,” Eli says a second below his lips claim mine.