Brayden, Melissa - How Sweet It Is

She lived for busy. It kept things interesting and gave the cash register a workout in the process. And right about now, dollar signs were her friends.

Her delivery guy, Damon, strolled in casually and consulted the clipboard on the counter. He’d worked part-time for Molly for the past two years and had slowly become part of the Flour Child family. She enjoyed his easygoing rhythm and the rapport he seemed capable of establishing with the clients. So he wasn’t the fastest delivery guy on the planet, but many an old lady fell victim to his boyish good looks and placed an extra order or two, just so he’d deliver it. Not exactly bad for business.

However, there was one woman immune to his charm and noticeable biceps, Eden. The two of them went together about as well as oil and water on their most compatible day. They were like Batman and the Joker. Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker. Madonna and Elton John.

Damon leaned across the counter and peered at the stack of boxes. “So what do you got for me?”

Eden glared at him. “That’s your greeting? ‘What do you got for me?’ Sugar, we’re busting our asses back here. How about leading with a good afternoon or a hello. Or were you not brought up properly?” Her accent had a way of adding a whole new level of intensity to an insult.

Damon chewed his gum for a few token moments before smiling widely. “Good morning, sunshine.” And then he dropped the grin entirely. “Now what have you got for me?”

Eden shook her head and moved to the first group of packages, muttering to herself. “Raised in a barn, I know what I’d like to give you.”

“Well, that sounds promising,” Damon called after her.

“Pig,” she shot back.

Molly suppressed an eye roll. It was their daily banter. She’d had to intervene in their battles on more than one occasion when there had been customers present, but she was in too good a mood today to get caught up. Instead she packaged the cookies and took a swipe from the doughy spoon once she finished. Perk of the job.

Eden handed Damon the first order. “All right, now pay attention. A dozen passion fruit tarts and two dozen macadamia brownies to the library for book club.”

“Got it.”

“Then you’re heading to the Allstate office next to the police station and dropping off the chocolate macaroons. Last, you’re gonna loop around to the courthouse with the red velvet birthday cake for Judge Saunders. Think you can manage not to screw it up? Or shall I write it in permanent marker across your sweet little forehead?”

He took a step into Eden, eyes flashing. “Sounds pretty tricky. I think I’ll just manage.” With that, he lifted the stack of pink boxes and breezed through the door nearly colliding with Jordan in the process. He was pressed for time, but apparently not enough to resist giving her an appreciative once-over as she passed.

“Hi,” Jordan beamed once she arrived at the counter. “Pickup for Primary Care of Applewood.”

Molly was happy to see her. “Hey, you. I figured they’d send Jackson to pick up these piping hot, wonderful cookies.”

“I volunteered. Trying to earn a few bonus points with the folks; you know how it is.” Jordan’s expression then shifted to one of amusement and she eyed Molly strangely.

Instantly self-conscious, she stared back. “What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Um.” Jordan halfway pointed at her cheek. “Nothing. It’s just you have some flour…”

“Oh.” She swiped at her cheek aggressively. “Occupational hazard. Did I get it?”

“Wow, no. Not at all. It’s pretty much everywhere. Like you’ve just returned from an all night flour rave and your reward was more flour.”

Molly grinned. “Well, I have to have fun somehow.”

“I can tell. You look, I don’t know…” She shook her head. “Happy. Completely in your element.”

“That’s because I am. I love days like this. Not a cloud in the sky, the aromas from the oven wafting past every few minutes, and the cash register getting a good workout.”

“Who could ask for more?”

They stood a moment, smiling at each other.

It was then that Eden cleared her throat. “Don’t mean to interrupt, but I think these might belong to you.” She slid a tray of oversized cookies across the counter to Jordan and extended her hand. “Eden Young. I don’t think we’ve met.”

“Pleasure. Jordan Tuscana.”

“So you’re the charmer everybody’s talking about. Mr. Lacamore said you jumped his dead car battery yesterday in front of the library.”

Jordan shrugged and looked skyward playfully. “I don’t know anything about that.”

“And modest too. Nice.” She swung a dishtowel over her shoulder. “Well, I have some cleaning up to do in the kitchen. See you around, sugar.” Eden turned and widened her eyes at Molly as she passed.

Jordan inclined her head in the direction of Eden’s retreating form. “She seems fun.”

“She is. But don’t let the accent fool you. Even the cruelest of jabs can sound gentle with a ‘bless her heart’ tossed in at the end. It’s her most notable skill.”

“I’m incredibly jealous.”

“Ditto. Will I see you later?”

Jordan made her way to the door. “You will. I’ll swing by your place about four to finish the shutters. Maybe we can grab dinner after?”

At Molly’s hesitation, Jordan paused and walked suspiciously back to the counter. “What? Don’t tell me. You have another date?”

Molly dropped her gaze.

“Oh my, you totally do. You have another hot date to go on.” She was grinning playfully, but the d-word alone was enough to make Molly’s blood pressure spike at the impending drink she’d agreed to have with yet another stranger. Apparently, Eden’s friend Paulene worked fast. The first setup had been difficult enough to muster the courage for. And after that whole traumatic experience, she didn’t know how she was going to manage a second go-round. What if it went just as poorly?

“It’s not a full date this time,” she explained to Jordan. “Just drinks. A half-date. It’s stupid, but I’m going and it doesn’t need to be discussed further because now I’m all…I don’t know. Damn it.” She stared at the buttons on the cash register, studying their grooves and attempting not to let herself freak out. Too late. The panic had already set in, and her heart thudded rapidly in her chest and the noise in the room was all sorts of deafening.

A minor panic attack. That’s all.

She’d had them before and would get through this if she could just, you know, find more air in the room. It was embarrassing and she had no reason to get all worked up over a dumb half-date, but alas, she was.

“Hey, hey. Look at me,” Jordan said gently. Molly lifted her gaze to Jordan who stared back at her with calm, understanding eyes. “Inhale slowly, okay? Again. And one more time.”

And then, Molly could breathe again. She never realized how much she loved air.

Jordan paused, allowing her a moment to get back on track. Her voice was quiet, reassuring when she spoke again. “It’s okay, Mol. We don’t have to discuss it. But you’re going to be okay, all right? See you at four.” And with a quick wink and a beautiful smile, she was off. Molly stared after her, wondering how with just one reassuring look and some kind words, Jordan had managed to steady her lilting ship. Her heart rate slowed and the annoying ringing in her ears drifted away.

She took another deep, much needed breath and reminded herself why. Because that’s what Jordan did. She made everything seem within the realm of possibility, even the most enigmatic. It was her gift. It was the way she approached life and it was contagious. It had always been that way.