Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 90607 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90607 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
“I love the cake, the coffee, and the company.”
Now she felt her cheeks start to heat, and she was just about to ask him out to the bar but his cell phone began to buzz. She gritted her teeth and watched as he glared.
“I’ve got to take this.”
She nodded. What could she say to him? Tell him not to answer his phone because she wanted to ask him something really important—that was pointless. Taking a deep breath, she got back to work. Several men and women had entered as Pat left. She kept trying to see his shadow in the distance.
With Fall fast approaching it was getting darker a lot faster, and colder. She loved Fall and Winter. There was just something about the darker seasons that made her feel at peace. Of course, it helped that it came with pumpkin, candy, fairy lights, and turkey. She didn’t have any of these things throughout the year. Maybe some candy at Easter, but rarely.
She liked to keep things festive, and candy came with Halloween. She had grown out of going trick-or-treating, but that didn’t stop her from enjoying parties.
Only, the last few years, she hadn’t gone to any of the parties. She, Violet, and their mother had a two-day movie marathon, where they snacked on candy and ice cream, watching horror movies, and giving out candy to anyone who rang the bell. She always stayed in her old room. It was a lot of fun.
Well, she knew her mother loved it, but then Hazel loved watching horror movies. She hadn’t quite figured out that her two daughters spent most of their time behind a pillow. When they were kids, their dad would sit and watch every scary item he could get his hands on. She always found it strange as her mother was so loving, calm, and gentle, yet loved and relished every moment of horror. Not that there was anything wrong with that, but it freaked her the fuck out.
Since their dad’s passing, she would start on Halloween and go into November first, watching a hell of a movie fest, and that would finish with the animation. She would stay home until she could finally sleep with the light off once again. That was how much of a coward she was. Yep, and before bed, she would check to see if there was a monster under her bed.
The horror movies of recent years had gotten a lot scarier. If she was able to go to a party and convince her mother to go, she would. She spent the whole year trying not to remember a single horror moment. There was no way to get out of it either. Lauren closed up for Halloween.
One person left, so she went and cleaned up after him, picking up his cup and plate, and taking them to the back. Lauren always stayed in the back.
“Are you okay?” Ava asked, moving into the main kitchen.
Lauren pulled out her earbud, and spun around. The baker was so damn cute and lovely. Long blonde hair, intense blue eyes, she was one of the sweetest people Ava had ever met. She was soft spoken, and she never cussed. Ava believed she was in her thirties, or at least late twenties.
“Yeah, I’m good. Listening to a book as I clean. How is everything?” Lauren asked.
“It’s going well. The lemon drizzle cake seems to be a hit.”
“Awesome, I didn’t know if that one would be. I thought I had squeezed way too many lemons.”
Ava chuckled. “I better get back. You know, there is nothing wrong with you coming out and seeing them enjoy your cake?”
Lauren held her hands up in surrender. “No, thanks. I’m happy with our arrangement. I hope that is okay?”
“Yeah, of course. You’re the boss, not me.” She winked at her boss, and then made her way back to the main part of the shop.
Pat was back, standing at the counter, and she felt that disappointment swirl in her gut as he had his wallet out. He was off for the night.
She approached him. “Is everything all right?” she asked.
“Yeah, it’s fine. I’ve got to call it a night. Thank you for the company, Ava. You’re a doll.”
Great, a doll. She was going to see that as a compliment.
“See you next time.”
Ava held her hand up and she felt so damn awkward. So much for asking him out Friday night. She took a deep breath, took his money, and went to the till, ringing him up. The best part of her day was talking with Pat.
How did women ask men out on dates? How did women get men to ask them out on dates? The dating scene confused her. Her parents’ story was no good, as they met in high school. Pat was older than her, and high school boys hadn’t appealed to her.