The morning sun filtered through the stained-glass window of The Whisk & Groove, casting a kaleidoscope of colors across the flour-dusted countertops. Jessie hummed along to the crackling vinyl spinning in the corner, Ella Fitzgerald’s velvet voice wrapping around the scent of fresh cinnamon rolls. Her hands moved deftly, folding dough with practiced ease, but her mind was already racing ahead to tonight’s Pride party.

Her fingers dusted with flour, Jessie paused to lean against the counter, eyes drifting toward the shelves lined with colorful records and vintage baking tins. Each one held a story, memories of her grandmother’s kitchen, late-night jam sessions, and the countless Sundays spent perfecting recipes that now filled this space with warmth and life.

The scent of cinnamon mingled with the faint tang of citrus from the lemon zest she’d added to the dough, a little twist for tonight’s special batch of rainbow cookies. She smiled softly, imagining the way the vibrant colors would brighten the faces of her guests, how the music and laughter would flow through the bakery’s walls like the perfect harmony.

Jessie reached for her notebook, flipping to a page scribbled with ideas and reminders. The playlist was nearly set, the charity donations confirmed, and the decorations were stacked in the back room, ready to transform the cozy bakery into a celebration of love and pride.

She took a deep breath, savoring the calm before the storm, the sweet, quiet moments that fueled her passion. This was more than just a bakery. This was her dream, her refuge, her way of making the world a little brighter, one cookie and one song at a time.

With a renewed sense of purpose, Jessie rolled up her sleeves and returned to the dough, ready to pour all her heart into the day ahead.

That evening the cozy hum of conversation and laughter filled The Whisk & Groove as colored lights flickered softly over the crowd. Jessie was adjusting a platter of rainbow cookies when her friend tugged her gently by the arm.

"Jessie, come here! I want you to meet someone." "Who?" "She just moved here. I thought you two might hit it off."

Jessie followed her through the crowd, heart picking up pace with excitement and nerves. They stopped near the record player, where a woman with a warm smile and bright eyes was browsing the album covers. Riley nudged Jessie and the woman at the same time and said, "Say hi." Before she left them alone, Jessie laughed. "Hi, I'm Jessie."