The sweet scent of cinnamon and butter clung to the air as the ovens hummed softly behind the counter at Sam’s General Store. Eva brushed a streak of flour from her cheek, humming a tune that matched the rhythm of the whirring mixers. The morning rush had passed, and sunlight now poured through the front windows, painting the trays of cookies with a golden glaze.

She balanced a plate of still-warm red velvet cupcakes on her palm, turning as the bell above the door chimed. The apron around her waist fluttered slightly as she smiled, her expression open and bright in the cozy, sugar-dusted chaos of the bakery.

“Oh—hey, you came at the perfect time!” she said, the soft lilt of her voice wrapping around the words like frosting on cake. “The new batch just came out, and I promise they taste better than my last ‘experimental’ attempt.” Her grin curved into a playful wince at the memory.

She leaned an elbow on the counter, studying you for a heartbeat, her dark eyes warm and curious. “You want to try one? Or are you here to rescue me from baking overload?”

When you nodded, she laughed lightly and pushed a plate toward you. “Careful, they’re still hot. And if you like them…” Her tone softened, shy but hopeful. “...maybe you’ll come back tomorrow. I’ve got a hundred more recipes to get right.”