Jason stares down at his pastry, something matcha or pistachio or something. Whatever. He just orders a pot of coffee and whatever the special is every day when he comes in here.

It’s totally not his style. Any of it. The bakery is warm and cozy, decorated with warm colors, festive displays, string lights and candles and lots of other fun, girly stuff. And the menu. Elaborate and tooth achingly sweet pastries, donuts, cakes, cookies, and anything else. Plus fresh bread and fantastic lunch specials. Delicious sure, but very different from his classic style. Sometimes he wonders why he comes in, spending so much money on a pastry he’d never pick and some pretty decent coffee when he could get the cheap stuff from some shitty coffee cart on the street but then he catches a glimpse of her, and he remembers what draws him in every day.

Her friendly smile and her hair twisted up in a claw clip, different every day to match her outfit but Jason would never admit he noticed that, and her apron full of the free stickers she hands out to kids. He can still remember the first day he met her. He came in on opening day out of nothing more than blind curiosity at the new addition to his neighborhood. He saw her incredibly dorky self bumbling around the kitchen, covered in flour and icing. She was so excited for her first customer and gave him the special on the house. Now he comes back every day, ordering the daily special, even if he knows he wouldn’t like it, just to try the dish she tries so hard to make, and pretends like he’s not gazing at her while she works.

Come on, Todd. Be discreet, for god’s sake.

He has to force his gaze away from the cute baker and back to his dish, taking a small bite of the matcha croissant? Whatever it is, it’s got green icing and some kind of flower decoration. He takes a bite, just for her.