Peter was slicing up a loaf of bread when he saw Wendy walk into the shop. His heart tightened and before he knew it, he had dropped to the floor behind the counter. He considered calling Mr. Glockenhuber or Susan from the kitchen to come wait on her, but then he shook his head, realizing how irrational he was being. The bakery was only a short walk from her work. He should have known he would see her sooner or later. What am I doing? He thought. Only cowards hide from girls. He made a valiant effort to steady his irregular breaths and stood up.
"Hello, miss. Can I help you?"
Wendy yelped and stumbled back into a case of doughnuts. "Peter! I... how...? What are you doing here?"
"I work here," he said simply, glad that she seemed as flustered as he felt.
"Work here? Why?"
"We need money to rebuild Neverland, so I thought I'd try to earn some."
"Oh. That's... that's great." She gave him a small smile and he gripped the edge of the counter to keep his hands from trembling. "Although, you're going to have to work here a long time to-"
"Is this girl bothering you?"
Peter jumped as Susan appeared next to him at the counter, giving Wendy a murderous look.
"No. This is Wendy. She's..."
"Your girlfriend?"
"Well, no."
"Oh, thank goodness. Is she going to buy anything or is she just going to waste your time?"
Wendy, who had been watching them with an odd look, sprang into action. "Yes, I'll take these," she said, grabbing a box of day-old pastries.
Peter's hand brushed hers as he took her money, and he steeled his senses not to react. He stole a glance at her as he made change, at her perfectly messy hair and the freckles by her eye. His eyes lingered on the corner of her mouth, at the upturn that looked both mischievous and innocent. He blushed when he realized he had been staring, but then, it seemed as if she had been staring at him as well.
"It was good to see you," Wendy said softly as she stepped away.
"You too." Peter knew he looked supremely stupid, but in that moment he didn't care.
"Goodbye!" Susan said a little too loudly. "Enjoy your stale pastries!"
Wendy gave an awkward wave and walked out the door. When she had disappeared around the corner, Susan let out a loud groan.
"Ugh, you're in love with her!"
"What?"
"I saw the way you looked at her." She put her hands on her hips and shook her head. "This is going to make things so much more challenging. Although, it will also be a lot more satisfying when I do finally win you over."
Peter looked at her incredulously. "You do know you're talking out loud, right?"
"Of course," Susan responded, flipping her hair over her shoulder and giving him a wink before walking back to the kitchen.
Peter tried to push thoughts of Wendy out of his mind as the day wore on, but he was unsuccessful. He kept remembering her closeness and her quiet courage, and the way he had felt when he was around her. The ache in his heart intensified with each of these thoughts, and he wondered if maybe he should look for work elsewhere to avoid seeing her again. Working at the bakery might have distracted him for a while, but Susan was right. He was still very much in love with Wendy Darling.
*****
It was late afternoon when several police officers walked brusquely into the bakery. The foremost among them approached Mr. Glockenhuber.
"Are you Mortimer Glockenhuber?"
"Y-Yes. That's me," the bakery owner replied, his eyes wide.
"You are under arrest for insurance fraud and destruction of property," the officer stated, placing handcuffs on Mr. Glockenhuber's shaking hands.
"What? That's preposterous!" Cried Mr. Glockenhuber, although his voice lacked conviction.
Another officer stepped forward. "Several neighbors reported seeing you breaking your building's window and carrying firecrackers inside."
Mr. Glockenhuber hung his head in defeat.
"No! Daddy!" Susan wailed, dropping to her knees and bursting into tears.
Mr. Glockenhuber couldn't bring himself to look at his daughter, but instead turned around to face Peter as the officers pushed him towards the door.
"Peter! I'm leaving the bakery in your hands! You're a smart lad, you'll know what to do."
Before Peter could find the words to respond, the police had escorted Mr. Glockenhuber from the shop, leaving him shocked and bewildered as Susan continued to have a melt down on the floor.