Lisa
I sat in the car for what felt like forever, staring blankly at the steering wheel. My knuckles were still white from gripping it so hard earlier. My heart was pounding, my chest was tight, and the weight of the morning hung over me like a storm cloud. Going back to the office was out of the question… I didn't have answers for Rachael, and the thought of facing her with an empty report made my stomach churn.
I needed to clear my head. Who knows if Claire already called to tell her too? She wouldn't though, she was open to giving us a second chance…
Suzie!
Her thought instantly brought a flicker of relief. I'd only been to her shop once and it smelled like sugar and comfort, and she had a way of making even the worst days feel bearable. Without thinking too hard about it, I started the car and drove in her direction.
When I pulled up outside the little storefront, the sight of the pastel sign… Suzie's Sweet Delights, gave me my first real breath of the day. I pushed open the door, and the smell of freshly baked croissants and cinnamon rolls wrapped around me like a warm hug.
"Lisa!" Suzie's cheerful voice rang out from behind the counter. She was wearing her usual floral apron, her blonde curls bouncing as she rushed over to me. "What a surprise! I thought you'd be at work. What have I done to deserve this awesome visit?" She let out.
I managed a weak smile. "Not quite. I just... needed to get away for a bit."
Her smile faltered as she studied my face. "Uh-oh. Bad day?"
"You could say that," I muttered, slumping into a chair by the window.
Suzie didn't waste a second. She grabbed two mugs, filled them with steaming hot chocolate, and plopped down across from me. "Okay, spill. What happened?"
I took a deep breath, the words tumbling out before I could stop them. "I was sent to a client meeting with my partner… dave…" I nearly choked on the word, "…and it was a disaster. We couldn't agree on anything. It was like everything I said was wrong, and he was just... impossible. The client ended up kicking us out and telling us to figure it out before coming back."
Suzie's eyes widened. "Wait, is this the same Dave I know? The one you're living with?" She quizzed.
"Yep," I said, popping the "p" for emphasis. "It's the same Dave. And yes, it's as awkward as it sounds." I let out weakly.
"Oh, Lisa." She gave me a sympathetic look before sipping her hot chocolate. "So, what's the plan? Are you going to try talking to him?"
I scoffed, leaning back in my chair. "What's the point? He doesn't listen. He just thinks he's always right, and I'm the one being difficult. Honestly, I'm so over it. I just needed to get out of there before I do something I'd regret."
Suzie nodded thoughtfully, then leaned forward, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Okay, here's what you need: a distraction."
"A distraction?" I raised an eyebrow.
"Yes! Something, or someone, to take your mind off this Dave nonsense," she said, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.
I rolled my eyes. "Suzie, I don't have time for distractions. My job is on the line. I can't afford to lose focus now. My boss gave me six months to prove my worth or I turn jobless." I retorted.
"Oh, come on," she said, nudging my arm. "You've been all up in your shell for months now. Now that you've managed to crawl out, I won't let you get into all that work and no play nonsense. It's not healthy. And, as luck would have it, you know my birthday party is coming up soon."
I groaned, already sensing where this was going. "Suzie..."
"Hear me out!" she said, holding up her hands. "I've got this friend… super charming, single, and very much not like Dave. I can introduce you two at the party. No pressure, just... a little fun."
"Suzie, no," I said firmly, shaking my head. "I'm not looking for anything right now. Especially not another guy. The last thing I need is more drama in my life."
"It's not drama!" she insisted. "It's just a casual introduction. You don't even have to like him. Just meet him, talk, maybe dance a little. Worst case scenario, you get free cake and good company. Best case scenario, you meet someone who makes you forget all about Dave and his... annoying face." She pressed.
I couldn't help but laugh at her enthusiasm, though I shook my head again. "You're relentless, you know that?"
"It's one of my best qualities," she said with a grin. "Come on, Lisa. Do it for me. My birthday wish."
I sighed, knowing I was losing the battle. Suzie had a way of wearing me down with her charm and infectious energy. "Fine," I said reluctantly. "I'll come to the party, and I'll meet your friend. But that's it. No matchmaking, no setups, nothing."
"Deal," she said, practically bouncing in her seat. "You won't regret it, I promise!"
I smiled despite myself, feeling a small weight lift off my shoulders. Suzie had that effect on me… she reminded me that life didn't always have to be so serious.
"Thanks, Suzie," I said, reaching for my mug. "I really needed this."
"Anytime," she said, her expression softening. "And don't let that Dave guy ruin your day… or your career. You've worked too hard to let some stubborn man get in your way."
I nodded, her words sinking in. She was right. I couldn't let this morning define me… or my future.
"I should probably head back now," I said, standing up and stretching after finishing my hot chocolate. I felt lighter after venting to Suzie, but the thought of going home and potentially running into Dave dampened my mood all over again.
"Oh, no, you don't," Suzie said, grabbing my wrist and tugging me back into my chair. "You can't just drop all that drama on me, steal my hot chocolate, and then leave. There's a toll for that, you know."
I raised an eyebrow, amused. "A toll? What, are you a bridge now?"
She grinned wickedly, leaning against the table. "That's right, and if you want to cross the 'Suzie Bridge,' you have to pay up. Or, in this case, give me something in exchange for all the pearls of wisdom I've just shared."
I burst out laughing, shaking my head. "Pearls of wisdom? You mean setting me up with one of your friends as a distraction? Sure, real profound advice, Suzie."
She placed a hand over her heart, feigning offense. "Excuse me! You came here looking for my expert life coaching, and this is how you repay me?"
I laughed harder, leaning back in my chair. Suzie was the best at pulling me out of a funk, and right now, I was grateful for her silliness. "Alright, fine," I said, still chuckling. "What do you want me to do? I'm at your mercy."
Her eyes lit up, and for a moment, I regretted my words. "Perfect! You're going to be my sales rep for the day. My girl called in sick this morning so I have been doing it all by myself but I really need an extra pair of hands now so there you go!" She exclaimed.
"Wait, what?" I stared at her, confused. "Suzie, I don't know the first thing about selling pastries."
"It's easy," she said with a wave of her hand. "Smile, look charming, and convince people that they absolutely need my triple-chocolate cookies in their lives. Besides, my sales rep called in sick, and I've got a ton of orders to bake. I can't do both."
I sighed, glancing around the cozy shop. There weren't a lot of customers at the moment, but I knew how busy this place could get. "You're seriously going to trust me with your business?"
"You'll be great!" she said brightly, already tying an apron around my waist. "You've got that whole 'fashionable and approachable' vibe going for you. People will eat it up literally."
"Alright, alright," I said, laughing as I adjusted the apron. "But if I mess this up, it's on you."
"You won't mess up," she said, giving me a quick hug before hurrying back to the kitchen. "Now go sell some cookies! And call me if you need help."
I shook my head, smiling to myself as I stepped behind the counter.
To my surprise, being a sales rep wasn't so bad. The customers were friendly, and Suzie's pastries practically sold themselves. A couple came in for coffee and ended up leaving with a box of muffins, and a mom with two kids couldn't resist the display of sugar-dusted donuts.
"Are these fresh?" one customer asked, pointing at the croissants.
"Fresh out of the oven this morning," I said confidently. "They're buttery, flaky, and perfect with a cup of coffee."
"I'll take two," she said, smiling.
By the time the mid-afternoon rush slowed down, I was starting to enjoy myself. But just as I thought I'd get a break, Suzie popped her head out of the kitchen, her hair dusted with flour.
"Lisa! I need your help in here. The birthday order needs to be boxed up, and I'm running behind!"
I glanced at the empty shop and shrugged. "Guess my sales shift is over."
"Not quite," Suzie said as I joined her in the kitchen. "You're still working for me… just in a different department."
The kitchen was a world of activity. Suzie had trays of cookies, cupcakes, and a beautifully decorated cake spread out on the counters. "This is for a little girl's birthday party tomorrow," she explained as she handed me a piping bag. "Her mom ordered pastries for her classmates, plus a cake for the party."
"Got it," I said, rolling up my sleeves.
We worked quickly, boxing up cookies and carefully placing the cupcakes in their containers. Suzie added final touches to the cake while I double-checked the order list.
"Is this normal for you?" I asked as I carefully arranged the last batch of cookies.
"Pretty much," she said with a grin. "But it's worth it when you see how happy people get. And the kids? They go crazy for the cookies."
Just as we finished, the bell above the door jingled.
"That must be the mom," Suzie said, wiping her hands on her apron.
Sure enough, a woman walked in, followed by a little girl with curly pigtails. The mom's eyes lit up when she saw the boxes. "Oh, wow! This all looks amazing."
Suzie beamed. "Thank you! We hope your daughter loves it."
The little girl peeked at the cake through the clear lid, her face lighting up. "It's so pretty!"
My chest warmed at the sight of her excitement. Suzie really had a way of making people happy.
"Happy birthday," I said, smiling at the little girl.
"Thank you!" she said shyly, hugging her mom's leg.
As they left, Suzie turned to me with a triumphant grin. "See? Totally worth the stress."
I laughed, brushing flour off my hands. "Okay, I'll admit this was kind of fun."
"Kind of?" she teased, nudging me. "Face it, Lisa. You're a natural."
"Let's not get carried away," I said, though I couldn't stop smiling.
For the first time all day, I felt at peace…