Lessons in Love (Flirt) by A. Destiny, Catherine Hapka Page B

was pulling several dozen snickerdoodles off a tray and putting them into a basket in the bakery case.
    “Yum,” I said, hurrying over and grabbing a cookie before she could add it to the display. “Did Great-Aunt Ellen just make these?”
    “Uh-huh. And don’t eat any more—you know she only works a half day on Mondays, and we’re likely to run out before dinnertime as it is.” Mom slapped my hand away before I could take more. “How was school? Did your biology test go okay?”
    “Test was good. School was fine.” I stuffed the cookie in my mouth. It was still warm—heaven. Great-Aunt Ellen was the one who’d first convinced my great-grandparents to add a bakery to their successful deli business way back in the early days. It had been a hit from the start, probably because her cookies, cakes, and donuts were so delicious that people came from miles around to get them.
    I wiped my hand on my jeans, then went behind the counter and grabbed one of the coffee pots from the twin burners. The two older ladies were regular customers, and I knew they always drank decaf.
    “Refill?” I asked when I reached their table.
    “Oh, thank you, dear.” The older of the pair smiled at me and slid her cup closer.
    “Yes, thanks.” Her friend pushed her glasses up her nose and peered toward the bakery case. “Did I just see your mother bringing out some fresh cookies?”
    “Snickerdoodles.” I smiled. “How many do you want?”
    Once I’d finished topping off their coffee and brought them each a cookie, I stepped behind the counter and put the coffee pot back. “What do you want me to do?” I asked.
    Uncle Rick glanced up from his cleaning. “Suz is in back working on a delivery order,” he said. “You could help her finish up.”
    “Okay.” I pushed through the swinging doors.
    Susannah glanced up from layering ham and provolone onto a row of sub rolls. “Hi, Bailey.”
    “Hi. How’d your test go?”
    She groaned. “Don’t ask. How was yours?”
    “The usual.” I shrugged. “Simone thinks she actually passed, though.”
    “That’s good.” She shoved a tub of mayonnaise toward me. “Here. I need two roast beef with lettuce, onion, and mayo. No tomato.”
    “Got it.”
    We worked together in comfortable silence. When the sandwiches were finished, Susannah started stuffing them into bags. “Can you tell your dad these are ready?” she said. “He’s in the office.”
    I nodded and stepped into the tiny hallway beyond the kitchen. Passing the storerooms and restroom, I stopped in front of the closetlike office. Through the half-open door I could see my dad at the desk, bent over some paperwork. I rapped lightly on the door frame.
    “Order’s up,” I said.
    Dad looked up, his mustache twitching into a smile. “Oh, hi, Bailey. I didn’t know you were here. What time is it?” He checked his watch.
    “Time to deliver some sandwiches. Do you want me to take them? Or ask Uncle Rick?”
    “No, I’ve got it.” Dad stood and stretched. “I can swing by and pick your sister up from her piano lesson on the way back.”
    I followed him out to the front. Things were still slow, so Mom suggested I get started on my homework. I took her advice, slipping into the corner booth and pulling out my books.
    I was halfway through that night’s geometry proofs when the bell over the door jingled loudly. Once I looked up, I saw that it was Megan. She’d changed out of her school clothes into a pretty floral wrap dress with a deep V-neck. It definitely hugged her curves in all the right places, though the cap sleeves and lightweight, flowy fabric looked more suited for July than the fickle weather of early spring.
    “Bailey! I was hoping you’d be here!” She hurried over and slid onto the bench across from me. Her eyes were dancing with excitement and her cheeks were flushed pink. The latter was probably due to vasodilation from spending time outdoors in that dress on a relatively chilly day. But somehow,