1. Lord, help me.

Ava.

''I could have sworn I told you before I left.'' She gasped. ''I'm so sorry, Ava.''

I waved her off. ''It's okay, Mia.''

''You sure?'' She sniffled and I reached a hand out helplessly. ''You sure you aren't mad at me?''

I sputtered. ''I'd never!''

She immediately brightened and pulled me in for a hug. ''You're an angel.''

I blushed and tucked a hair behind my ear as I pulled back. ''Y-yeah, you too.''

She rushed off and I let out a breath of relief, only to jump when a voice suddenly said next to my ear,

''Did you just call Mia an angel?''

I turned to stare into the stern eyes of my manager and best friend, Adeola. I coughed nervously and shrugged.

''She's not an angel! She's a- a fucking devil!'' Adeola exclaimed and I winced.

''Please, don't curse.'' I mumbled and she sighed, hugging me from behind apologetically.

''Stop letting her walk all over you, Ava.'' She sighed. ''She knows you're too sweet and she's always playing on your emotions.''

I stopped to think.

Was Mia actually walking all over me? She just always had issues and it wasn't her fault. I mean, the other day, she had to leave work eight hours early because her mother fell down the stairs. I had no problem with doing her work for the rest of the day, because it would be mean if I didn't, right?

I told Adeola just that and she turned me to face her with a slap to her forehead.

''Ava.''

''Yeah?''

''Mia's mum isn't in this coun- her mum lives in France!''

''W-well, then who fell down the stairs?''

''No one!'' Adeola groaned. ''She's just a lying bitch. She wants to keep receiving money without working and babe? You're just making it easier for her, I keep telling you!''

I walked around Adeola and trudged to the counter with a frown. When my parents died and left me with this bakery, I didn't think I was cut out for it. I had no idea how to run a business but thankfully, I knew all of my mum's recipes.

I grew up in this town and had never set foot outside of it. I was content with my quiet life and I never thought I'd be put in a position like this till my parents died in a car accident two years ago.

It hadn't been easy running this restaurant since their demise. I was so grateful for Adeola, we've been best friends since high school and, I wouldn't have been able to do this without her. Mia was one of my employees and....for the life of me, I couldn't seem to figure her out.

She always had one problem or the other and was always missing work. Just last week, she told me her cat ran away so she had to take a week off work to go look for it. I gave her permission because- the poor cat!

I also paid her salary in full- even for days she missed- because none of the things happening to her were her fault. And now...I felt stupid. Was I really that dumb?

Adeola snapped me out of my thoughts when she squeezed my cheeks together and I blinked. ''I know what you're thinking and no. You're not dumb, you're just too nice.''

I pried her hands off my face with a sad sigh. ''Is that a bad thing?''

''Of course not.'' Adeola assured. ''The only thing bad here is that Mia keeps using that against you.''

''Well, what else would I do?'' I groaned. ''I can't just refuse her!''

''Uhhh, you definitely can.'' Adeola deadpanned. ''You're the boss, Ava.''

''Fine, I'll try-''

''You shouldn't even be behind the counter right now, that's Mia's job!'' Adeola said, swivelling me away from the counter.

''B-but I like attending to people!'' I begged, turning to face her and she stopped to eye me warily.

''You sure?'' She eyed me. ''You're not just saying this to get Mia out of more work?''

''Of course not!'' I widened my eyes. ''I love watching people eat my pastries.''

''Fine.'' She sighed. ''I'll just assign something else to Mia.''

''Yes ma'am.'' I said, with a teasing smile and she rolled her eyes fondly at me.

''And leave her to me now.'' She warned. ''I'll deal with her bullshit from now on, she either works or she's fired.''

''Okay, okay.'' I held my hands up as I walked back to stand behind the counter. ''Now, go on. I'll be fine.''

''You better be.'' She mumbled before striding towards the back purposefully. ''Mia!''

Oh boy. I do not want to be Mia right now. Adeola can be scary when she wants to be.

I smiled to myself and drummed my fingers against the countertop. Business was kinda slow today.

The bell jingled and I snapped my head up, a huge smile immediately appearing on my face when I met the gaze of Mrs Min.

''Hi!'' I greeted cheerfully and she responded with a smile of her own as she hobbled to the counter.

''I'm so glad I met you, gorgeous.'' She gushed. ''How are you doing?''

''I'm doing great.'' I laughed. ''How's your leg?''

Mrs Min was a seventy year old Asian woman who loved to eat sweets, even against her doctor's wishes. She was an old time customer, I've known her since I used to help my mum out here after school. She was glad I decided to continue their business, everyone seemed to think I'd sell this place off. I actually would have, if it weren't for Adeola.

''Oh, same old.'' She waved a hand dismissively. ''Is my cake ready?''

''You bet it is.'' I beamed. She placed an order for a birthday cake yesterday. Apparently, it was her grandson's 10th birthday today and she wanted to surprise him.

I reached down to gently carry the packaged cake out of the shelf and placed it on the counter. ''Here you go.''

She pulled the cover off to peer inside and she groaned. ''My God, this looks so tasty- and you have his name spelt right!''

I blushed and waved her off bashfully. She kept reminding me his name, Allan, was spelt with a double l and not a single one. Like I'd forget something that important.

Oh, that reminds me!

''Mrs Min, wait right here.'' I said, starting to head towards the kitchen. ''I've got special doughnuts for you.''

She placed a hand on her chest and gasped. ''For the birthday boy?''

''Nope.'' I grinned then winked. ''For my special lady.''

''Ava, I knew I loved you for a reason!'' She squealed and I laughed as I rushed towards the kitchen.

I walked in, only for my traitorous heart to start fluttering when my eyes fell on Keith.

He glanced up when I walked in and shot me a smile.

Oh my lord. He's so- ugh.

The sleeves of his white shirt were rolled up to his elbows with his strong arms going back and forth as he kneaded the flour.

God, I wish I was the flour right now.

Keith was the head Baker and he was my friend. He had dark brown hair that was thick and always sticking out in different directions because he never stopped running a hand through it.

Thick eyebrows that laid above his beautiful, beautiful green eyes. A straight nose, strong jaw and- God- those lips.

He was over six feet tall, broad shouldered, hot, and I've had a crush on him since like forever. He was one of the old workers, he has been working here since I was eighteen and since he was twenty three. He was five years older and always treated me like I was his little sister, I hated it but I couldn't do anything about it. I couldn't even look at him without blushing.

Even at twenty three, I was still the same old shy girl. It was annoying. Just like I predicted, I could feel my cheeks start to flush when he stopped what he was doing to focus on me.

He cocked his head at me in amusement. ''Am I that interesting to watch? Or..what are you here for?''

Oh, right. The doughnuts.

''Oh!'' I straightened, hiding my face behind my hair. ''I j-just, the uhm-'' I darted around him and frantically searched the tables for what I placed there earlier.

Where- I put them right here!

''Ava.'' He called, his deep voice making me shiver momentarily and I turned my head to look at him over my shoulder.

''Are you looking for..the doughnuts?''

''Yes!'' I answered, wiping my hands down my dress nervously. ''I-i thought I placed them right here.''

''You did.'' He chuckled. ''Adeola was about to steal them, so I hid them for you.''

My hero.

''They're over there.'' He pointed at the over head shelves with a wink and I almost melted.

I mumbled my thanks and walked over to the shelves. I stared up at them in dismay when I realised my 5'4 self couldn't reach it.

''Oh, my bad.'' I heard him say from behind me and before I could turn, he pressed up against me slightly as he reached above my head to grab the doughnuts. I swallowed.

Lord, help me.

I think I just creamed my panties.