Papa's face read shocked as I said him I was going to work today, I told Everest not to bother dropping me off this morning, since Abel would be free. And...I couldn't face him yet. I felt so guilty for kissing Darrick immediately our lips separated! I may have also asked him to leave my room, my heart couldn't stop thudding yesterday, thinking of whether to tell Everest or not. I just hoped he wasn't going to be mad, if Evie told me he kissed a woman, I'd be furious!

"When did you get the job?" Papa asked, his eyebrows raising inquisitively, his face morphed into an expression I made out to be happiness. I grinned as well, placing a palm on my waist. Today, I had on loose jeans which hung against my waist and hips, paired with a white long-hand polo. I wanted to be casual, seeing as I'd put an apron over it. I was kind of excited to go back to Margret's Delight, especially as a working girl!

"I got the job yesterday, so I'll be there until three o'clock," I told him with a smile. Seeing him without a scowl or his eyebrows furrowed made my insides giddy. Papa wasn't angry at me, no, he looked pretty proud of my words. "About time." He chuckled. "What's the pay?" He set his chin on the crook of his palm just as Abel came in, raising his shirt with his teen as he did his belt. "Mrs M said it'll be seventeen dollars per hour." He nodded, looking down at his newspaper.

"That's a good one, Ama." When was the last time he called me that? The nickname stretched my lips into a silly grin. "Thanks, Papa!" Abel picked up the milk carton from the fridge, gulping it directly. "Abel! That's disgusting!" I huffed, glaring at my older brother. How could he do such a thing? I was hoping to eat cereal when I got back! He poured a portion of cereal into his mouth as well, mixing it in. I gagged playfully as Papa chuckled.

"Better get a new carton on your way back, Abel." Abel gasped. "It's still remaining."

"Like hell it is." I giggle at their cute banter before skipping over to his car outside. "Let's go, Abel! I don't want to be late." I remembered how the road which led to the bakery, I also had the address, so I inputted it into the GPS in Abel's car as he came out of the house.

"How come Everest isn't taking you? I thought the two of you were becoming inseparable." I blushed at the mention of his name, I wondered what he was doing at this time, the guilt also chirped in. "I...uh..." pursing my lips, I decided to take my words one at a time. "I didn't want to bother him." He hummed, reversing out of the parking lot.

"I'm pretty sure that'll be the last thing on his mind. The lad is smitten if I do say so myself." My heart whined at the word. "He did say he likes me," I confessed cheekily, playing with my fingers. Was it obvious that he liked me? Maybe in the way, he looked at me? My bottom lip got in between my teeth in thought, I like the way he looked at me, I wouldn't mind his hands caressing my thigh as he'd done before. Amelia! I shake the lewd thoughts away.

"Bold of him. That reminds me, I think he's interested in working in my shop. He came a few days ago. Remind him to give me a call if he's still interested." My ears perked up, Everest wanted to work at my big brother's mechanic shop. That was great! Seemed like I'd be paying Abel a visit more often. I hummed, nodding my head. I was sure he hasn't called Abel because he was preoccupied with my job hunting. He was so selfless, I found it rather charming.

"Alright, so am I picking you up or is he?" Abel asked, stopping near Margret's Delight. He observed the place with an eyebrow raised, nodding his head in approval before glancing at me. I blushed, a bit unsure how Everest would react when I told him about the kiss. "He is," Abel smirked. "Of course he is."

The bakery had just opened, and from the glass window, I could see Preston wave at me as he clutched a broom in his hand. I giggled at this. "Good morning, sunshine." Preston grinned, supporting his soothing words with a wink. I smiled back, waving. "Hi, Preston! I hope I'm not late." It seemed more of a question but when he shook his head, I relaxed.

"Where's Mrs M?" He cocked his head to the back. On my way there, I see Hugh who's standing beside the door, his arms folded. Hugh — if I remembered his name correctly, was huge. He was even taller than Everest, the flesh on him making the guy even more intimidating. "Good morning!" I winced, not wanting to be so loud and chirpy.

Hugh grunted without staring back at me, it was then I realized something else had his attention. Ava and Blossom were gathering the equipment to use for baking, they were also involved in an intense bicker. Ava gestured with her elbow, blowing raspberries as if to prove her point while Blossom remained almost stoic, her lips doing all the movement.

"Good morning." I greeted again, unsure if they'd hear me from their bicker. Blossom was the first to turn, her lips tilted in a sideway smile. "Hey, you're the new worker, right?" I nod, glad that she remembered me — in some way. "It's Amy...no Amelia. Right? You're really pretty, I didn't want to say it before so I wouldn't scare you." Ava giggled, her words bubbling out faster than I could comprehend.

"Thank you." A blush fanned my cheeks at her compliment. "Go sign in," Blossom told me, before going to the kitchen. "You coming, sis?" As she said this, my eyes went wide. They were sisters?! "Chill! Hey Hugh!" Ava grinned, "How do you do this morning?" I watched as Hugh's nonchalant expression shifted into a shy smile.

"Good." He muttered before walking off. A knowing smile crossed my lips, it looks like Hugh had a little crush on her, I was definitely going to keep that a secret.

I saw Mrs M come out right after, already in a white apron. I guess she dressed the part too. "Good morning, dear. How are you?" "I'm quite alright Mrs M! I'm ready to do my best." She chuckled, her eyes forming slits. "That's the enthusiasm I love." I got an extra apron from the back, checking myself in the mirror. I was now a staff of Margret's Delight, excitement bubbled on my fingertips, my heart racing. Even if I was glad, I was equally as nervous.

What if I messed this up?

With a last glance, I walked back into the diner. It took an hour to get everything arranged, the pastries that were out of the oven had been set into the show glass, and the scent of delicious deserts warmed the atmosphere.

It didn't take long after that for customers to come. There were already two waiting on separate seats. Okay, Amelia, you can do this...I thought to myself. Was it strange that I wanted Everest to hold my hand at this moment? Tell me I could do it, and I looked pretty while doing it. Yeah...definitely strange.

Hugh was already handling the first customer, the second was still waiting, so I rushed over. Perhaps that was a bad idea because, by the time I got there, I almost tripped over my own footing, stabling myself on the table as the girl shifted in fear. "Hey, what the shit? Watch it." She scowled, eyeing me warily. I tensed.

"I...I'm so sorry! I just, my feet got stuck. You know--two left-" Her gaze hardened. "I haven't seen you before. Whatever just take my order." I cleared my throat, trying not to get nervous. "Right! My name's Amelia, it's nice to--" She arched her eyebrows, halting my words.

"Look, if you can't get straight to it, just get me another waitress. I have somewhere to be soon." She snapped, and shivers descended down my side as I felt my breathing quicken. Oh no...I just got here and I was already messing things up! "I'm sorry, I'm new and-" I began to ramble, tears brimming my eyes. As I stepped back to put some space between us, a hand rested on my shoulder, stopping me,

"What's happening here? Marylyn, hey." Preston came just in time. The girl-- Marylyn pouted, folding her arm. "I see you haven't thought about the new girl." She hummed, smirking at Preston. He chuckled. "Spare her. What would you like today? The regular?" They seemed to be acquainted.

"With a serving of blueberry cake, to go." He nodded, pulling me away as he walked. I stumbled, holding his chest so I wouldn't fall. "You okay?" He asked once we were at a safe distance. I wanted to nod and tell him everything was fine, but it wasn't. I sighed. "I just, kind of freaked out. I'm not used to this...I'm sorry."

"Hey, sunshine. No need to apologize. It's your first day, you're allowed to screw up. I'd be concerned if you didn't." I giggled at his words. "How--How am I meant to do this?" He hummed, taking me behind the show glass.

"First, we need to get her order. It's a double mocha with a whipped cream swirl and caramel drizzle. Two sets of our peanut butter cookies on the side. And what else did she ask for?" I realized it was my turn to answer so I quickly tried to remember Marylyn's order.

"Oh--uhh, a serving of blueberry cake. To go!" He grinned, patting my head. I whined, glaring playfully at Preston, it took me a while to curl my hair like this! Did he know how stubborn 4C hair could be? "See? You're getting a hang of it already."

"So, the next person that comes, you take a deep breath and plaster a smile on your face. Then say 'Welcome to Margret's delight, I'm Amelia. What can I get for you?'" He seemed so fluent in it, I smiled. "Now you try." He wanted me to...him staring so intently made me shy!

"Go on..."

"W-welcome to Margret's Delight. I...I am Amelia and what can I get for you to...today." Crud, he was probably going to look at me weirdly for stuttering so much. I put my head down, my cheeks heating up in embarrassment. "That's good. "

I looked up, shocked. "It was?"

The more you do it, the more it gets fluent."

That made sense, so, it meant I was going to be as fluent and welcoming as he was. The thought made me happy! "So, there's a customer now, I'm going to complete Marylyn's order." He tapped my shoulders reassuringly before leaving. "You can do this, Amelia. Papa would be so proud of you. Everest too..." Amelia! You're at work! Stop thinking about the man you kind of maybe already have huge feelings for! I shook my head, turning to see the customer Preston mentioned. It was a middle-aged man.

I walked over.

"Hi! Welcome to Margret's delight! M-my name's Amelia. How can I help--I mean what would you like today?" He looked away from his phone, giving me a warm smile. "Hello, Amelia. I'd like a caramel doughnut, and a cookie crumble. Do you guys sell the doughnuts in boxes too?" I look over at the counter, seeing the doughnuts were ready.

"We sure do, sir."

"Then I'd love that too." I nod, scribbling it down before shuffling over to the counter. I did it! I got served, my first client! As I told Misan -- the girl with jet black hair -- his order, I couldn't help but feel a prick in my heart when I remembered the day would end and I'd have to tell Everest about the kiss.

Kissing Darrick was a mistake, even though he said it would just be once, I felt guilt eat at me because the only man I wanted to kiss was Everest. And it scared me that I wasn't afraid to admit it.