Page 38 of Batter Up!

“Yeah, I think so,” I said. Tuesday morning seemed to be a busy morning since we were closed on Monday, and people wanted their caffeine and morning sweets.

“Well, hi,” Penelope said as one of Tyler’s teammates I recognized from the bar the first night and from the ball games came through the door.

“Hayden, right?” I asked.

“Yeah, hi, Molly. I know you asked my boy for some space, and he’s been trying to be respectful of that. He asked me to come in and find out what your favorite color is.”

“Purple,” Penelope blurted.

“Pen!”

“Thanks, Pen,” Hayden said with a grin at my assistant. “Ty’s favorite color is blue. And for what it's worth, he’s an amazing guy. He’s not only a good friend but the best teammate. He studies other players and works out twice as much as the rest of us on the team. He’s going places.”

“I know he’s very talented,” I said with a sigh. “You’re a good friend. Can I get you any baked goods or coffee?”

“I think I’ll take one of those chocolate croissants and a black coffee, please.”

“Do you, um, think you could give Tyler something for me?” I asked as I pulled the strawberry scone out of the nut-free case that I had just filled.

Hayden’s grin widened, “I will. My guy’s not totally in the dog house, is he?”

I saw Penelope shaking her head in my peripheral vision and just rolled my eyes. “Whose side are you on?” I asked her as I tried, but failed, to give her an intimidating glare.

“Yours, Moll,” she said with a shrug. “Nice meeting you, Hayden.”

“You, too. See you ladies later.”

A few other customers came in after he left, and I was busy helping them when I didn’t even notice a guy wearing a Raptor’s jacket was at the counter.

“Hi, can I help you?”

“Hi. I’m Jude Fox and I’m one of Stone’s teammates. This is for you.” He handed me a bouquet of various purple flowers, including hydrangea, carnation, daisy, and lily.

“Oh my gosh,” I said as I brought the flowers up to my nose and smiled as I took in the sweet, fragrant smells. “Thank you.”

“Yeah, uh, he wants to know… hold on a sec,” Jude said as he dug into the pocket of his jacket. “Do you prefer a bath or a shower?”

“Getting a little personal, aren’t you, Fox?” Penelope asked as she was putting together another customer's order.

“I, uh, no. I’m just doing what Stone asked me to. I told that asshole I didn’t want to do this, and I would be horrible at it.”

Penelope and I both started laughing. “Thank you, Jude. You’re doing a great job. I prefer baths. Especially after standing on my feet all day baking and taking orders.”

He nodded and high-tailed it out of the bakery without even ordering anything.

About half an hour later, another Raptors teammate came in holding a small gift bag. “Hi. This is for you," he said. “Stone wants to know if you prefer manicures, pedicures, or massages?”

“Wow, you didn’t even have to look at your note,” Penelope commented. “Good for you.”

The player shrugged. “I have four sisters, so I know all about nailcare.”

“I would probably say pedicure since the hot towels they put on your legs while they paint your toenails sound amazing right now.”

“Yes!” Penelope agreed. “That really is the best part.”

“Do you think I could order four cheesecake danishes? Fox was an idiot and forgot to order food. Stone said he wanted to give you business, too.”

I nodded with a small smile, boxed up his danishes, and thanked him.

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