Page 11 of Sweet Dreams

"Close," Zack said. "It's actually—"

Beth's phone pinged again. She glanced at it reflexively.

Yuri:"Power? Ha! The only thing going to my head is the fumes from all this ink. Save me, moye solnyshko. Tell me a sweet story. Preferably one involving less paperwork and more frosting."

Beth bit her lip to keep from grinning like an idiot.

"Um, Beth?" Zack's voice brought her back to reality. "You okay there?"

"What? Oh, yeah. Sorry, Zack. You were saying? About the coffee?"

Zack's smile dimmed slightly. "Right. It's star anise. Adds a subtle licorice note. I was thinking maybe we could collaborate on a coffee-flavored holiday cookie to go with it?"

"That sounds great," Beth said, already texting a reply to Yuri.

Beth:"Once upon a time, there was a dashing baker who tragically burnt her gingerbread men to a crisp because a charming foreigner distracted her. The end. Moral of the story? Texting and baking don't mix."

"So, what do you think?" Zack asked, looking at her expectantly.

Beth blinked. "About what?"

Zack's brow furrowed. "The cookie collaboration? For the Christmas market?"

"Oh! Right. Yes, definitely. Let's set up a time to brainstorm. Maybe next week?"

Zack nodded, but he was eyeing her curiously. "Everything okay, Beth? You seem a little... distracted."

Beth forced a bright smile. "Everything's great! Just busy with holiday orders, you know how it is."

Her phone pinged again. Beth's hand twitched towards it, but she resisted. Zack didn't look entirely convinced, but he let it go.

"Alright, well, I'll let you get back to it. Let me know when you want to get together for that brainstorming session."

Beth snatched up her phone as soon as the door closed behind him.

Yuri:"Ah, the tragic tale of the Gingerbread Massacre. I weep for their little cookie souls. Perhaps we should hold a memorial? I'll bring the vodka; you bring the frosting. We can give them a proper send-off."

Beth giggled, earning a pointed look from Reese.

"What?" Beth defended. "He's funny!"

Reese shook her head, amused. "Uh-huh. You know, for someone who's 'just having fun,' you're awfully smitten."

Beth opened her mouth to argue, then closed it. Was she smitten? The thought was both thrilling and terrifying.

Her phone buzzed again, this time with an incoming video call. Yuri's name flashed on the screen. Beth's heart did a little flip.

"I, uh, need to take this," she said to Reese. "In my office. For... business reasons."

Reese snorted. "Right. 'Business.' Have fun with your 'business call,' boss."

Beth stuck out her tongue childishly, then hurried to her tiny office in the back. She closed the door, took a deep breath, and answered the call.

Yuri's face filled the screen, his blue eyes crinkling as he smiled. "Privet, moye solnyshko. I hope I'm not interrupting your great gingerbread revival?"

Beth laughed, settling into her chair. "You're safe. The great gingerbread massacre of 2024 is behind us. We're in full recovery mode now."

"Excellent news," Yuri nodded solemnly. "I was worried I'd have to organize a rescue mission. Although," he leaned in, "I wouldn't mind swooping in to save the day. I've always wanted to be a hero."

---