Page 26 of Just for the Holidays

“Isn’t this your business now?” Nichol questions, indulging another sip.

“It is… but she had a good thing going.” Teddy shrugs. “I want to honor that.”

Nichol sips coffee and sucks air through his teeth. “That’s sweet,” he says, then adds, “We can get started after we’ve finished our coffee."

“Okay, sounds good,” Teddy chuckles.

Nichol sips slowly, cradling his cup in both hands, with elbows on the counter as Teddy leans against the work table in the center of the kitchen, staring at the floor waiting for Nichol to finish.

The front door jingles open.

“Good morning Mr. Butler.” Teddy straightens up and smiles, tossing his empty cup into the trash bin.

“Good morning, gentlemen.” The principal steps up to the counter and pats Nichol on the shoulder.

“The cookies and cupcakes were a hit yesterday, Theodore.” He readies his wallet. “Do we have doughnuts today… and possibly more of those chocolate chip cookies?”

“Sure do!” Teddy shuffles around the kitchen, gathering the order, neatly packing a box of fresh doughnuts, and collecting a box of cookies from the fridge. He sets them next to the cash register and moves to the coffee pot. “Can you ring Mr. Butler up for $20, Nichol?”

“Of course.” Nichol rises from the stool, smiling pleasantly, rounding the counter, and tapping the register open. “You heard the man Mr. B.”

The principal hands Nichol a bill and collects the boxes, tucking them under his arm.

Teddy delivers his usual cup of coffee with a “thank you.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow.” Mr. Butler turns the doorknob, pulling it open with a jingle, as Meghan Connor slips past him. “Ms. Connor.” The principal fans an arm to welcome the school’s math department head into the shop.

“Hi, Gary.” The smiley woman with squinting eyes and a frizzy ponytail, wearing a green corduroy pencil skirt and beige knee-high boots adjusts her wire-rimmed glasses while shaking off the cold.

“They've got fresh doughnuts today.” Mr. Butler rolls his shoulder to present the boxes under his arm.

“Great,” Meghan chimes. “I need to order a cake, after having one of those delicious treats yesterday.” She turns to Teddy and Nichol.

Mr. Butler carries on, out the door, and down the sidewalk.

“What do you have in mind?” Teddy reaches around Nichol, brushing against his shoulder, to gather a notepad and pencil.

Nichol assesses the young math teacher, noting a tiny bisexual pride pin tacked to the strap of her canvas messenger bag.

“It’s for my and my boyfriend’s anniversary in two weeks. He loves devil’s food cake and I was thinking of an oozy chocolate ganache glaze… If that’s possible?”

“Mmm,” Nichol hums with a smirk. “That sounds naughty.”

Meghan raises a brow and winks. “He’s my little devil.”

Nichol growls under his breath and nudges Teddy’s rib with an elbow.

The baker flushes as crimson as red velvet cake and clears his throat. “Absolutely,” he smiles awkwardly.

Nichol wraps an arm over Teddy’s shoulders, pointing at his chest, “This man’s cake is the best I’ve ever had,” he says, with a wink.

Meghan cackles aloud, throwing her head back and tucking a frizzy tendril behind her ear. “I’ll take half a dozen of those glazed doughnuts and a coffee today too.”

“Coming right up.” Nichol squeezes Teddy’s shoulder and spins on a heel toward the cash register. “What’s her total boss man?” he asks, smirking.

“Umm…” Teddy pauses, chewing the well-used eraser tip of his pencil, calculates the order, and writes it on the slip, before handing it to Nichol.

“It’s sixty-five today.” Nichol charms Meghan with a warm smile, like they’ve known each other for years, as he taps the register open with a ding that echoes through the little shop.

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