Page 24 of Caffeinated in Amesbury
I stepped onto the frost-kissed sidewalk, her breath forming delicate clouds as I exhaled. A dusting of snow clung to the quaint shop windows, each one beckoning with the warmth of pre-Christmas buzz.
"Defrosted Bakery," I mused, a smile tugging at my lips. "Can't have a book event without their famous gingerbread men."
"Or her cinnamon swirls," Cole added, appearing beside her with an armful of poinsettias, his cheeks flushed from the cold. "I've seen people fight over those."
"Then it's settled." I pushed open the door to the bakery, the bell chiming our arrival as a gust of warm, sugary air enveloped us. "Jen, we come bearing business and good tidings!"
The baker, a flour-dusted apron clinging to her, emerged from the back, eyes twinkling like the fairy lights strung above the counter. "Felicity, dear! And Cole! What brings you into my little corner of sugar heaven?"
"We're hosting a series of holiday-themed literary events at Caffeinated Bliss," I began. "And we'd be honored if you could provide some of your Christmas specialties to make the evenings even more magical."
"Say no more, love," Jen beamed, clasping her hands together. "How does a 'Book and Bake' sale sound? Pair every purchase with a treat, and you've got yourself a deal."
"Brilliant!" I clapped my hands together. "It's like the sugar plum fairy heard our wishes."
Leaving the bakery with promises of spiced delights dancing in our heads, my mind turned to spreading the word far and wide. The festive treats were but one piece of the puzzle; now we needed the surrounding town’s eyes on our efforts.
Back at Caffeinated Bliss, surrounded by half-strung garlands and the comforting aroma of coffee, I unfurled a poster across a table. It boasted bold letters against a backdrop of snowflakes and book spines, each title carefully chosen for its nod to winter wonder.
"Needs more glitter," Thomas mused, examining the poster like a rare artifact.
"Everything needs more glitter according to you," I retorted with a laugh, though my fingers reached for a tube of adhesive sparkle.
"Social media next," Cole reminded me, wiping his hands on a cloth. "You're the queen of captions, Felicity. Make it snappy."
"Let's see..." I tapped my lip, deep in thought. My phone screen lit up as I typed, the soft clicks punctuating the silence. "'Get lost in a winter wonderland of words at Caffeinated Bliss. Warm drinks, sweet treats, and tales to thaw even the coldest hearts.'"
"Sounds like a Hallmark card," Thomas chuckled, taking the glitter from my hand and dousing the poster with a generous shower.
"Exactly," I shot back, hitting 'post' with a flourish. "We're aiming for cozy and heartwarming, remember?"
As I looked around the cafe, now buzzing with preparations, there was a familiar thrill of a challenge being met head-on. These events weren't just about saving a business—they were about kindling the joy of the season, one page and one pastry at a time.
Here's to hoping the power of social media and Jen’s legendary pastries do the trick.
"Did you just talk to the posters?" Cole teased, catching her off guard.
"Maybe I did," I admitted with mock indignation, blue eyes sparkling with mischief. "After all, every bit of encouragement helps—even if it's to inanimate objects."
"Then let's encourage everyone within a ten-mile radius to fall in love with books and coffee all over again," Thomas declared, raising his glue-stick like a conductor's baton.
"Agreed," I nodded, my gaze locking onto the newly minted flyers and posts that would soon sing our invitation through the streets of the beloved town. "This Christmas, Caffeinated Bliss will be the place where stories—and perhaps a few romances—begin."The snowflakes, like delicate whispers from the sky, settled on my coat as I stepped out from the warm embrace of Caffeinated Bliss into the crisp December air. My breath fogged before me, and the festive jingle of a nearby shop’s Christmas music sounded like a quaint backdrop to my determined march down Main Street.
"Alright, Felicity, time to charm the press," I muttered to myself, rehearsing my pitch with each puff of visible breath. I could almost hear the click-clack of my New York heels against the sidewalk—replaced now by the soft crunch of snow beneath my boots.
My first stop was the local radio station, where the jolly receptionist barely lifted his head from a sea of tangled Christmas lights. "Felicity! Here for the 10'o'clock spot?"
"Indeed, Ted," I replied, shaking off the snow and smoothing down my hair. "Ready to spread some literary cheer."
"Then straight through to studio two. Break a leg!"
Inside the booth, my voice danced across the airwaves, a symphony of enthusiasm and persuasion. "Come one, come all—to a holiday haven of spellbinding stories and aromatic coffee that would make Santa himself swoon," I announced with a flourish that felt both rehearsed and spontaneous.
"Sounds festive, Felicity!" the DJ chuckled. "We'll make sure everyone tunes in for those book events at Caffeinated Bliss."
"Much appreciated, Barry. Remember, it's not just about the books; it's about creating memories that will keep you warm through winter!"
Exiting the station, I checked my phone, noticing several notifications from social media—the digital buzz growing louder with every passing hour. Satisfied, I couldn't help but let out a small chuckle, imagining the town's collective curiosity peaking with every shared post and liked photo.
