Page 1 of Icing on Top
Wine for Dinner
Nova
37 Days until New Year’s Eve
With a sigh, I slumped against the front counter of my cupcake shop, Icing on Top. It was Thanksgiving, and I was waiting for the last of my customers to pick up their orders. Not that I had any special plans to rush home to. Unless you considered a bottle of wine “special plans.” My eyes drifted to the box of Christmas decorations against the wall. I could always do something useful since I would be here for the next few hours. I moved the box to a table and opened it. I would handle the outdoor decorations tomorrow, but there wasn’t any reason why I couldn’t get the inside of the cupcake shop festive.
I was still decorating long after the shop should have closed, but I had one final customer who still needed to pick up their order. Just as I taped off the end of the silver garland I had lined the counter with, the door opened, and I turned expecting to see Dave, but instead, it was Bree.
I wouldn’t consider us best friends, but we were friendly enough. She worked across the street at Caffeinated Charm, our local coffee shop. “Nova, what are you still doing at work?” she asked. “Even we’ve closed up shop for the day,” she said as she held out a to-go cup. “I saw you were here and thought I would give you your final pumpkin fix until next year.”
I took the cup from her and held it under my nose, inhaling the delicious smell of the pumpkin spice latte. “You’re a gem,” I told her, taking a tentative sip. “I still maintain that pumpkin is a Christmas flavor, too.”
She rolled her eyes at my familiar argument. She had heard it many times before, usually around this time of year. “Unfortunately for you, the owner disagrees. Now, stop avoiding the question. Why are you still here? That cute boyfriend of yours must be waiting for you at home.”
I grimaced. “I have one more order that needs to be picked up today, and the only thing waiting for me at home is a chicken and a bottle of wine,” I told her.
She tilted her head curiously. “What happened to the boyfriend?”
“He decided two days ago that he wasn’t interested in continuing our relationship,” I replied, tapping my cup with my nails.
“That bastard. And right before Thanksgiving was when he had this epiphany?” I appreciated how angry she was getting for me. I should focus on making time for her and developing a deeper friendship. I’ve been in such a fog lately that everything outside of Paul has fallen to the wayside.
“Yup.” I took another sip of my coffee.
“Well, he’s a fucking idiot, and he never deserved you,” she stated.
I smiled at her support. “Thanks, girl, and thanks for the coffee. Do you have any big holiday plans?”
“Not really. I invited my boss over since he didn’t have plans, but I’m not sure he will come. He’s a little strange,” she replied.
“Obviously, if he thinks pumpkin is only a Fall flavor,” I replied.
The door opened, and Dave walked in. “I’m sorry for being late, Miss Nova!” he said hurriedly. “I lost track of time down at the Drunken Duck.”
“It’s fine, Dave. I was decorating the shop for Christmas, so I was here anyway,” I assured him as I grabbed his bag from behind the counter and handed it to him.
“I really appreciate you making these for my Belle,” Dave said as he accepted the bag.
“It’s my pleasure, Dave. Happy Thanksgiving, and tell your Belle I also said Happy Thanksgiving.”
“Yes, ma’am, I will,” he replied as he left the shop.
“Old Man Dave was the customer you were waiting on?” Bree asked.
“He was.”
“Did you even charge him?”
“Nope. And his cupcakes were a special flavor,” I smiled.
Bree shook her head and rolled her eyes. “You’re too nice sometimes, you know that?”
“Perhaps. Dave sleeps at that bookstore, Timeless Pages. He came in asking for the owner’s niece’s favorite cupcakes as a gift to show his appreciation since it is the day to give thanks,” I replied as I started shutting down the shop. “He wanted to pay, but I wouldn’t let him.”
“And that’s what makes you too nice sometimes,” Bree laughed as she stepped forward and hugged me quickly. “Never change. Happy Thanksgiving, Nova.”
“You too, Bree.” I watched her leave and then gathered my purse. I made sure that the back door was locked and that everything was turned off, and then I stepped outside. I inhaled the cool air deeply. It smelled like snow. The smell of snow instantly made me feel warm and fuzzy inside. Snow and the holiday season brought so many beautiful memories of the past back to me. All of that was over now.
