Page 10 of Thanking Her Brother's Best Friends

He made a little face at me, scrunching up all his features to look like a very angry young man. "I don't like bananas."

My first instinct was to toss the banana aside and tell him he didn't need to eat it, but I tried persisting.

I wondered, sometimes, if he had any of my genes in him. Even with his usually sweet nature, Ollie could be a little stubborn when things didn't go his way.

Perhaps it was because he hadn't grown up in the same circumstances that I had. As soon as I thought this, a shiver ran up my spine. Come what may, I'd never want Ollie to experience that life or know what hunger could do to the mind.

"Just half, then?" I cajoled, trying to find a middle ground.

"But they taste mushy and yucky," he grumbled, sitting down on a chair, his face still forlorn. "Do I have to?"

I sighed and relented. "No, baby, it's okay. You can just finish your pancakes."

"Thanks, Mom!" The joy in his response was immediate. He gobbled up the hot pancakes in a jiffy. I finished my coffee and toast, and after a quick shower and change of clothes, I dropped Ollie off.

As always, he looked at me a little sadly before jumping down from the car.

"Be a good boy today!" I called out after him as he ran to catch up with a few of his friends. I hoped he'd settle into this school because this was his third change in the last two years.

He was subjected to relentless bullying in the first, and the media kept finding ways to invade his privacy in the second.

This time, though, I'd made a pact with the principal where my son's security and freedom were to be given paramount importance. He deserved to enjoy his childhood like a normal kid.

I planned out the rest of my day on the way toPâtisserie du Ciel. I didn't have much on the agenda, but that was most welcome. Slow days had become so rare I'd come to love and cherish them. I'd probably kick back with a good book and a chilled beer in the evening.

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air as I stepped into my cozy little shop. My team greeted me with wide smiles and sleepy eyes.

"Morning, team!" I said, grabbing a cup of coffee and taking a hearty sip. "Today, we're going to bake like never before. We're going to push the boundaries of flavor and create something truly extraordinary!"

My team exchanged excited glances. Martha, our talented baker with a knack for whimsical creations, spoke up first. "Selene, I've been tinkering with a recipe for lavender-infused croissants. How about we give it a try?"

I inclined my head, intrigued by the idea. "Sounds delightful, Martha! Let's sprinkle some magic in our croissants today."

As we mixed and kneaded, laughter filled the kitchen. Sofia, our ever-enthusiastic intern, couldn't contain her excitement. "What if we make a cupcake that tastes like a rainbow and shoots out confetti when you take a bite?"

I laughed. "What does a rainbow taste like, though? Give me your ideas."

"Sweet, tart, maybe even a little fluffy!" she responded immediately.

I nodded. "Brilliant! Let's call it the 'Confetti Explosion Cupcake'. We can make marshmallow fluff on top of each piece for that cloudy moreish mouthfeel. And maybe add a citrus lemon curd inside each of them.

"As for the confetti, I'm thinking sprinkles, but I don't want something too sugary. Come on, shoot me."

This meant the team was to bombard me with ideas, which they did. I hadn't felt this active in a while, mostly because my thoughts had been fixed on Aiden, Dominic, and Niall.

It still frustrated me beyond measure that I was dreaming about them. In fact, last night, I happened to see a dream where they had covered me in whipped cream.

Of course, I was buck naked besides the cream. And it didn't end there. The mere things I'd dreamed made me blush, standing there in the kitchen.

"What are you thinking, Boss?" Chloe asked, giving me a suspicious look-over. "Got anyone in mind that you want to surprise with these pastries? Is that why you're so excited about ‘em?"

I tossed an apron in her direction, and the others laughed.

We continued our pastry revolution. There were macarons infused with exotic spices, a tart with a burst of mango salsa, and éclairs with a savory twist of blue cheese and pear.

Finally, as the sun began its descent, I stumbled upon my masterpiece—a creamy matcha cheesecake with a delicate strawberry glaze. It was a harmonious blend of earthy and sweet, a taste that sent shivers down my spine.

"Team!" I cried out, holding the cheesecake triumphantly. "This is it! The Holy Grail of pastries! We shall call it 'The Zen Master'. If this doesn't bring enlightenment, I don't know what will."

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