Chapter 2
Yuki dashed across the narrow alleyway that led to Suncrust Delights, the small bakery he worked at part-time. The bell above the door jingled sharply as he pushed it open, chest heaving from the run. The sweet smell of baked goods did little to soothe the anxiety in his gut.
Behind the counter, Emi Tanaka stood with arms folded, a wooden spatula in one hand and a clipboard in the other. Her short brown bob was tucked neatly under a flour-speckled bandana, but her expression was anything but sweet.
"Twenty minutes late," she snapped without looking up. "That's a twenty percent deduction from your salary this month. Bakery will reimburse you with $150."
Yuki froze, trying to catch his breath. "$150? I'm supposed to get $300 this month. How is that a fifty percent deduction?"
Emi finally looked up, eyes narrowing as she jabbed the spatula in his direction. "Let's not forget, genius—you spilled coffee on the front counter three times last week. And, might I add, you left the cotton candy machine running two nights ago. You want to guess how much sugar crusted that thing by morning?"
Yuki groaned, dragging a hand through his hair. "You're seriously counting that? That machine was older than me!"
Emi didn't flinch. "And yet it was working perfectly fine until your brain short-circuited. Be grateful I haven't fired you yet."
He muttered something under his breath, slipping behind the counter and tying on his apron.
"What was that?" she asked.
"Nothing," he replied, grabbing a pair of tongs and stacking croissants on the display tray. "Just wondering if you wake up already annoyed or if I bring out the best in you."
Emi smirked but didn't answer. She scribbled something on her clipboard and headed toward the back. She came back soon after with perfectly packaged icing cupcake and a latte coffee. "Yuki, mind grabbing me the bakery cellphone? I have a delivery order and I'm not sure I can have it delivered before two in the afternoon. I have a class in the next thirty minutes."