Brad walked into the cat room and immediately spotted the girl in question, sitting on the floor with her mom as three of the cats sniffed her and she giggled. The tableau made Brad’s heart swell a little from the cuteness.
He was surprised to see Lindsay sitting in the room, too. She sipped from a mug and gave him a meaningful look. He held up a finger, hoping to convey that he’d be with her shortly.
He walked over to the little girl. “Hi,” he said, kneeling. “I’m Brad, I’m the baker here. Monique up front told me that you wanted a cupcake.”
The girl’s whole face lit up. “Are they ready?”
“They are! Would you like me to help you get one?”
The girl was on her feet immediately. She looked like she was maybe four or five, and her mom smiled at her indulgently as Brad led them back up front. When he pointed out the cupcakes in the case, the girl said, “Mama, those cupcakes look like cats!”
“I know, honey pie.” The mom turned to Monique and handed her a few dollars. “Can you put one of those cupcakes on a plate and give me a couple of forks?”
“Not a problem,” said Monique.
“What’s your name again?” the little girl asked Brad.
“Brad.”
“Brad the baker!” The girl giggled. “I’m Tanisha.”
“It’s very nice to meet you, Tanisha.”
“Did you make those cupcakes?”
“I did.”
“Why did you make them look like cats?”
“Well, we’re in a cat café, aren’t we?”
The girl giggled again. “Yes.”
Mom had her cupcake in hand and held out a hand for Tanisha. “Come along, honey. Let’s go eat this.” She turned to Brad. “Thanks for letting us know.”
Brad turned to Monique as the mom and daughter walked back into the cat room. “I was a little worried the mom would yell at me for plying her daughter with sweets.”
“No, she was disappointed we were out of cupcakes. That’s why I sent you back there. I knew we’d get the sale.”
Brad tapped his temple. “Smart.” He took a deep breath. “Did you know Lindsay was back there?”
Monique shrugged.
Brad sighed and walked back into the cat room and sat at the table with Lindsay. “I’m still on the clock, but I can take a few minutes.”
“Sorry. I did want to talk to you about something, but we don’t have to right now.”
“I’m gonna wonder about it if you don’t give me a preview.”
Lindsay smiled. “I’m actually just working here.”
“Oh, well, then—”
“Well, I’ve got a potential opportunity to go back into restaurant work, and I’m seriously considering taking it. And I was wondering if you’d be interested in coming with me. Like, if I take this job as executive chef, would you be interested in executive pastry chef?”
“I mean…sure, in theory. I’m training my assistants today in an effort to have them take over more of the daily work so I can take more time off. I worked seven days a week the first month I was here, did you know that?”
Lindsay nodded. “I did know that. Burnout catching up with you?”
