"It's someone's birthday at that place every week and they do this thing called mid-Tuesday treats where-"

"They eat treats mid-Tuesday's just because, Yeah I've heard of it but mine is called mid-everyday treat because I'm surrounded by them and I can't be stopped" he points to the cases full of desserts "but this is amazing! Thank you, Julian"


"I didn't do anything, you're good." Making me take off my jacket and tie Chase asks me to roll up my sleeves as we walk to the kitchen

"what's happening?" I ask seeing the tables covered with baking stuff "We're gonna bake" he smiles

"What?" I scoff chuckling "no that's a bad idea especially on my part"


"You've never baked before?" "No, and I never planned on it"

"Well you are tonight come on let's wash our hands" "Chase seriously this is a bad idea"


"Relax" he walks over to me pushing me to the sink "I'm a professional I won't let you burn my

kitchen down." After we wash our hands he hands me an apron "put this one" I stare at him "it's part of the process, you won't feel like a baker unless you wear the apron"

Shaking my head I tie it around my waist "what next?" "We start here, we're making cupcakes"

"What do I do?"

"You're gonna make the icing while I work on the batter, just follow those directions" he points to the sheet "it's pretty easy"

"All right." We both start to work on opposite sides of the table "So what does being on retainer intel?"

"Baking for the company every time they ask, big monthly checks. It'll basically be a partnership, I can draw up a contract"

"Sounds so official" "It is"

"Does your company have any other places on retainer?"

"My bosses favorite coffee place makes our coffee every day, the bagel place on 9th"

"Bob's Bagels?" I nod "I love that place! You know the cashier's name is actually Tina? How funny is that?!" I stare at him blankly as he laughs "you know because..." he waits for me to get it and I don't "the tv show"

"What TV show?"

He gasps "Julian no! You've never watched Bob's Burgers?" "Never even heard of it"

"Wow, that- wow I don't even know how to reply to that."

After putting the trays with batter in the oven we stand next to each other against one of the tables as he shows me the cartoon on his phone "I don't get it"

"It's nothing to get Julian they're a family who owns a burger shop that's it" he's smiling I look up at him from the phone "is Tina a man?"

He laughs "who knows" putting his phone away he asks "what kind of cartoons are you into?"

"Not really into cartoons or television for that matter"

"Let me guess, you're a reader?" I nod shamefully "absolutely nothing wrong with that I wish I read more but books are like a sleeping pill to me"

"Yeah my sister hates them too"

"You have a sister?" I nod "what's her name? What's she like?"

"Leena and she's younger, didn't really like college either she wanted to go to beauty school instead, she loves it. Says she likes to help people find their best selves"

"She sounds smart"

"She is I think she'd like you" I know she'd like him

"What do you think your parents would say if they met me?"

"My mom would probably pass out" he laughs "I'm not kidding she judges everything it's sad, and my dad would just try to tell you stories to sound cool."

"They sound like normal parents, my parents are type A people too so I was a complete shock to them. When I came out to them the first thing my mom asked was what are you doing"

"That's it?"

"She physically did not know what was happening, then she said going to college would make me straight" he chuckles "Yeah right."

"We can switch parents if you want no promises mine would like you" "I know mine would love you."

After baking the cupcakes and decorating them of course mine are terrible, Chase boxes some up for me "thank you" I say as I put my jacket on.

"Anytime" leaving the kitchen he walks me to the front door "Are you sure you don't want me to stay and help you clean up?"

"No it's ok I like to take my time cleaning and you need time to figure out how you feel about me" "How do you know I don't already know how I feel?"

"You would've kissed me, it's practically all I thought about doing since you came" "Of course I want to kiss you Chase but I wasn't going to do it without asking" "Such a gentleman" he smiles "ask me"

"Can I-" his lips are already on mine. We stand in his shop as I taste the icing on his lips

After he pulls away he blushes "sorry I didn't mean to just..." "No it's ok, can we talk tomorrow?"

"Of course I'll call you" "Good night Chase" "Bye Julian."