A/N: before we get started I want to say a big thank you to BlueLight319Fr for the amazing cover she put together for this story. Thanks for your hard work dear, I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart 💜
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"Good morning world! let's get this day started!" My body involuntarily jerked as I groaned in annoyance at the intrusion of the overexcited voice blaring from the clock radio. Rolling over, my arm thoughtlessly snakes out from under the warm blankets, my hand landing hard against the plastic button. Silence finally filled the room around me as I took note of the angry red numbers on the clock, 4:00am. Closing my eyes for the briefest of moments and filling my lungs with the fresh air of a new day before  flinging the blankets back and and getting started.

These early mornings had become the norm, and sometimes it wasn't even early morning, just a continuation of an even longer night than expected, but I've never been happier. After a quick shower, I grabbed my large purse, and filled a travel mug with coffee before running out the door my townhouse. Life has been crazy the last few years, but I've finally found the happiness I've been looking for.  These morning walks to work have allowed me time to contemplate life and evaluate my goals over the last 8 months since I moved into the townhouse, even if it was only a six block walk. As I approached the back of the small building I pulled the silver keys from my pocket, unlocking the heavy grey door before stepping inside. Before I could even flip the switch on the lights I was hit in the face with the warm smells of vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Without fail those warm inviting scents made me smile every morning, and today was no exception. Strolling through the building like I own the place, I throw my purse down in the office before returning to the kitchen. A smile pulls at my lips.

"I do own this place." My words an excited laugh as I start pulling out ingredients and making a plan of attack for the early morning.

"Morning boss!" I look up from the large pile of dough on the stainless steel table in front of me that I've been dividing into perfectly sized pieces.

"Morning David!" Glancing at the clock, it's now 6:25am. "How was your weekend?" Returning my attention to the dough I'm still working through.

"Oh not too bad." David walked over to me, wrapping his white apron around his waist before he started helping to work through the dough. Over the next thirty minutes or so the rest of my staff arrived and another hectic day started. David and Erin worked the back, keeping the ovens and mixers going, churning out a variety of delicious goodies for the case in the shop. The shop was staffed by Cassie and a young woman who I'd recently hired on, part time, named Tiffany. I floated around the shop stepping in where help was needed, between my office, the kitchen, and the shop. The shop stayed busy for a late October morning, people wandering in and leaving with small bags or boxes. I lost track of time and before I knew it my 11am appointment strolled through the door.

A tallish man, with a larger build, dressed in a crisp black suit, and with a stride that spoke of a man on a mission approached the counter.

"Good morning! My name is Sydney. Are you looking for something particular today?" My voice matched the eager smile on my face as I glanced with pride over at the pastry display.

"Hi. Actually I have an appointment to speak with the owner." His deep voice boomed as his stature told me it would as he glanced over my shoulder, obviously looking for the owner, making me laugh to myself.

"Tony? I'm the owner." Coming around the counter I presented my hand as I watched the briefest moment of confusion play out over his soft features before his bulky hand wrapped around mine in a firm hand shake.

"I'm sorry I guess... I just expected..." he stumbled over his words slightly as I smiled knowingly.

"It's ok, lots of people do that" we shared a quick laugh as I led him to one of the few small bistro tables in the shop. "So you said on the phone you wanted to talk about a speciality order?" I inquired as we sat down.

"Yes," he shifted his shoulders, trying to get comfortable in the small metal chair, "I know based on what I've heard you don't do catering, however, my employer is looking to place a large order for an event he'll be hosting." I nodded as I started taking notes on the pad of paper I'd brought to the table with me.

"Ok. Well give me all the details. Type of event. How many people. What is your employer looking for exactly? Tell me everything and we will find a way to make this work." A hearty laugh rumbled from his barrel chest.

"Now that's the type of can do attitude you need to work with my employer." He laughed again, a bright smile raising his lips for a moment before clearing his throat and returning to business. "Ok, my employer doesn't really do holidays, however he wants to hold a party around the middle of November to thank his staff and current crew."

"Ok." Encouraging him to continue as I scribbled notes.

"It's not really a Thanksgiving event, but he does still want there to be the typical Thanksgiving foods."

"So pies I'm guessing. If you know how many people will be there I can give you an idea of how many pies you'll need."

"Well we already know what we want and how many actual. See my employer is very specific about things and he heard this was the place to go. I just really need to make sure you can handle an order of this size." Wiggling my pen between the index and middle finger on my right hand, I cocked an eyebrow at him.  "We have about 150 people attending." My expression changed without my consent, eliciting a small laugh from him.

"That's a hell of a lot of staff if you're employer is just one man." He nodded with a grin on his face. "So give me the specifics on the order."

"He wants three types of pie. Pumpkin, pecan, and sweet potato" hurriedly making notes as he spoke. "he wants exactly 75 individual pies of each type and one large, I guess regular size pie of each, that way it will look good for presentation." He was silent for a moment as I finished writing, and working through in my mind the time and cost this would involve. Drawing a quick sketch I could see the layout in my head. Small pumpkin pies all set out with the larger one in the middle and elevated off the table. His employer was right, that would make for a very nice presentation.

"One pumpkin pie, plus 75 individuals. One pecan pie, plus 75 individuals. And one sweet potato pie, plus 75 individuals. What's what we're looking at?" My voice slightly incredulous as I really hadn't expected an order quite this large or involved when I'd set this meeting up.

"Oh, and one apple pie."

"Just one large pie? No individuals?" He shook his head.

"Just the one. This is a special request from my employer just for him. He said something about having an amazing apple pie years ago and he's trying to find something similar." Tony's dark eyes were laughing about the whole thing, but his demeanor was completely professional.

"Ok, well sounds like a man that knows what he wants. Now I hate to ask, but what's your employers budget? Because this isn't gonna be cheap Tony." The biggest smile I seen on him yet appeared, as he leaned forward across the table, bringing his face closer to mine as if he had a secret to share.

"Well Sydney the party is two weeks from Saturday. Now you just tell me how much it's gonna take to make this happen and we'll get that bill paid right now." After another 30 minutes or so of talking about a little bit of everything, I finally disappeared into my office to print up a contract and formal invoice for his employer.

"Hey girl," Cassie peeked her head into my office, "found yourself a boyfriend out there?" She asked while jumping her eyebrows suggestively.

"Now you know I don't relationships, haven't since college," I grabbed the invoice off the printer, "but if that man showed up at my door I sure as hell wouldn't turn him away. Might even keep him locked away for a whole weekend." We both laughed as I walked passed her and out into the shop.

"Ok Tony," he walked over meeting me at the counter, "here's the invoice and I have to ask, who is your employer?"

"He actually prefers to not have his name thrown around, so we'll have to just keep it at that. Hope that's ok." He looked almost apologetic.

"That's ok. Here," picking up a business card, I flipped it over writing my cell number on the back before handing it over to him, "if there are any changes or you need to reach me for any reason, there's my personal number." He blushed slightly looking at my number.

"I'll keep this someplace safe." He said before flipping the card back over. "Who is the business named after?"

"Just a friend I lost a long time ago who had a heck of a sweet tooth." Before he could say anything else another customer came through the door and Tiffany stepped up to the counter to greet them.

"Welcome to Jamie's Sweets! How can I help you?"