Resolutions
Can Cassie resist?
Cassie stood outside the bakery store staring into the window. Anyone passing by would probably think she was pondering which of the enticing sweet treats to buy. Last year they would have been right – but they didn’t know about the resolution Cassie had made recently.
She had walked past the bakery several times since then, but hadn’t gone in. Now here she stood. She never dreamed that keeping her resolution would be this hard. Should she? Shouldn’t she? Cassie headed inside. There were several people in the queue waiting to be served and as the line grew shorter, her stomach churned. Coffee. She’d just order a coffee, that’s all.
While waiting, her cell phone beeped. A text from her sister, Jess.
Goodtiming, Cassie typed. Guess whereIam? Jess was the only person she had told about her resolution. The bakery café. Have you gone in? In queue. What should I do? Only you can decide. Jess wrote. Picture yourself in twelve months time. If you break your resolution, will you look back with regrets? Good question. Would she? Last year, coming here after work helped her unwind. Mrs Watson baked everything herself from scratch, recipes handed down from her mother. Her son, Nick, helped run the place.
It was usually Nick who served Cassie on Fridays. He had a personality as sweet as the treats in the shop, and if her regular visits were also an excuse to chat to Nick, could anyone blame her? He was always able to make her smile no matter how tiring or stressful her week had been.
“He’s single, you know,” Mrs Watson said once, winking at Cassie. “And he’s nearly thirty – it’s about time he settled down if you ask me.”
Nick had been within earshot. Instead of being embarrassed he put his arm around his mum and smiled.
“Don’t scare the customers away, especially not my favourite one.”
Yes – there was so much Cassie liked about Nick.
Soon it was her turn to be served. “Hi, Cassie.” Nick smiled. “You’ve not been in for a while. The usual today?”
There was a smudge of flour on his cheek and she resisted the urge to reach out and brush it away. Her nerves buzzed. She wanted to keep her resolution but… Seconds ticked by silently. She took a deep breath. “No. Just coffee today, thanks.” He raised an eyebrow. “I’m not actually hungry at the moment. Really.”
“No problem. I’ll bring your coffee over when it’s ready.”
Cassie sat down. It wasn’t long before Nick placed her coffee on the table, and also a plate with what looked suspiciously like chocolate cake. “Oh, but I didn’t order the cake.” “I know, but I’m hoping you can help me out. I noticed the first few weeks after every New Year, sales of cakes drop off. I’m sure it’s because everyone’s made resolutions to get healthier.
“Not that I think you have to,” he blurted, “you’re perfect as you are…” She’d never seen him flustered. It made him even cuter than he already was.
“What I’m trying to say is, I’ve created a low-fat, low sugar, low calorie version of our chocolate cake. Could you taste it and give me your opinion, please?” It certainly looked delicious. “Low calorie? Sounds too good to be true.” She took a bite. “Mmmm, so good.”
“Thanks. We’ll make them a regular item then. Now customers won’t need to keep away if they’d made resolutions.”
“Are you always so determined not to lose customers?”
“Actually, Cassie, I’m only determined not to lose you.” He looked into her eyes. “When you stopped coming in, I realised how much I missed you.”
They were the sweetest words she had ever heard. Her nerves disappeared.
“You know, I made a resolution,” Cassie admitted. “It wasn’t to go on a health kick though. My resolution was to ask you something… Would you like to go out to dinner with me?”
“Now there’s a coincidence.” Nick smiled. “That’s exactly what I was going to ask you next. Tomorrow night?” “It’s a date.” Cassie watched him head back to the counter knowing in twelve months she’d have no regrets now. In fact, her heart suspected the year would be filled with sweet surprises.