Loaf at First Sight
Part of meet cute Mondays
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"Mom, can't you just tell him he's being ridiculous? He can't storm out of the kitchen every time I try a new recipe," Tom said in frustration.
"Your father is very stubborn. He will get there eventually. He doesn't like change." Gina said.
She patted his arm sympathetically until the pair looked up when the bell over the door dinged.
"Excuse me," the woman said, "Do you know the way to village d'Auteuil. I can't seem to find the right street."
“Of course, dear. Are you new in town?” Gina asked.
“I arrived this morning. But they told me if I can’t make my appointment they will give the apartment away. It is first come, first serve.”
“Well, my son Tom was just headed out. He can show you the way. It’s easy to miss the turn.”
“Oh, you don’t have to go out of your way for me.”
“Nonsense. He will wait to make sure you can find your way back. If you get the apartment you can come by for a loaf of bread. Free loaf to first time customers. I find it's the best way to get repeat visits."
"That sounds lovely. So much better than shop bought bread."
"If you don't like the apartment, we have a small studio apartment over the shop. We were going to list it next week but you can look before that and see if it suits you.”
The woman thanked her repeatedly before her son motioned her to the door. Sabine talked to Tom the entire way to the place she was headed. He was pretty quiet as she talked the whole way there. He waited for her until she came out, dejected. He had helped her get there on time but just barely. Sabine explained that the last available one had been rented a couple hours ago. There had been no chance for her.
He was quiet on the way back. He didn't know how to make her feel better about the situation. It sounded so unfair for them to not even have cancelled the appointment when they knew they had overbooked. Sabine had been talking about her home, her plans for classes, and all the things she hoped for in her time in France. She stopped suddenly and went quiet in the middle of the sentence. Tom stopped walking and looked around before looking at her to see what had stopped her.
"Sorry, I'm talking so much. I must be boring you," Sabine said.
"No, it's great. I don't always say much but I could listen to you all day," said Tom.
"That's very kind of you to say. I should head off and take care of my living situation. I'll stop keeping you from your day."
"Look, it's an ice cream cart," Tom said, distracting her. "It's new and hard to find but people say it is magical."
"How is ice cream magical?"
"I don't know. But I heard the trick is to let him pick for you." Tom hesitated before adding. "My mom is very into the idea. She says that magic isn't something separate from the world but just little bits we can experience along the way."
"I guess we can all use a little magic. It would be a shame to pass it up."
André was delighted to meet Tom and Sabine and had the perfect combination for their new friendship. He faltered slightly when they said they wanted separate cones but presented them with identical ones. Honey vanilla for the sweetness, green tea for the fresh beginning, and blackberry for the future.
It was over the ice cream that Tom convinced her to come back to the bakery with him. He explained that his mother had been really resistant to renting the extra apartment and she would only have offered if she really felt a connection with her. So when they finished eating they headed back to the bakery.
Gina was delighted and rushed off to show Sabine the place. She talked non-stop in a sharp contrast to her quiet son. She didn't even ask whether Sabine wanted the place but talked as if she was already planning on moving in. Luckily, Sabine thought the place was perfect for her so there was no awkwardness about needing to refuse. At the end of the tour, Tom approached again and offered her a loaf of bread.
"I made it myself," he says in his quiet voice. "I tried a new recipe so if you don't like it, you can have a regular one."
Sabine took it with a smile. She leaned up and kissed him on the cheek causing him to blush.
