Chapter Two: Of Cupcakes and Unexpected Riders Episode
779 Words
Zara didn’t expect to see him again.
She told herself the delivery guy—Dami—was just that. A momentary fluke in the chaos that was her life. She had put the bracelet in her drawer, under a pile of receipts and old birthday cards, hoping to forget the flutter in her chest when he smiled.
But fate, apparently, was feeling playful.
It was Wednesday afternoon, and Zara was at her best friend Nina’s bakery, “Whisk & Whimsy,” helping frost cupcakes for an upcoming bridal shower.
“You’re distracted,” Nina said, flicking a dot of pink icing onto Zara’s nose.
“I’m focused,” Zara muttered, smearing a swirl onto a vanilla cupcake. “These frosting roses won’t make themselves.”
“Hmm,” Nina hummed dramatically. “So this has nothing to do with the tall, fine delivery man you told me nothing about on Monday?”
Zara paused, cheeks warming. “It wasn’t a big deal.”
Nina dropped her piping bag. “You told me someone had left a gift at your door. That’s already mysterious. And then you forgot to mention the delivery man was a tall glass of cocoa?”
Zara rolled her eyes. “You’re exaggerating.”
“I never exaggerate about men who look like Idris Elba’s cousin.”
Zara laughed despite herself. “He was... nice.”
“Nice?” Nina gasped. “Zara! You’ve been dry as sandpaper for months. If someone breathes in your direction, you owe it to your heart to explore it.”
“Thanks for the poetic visuals.”
Just then, the bell above the bakery door chimed. Zara glanced up, expecting a customer.
Instead, she saw him.
Helmet tucked under one arm, leather jacket half-zipped, same confident slouch. Dami.
Zara’s mouth went dry.
“Delivery for Whisk & Whimsy,” he said, flashing a smile that reached his eyes.
Nina whispered, “Girl, that is not a coincidence. That’s a rom-com entrance.”
Zara stepped forward. “You again?”
Dami nodded. “I guess the city’s small after all.”
“You’re delivering... to a bakery?”
“New client,” he said, placing a box of baking supplies on the counter. Got signed up yesterday. "When I saw the address, I thought, ‘Hmm, what are the odds?’”
Zara raised an eyebrow. “You thought that, huh?”
“I did,” he said smoothly. “And now I’m here." Hi again.”
Nina, who had been silent for all of three seconds, suddenly cleared her throat. “Zara, can you show him the back shelf? We need help with... lifting. Heavy stuff. So heavy.”
Zara gave her a look but relented. “Fine. Come with me, Dami.”
As they walked toward the storeroom, Zara felt the silence press in. She wasn't sure what to say. Luckily, Dami spoke first.
“I’m not stalking you, by the way.”
Zara laughed. “Sure. "You’re just a romantic courier delivering bracelets and sugar.”
“Exactly. "Multitalented,” he said with a wink.
She shook her head, smiling despite herself.
“Seriously though,” he continued, “you didn’t seem freaked out by the gift." Most people would’ve called the police.”
“Well, it was a little weird,” she admitted. But kind of sweet. And... I needed a little kindness that day.”
“I’m glad I got to deliver it then.”
They reached the storeroom, and Zara turned to face him. For a moment, they stood in silence, the scent of vanilla and cinnamon hanging thick in the air.
“So,” he said, scratching the back of his neck, “I know this might be forward, but... can I take you out for coffee sometime?”
Zara blinked.
She hadn’t been on a date in six months. And even that had ended with a guy who told her she was "too independent." Whatever that meant.
But Dami felt different. Not because of his looks or his smooth words, but because of how grounded he seemed. Calm. Real.
“I don’t drink coffee,” she replied carefully.
He grinned. “Tea?”
“Iced chocolate.”
“Deal.”
She hesitated for one second longer, then smiled. “Okay. One iced chocolate.”
They walked back to the front, and Nina’s smirk said everything.
After Dami left, she practically skipped over. “So?”
“So... I have a date on Friday.”
Nina squealed. “That’s my girl! Your rom-com era has officially begun!”
Zara shook her head, laughing. But deep down, she wondered.
Was this really the beginning of something?
- Writer
