text: Write a story about two people who run rival bakeries but fall in love during the town's annual holiday festival. Lavender and Molasses “Is it missing something?” I asked. “Tastes great to me,” said Sarah. “No, I can feel it. It is definitely missing something.” I walk over to scan my inventory of spices and flavors. What does it need? Peppermint? No, too predictable. Maybe cinnamon? Cliche. It has to be just right. Only noticeable when it isn’t there. I have got to figure this out. Livy's Confections hasn’t won the Baker’s Cup in three years. I can’t survive another loss. I’m already on a 2nd mortgage. I need a win to put us back on the map and bring in revenue. The phone rings. “You’ll never guess who needs to borrow some Molasses.” Sarah said almost sarcastically. I roll my eyes and make my way to the front desk. “Are you just trying to see what I am up to this year?” I said in a smart aleck tone. “Liv. Can I call you Liv? Or do you prefer Olivia?” Nate questioned. Nate is the owner of Crumbs Bakery downtown, also known as the reigning Baker’s Cup champ for the last three years. It seems like his shop popped up overnight and almost put me out of business. I have spent the last few years perfecting all new recipes and making sure I take home the victory tonight. “So you come to me in a time of weakness?” “Listen, my normal guy Ralph is sold out of Molasses and there isn’t any within a reasonable distance for me to go get. I only use the best.” he said. “So you want my Molasses? Are you saying you trust I purchased a high quality Molasses?” “Liv. I seriously am graveling at this point. I can’t complete my cupcakes without it. I am lining up nicely for my fourth win. Hell, I’ll even make sure to thank you in my speech when I do win.” he chuckled. “You know, for someone that needs something from me, you sure aren’t doing a great job at getting it.” I said. I look at Sarah and shake my head. I can not believe this guy. Needing little ole me to help him. I guess I could say no and make it easier for me to win. But then I hear my father’s voice in my head. This could be my moment to be on top where I belong. It’s not cheating, it’s just not helping my rival. “How about this? My sister’s wedding got called off this weekend. Too bad for her, but great for me because she has given me all of her wedding flowers to use on my cakes. So, if you help me I will give you six dozen pieces of lavender. I have no use for it. Lavender and Molasses don’t go together anyways. So how does that sound?” he asked. “I don’t think that will benefit me, being I don’t specialize in wedding cakes.” I said. “Yeah, but don’t you like lavender? I tried one of your cookies a few months ago and I tasted lavender, I’m certain of it.” he said. That’s it. I lit up like a light bulb. Lavender. I need lavender for my cupcakes. “Wait, you tried my cookies?” I asked. “Alright, don’t get a big head about it. It was my niece's birthday and I didn’t know you did the desserts. But yes, it was actually really delicious.” he said. “Fine, you can have your molasses and I’ll take all the lavender you got.” I said. I told Sarah to hurry over to Nate’s shop and get back quickly. We only had a couple hours to get everything done and set up at the festival. I ran back to the kitchen and started reworking my cupcake recipe to incorporate the lavender. I had so many ideas spinning in my head. I haven’t been this inspired since my dad worked with me. I feel the pep in my step. I feel the fire burning inside of me. I can do this. I can win, I just know it. We make it downtown and it is packed as usual. It is the town's biggest event of the year. Everyone and their brother comes to this festival. The main stars of the show are the sweets provided by all the local bakeries and shops. There are vendors set up everywhere. The air smells so sweet and salty at the same time. The perfect mix in my opinion. “Hey, they are ready for your entry.” Sarah said. I handed her a dozen cupcakes that were definitely made with love. Well that’s it. This competition will determine if I can keep my doors open for another year. As I am pacing back and forth I smell a strong scent of cedar wood and mint. I turn and see Nate standing next to my table. He throws a quick wave and bops his head back to get me to come his way. “I just wanted to thank you again for helping me earlier. We were able to finish our cupcakes and they turned out better than I expected. I think another trophy is calling my name.” he said. God could he be any more arrogant? Nate stands there all confident and cocky, with nothing to lose and everything to gain. And I hate to even admit this, but damn is he cute. Stop it. Stop it right now. I can’t think this way about him. I can’t think this way about a guy that shares similar interests as me. A guy that is painfully single like me. A guy that has a smile that could melt all the ice cream in Big John’s ice cream parlor. While he stands there boasting about how great his cupcakes are and how he has to put in more shelves at his shop for the awards he’s accumulated, I can’t help but be in a trance. I’ve never noticed the scar on his lip. Or how his eyes have a little bit of green in them. I was always so busy hating him, or rather envying him and his success. While dazed out and hooked on to all the soft hitting insults from Nate, I forgot that we had a competition to attend. “Liv, it’s time babe.” said Sarah. Nate walks with me to the stage while we wait for them to announce the winners. “So you never told me what you needed the molasses for.” I said. “Ginger Molasses Cupcakes,” he answered. “What did you end up making?” he asked. “Lavender Honey Cupcakes.” I said. “Well now if you win, you will have to add me to your thank you speech,” he said. The main judge makes her way to the mic. My hands are freezing and clammy. I have them squeezed together trying to calm myself down. Winning this award will give me the publicity I need to keep my doors open. As I stand there hanging on to every word the announcer says. Waiting for her to announce the winning bakery. Nate grabs my hand. I turn my head to look at him. “I may or may not have slipped one of your cupcakes before you entered. You got this kid.” he said. I smile and give him the look of relief. In the middle of the trance I was in, Sarah comes over and shakes me. “Livy you won!” she yelled. I stood there in shock. I was so completely smitten by this guy, that I didn’t get to hear the announcer call Livy’s Confections as the Baker’s Cup winner. Nate squeezes my hand and then begins to clap. I make my way to the stage, shaking the hands of many people in the community and taking pictures with the judges and answering questions about my entry. I scan the audience for him. Where’d he go? After getting the trophy I made my way down through the crowd to get to his table, but his staff had already packed up and left. I thank Sarah and the crew for all their help and tell them to get everything back to the shop. “You’re not coming with us?” Sarah asked. “We will celebrate tomorrow.” I said. She gives me the look. The look that she knows my mind has been any and everywhere since Nate showed up tonight. But she cracks a smile of approval and tells me to go. I’ve never been in Crumbs Bakery, but tonight is a night of firsts. The door is locked. Of course it is Liv. I don’t even know why I am here. I see a head pop up from the back. It’s Nate. He greets me at the door. “Come to gloat I see” he said. “Maybe a little.” I said. “All jokes aside, you had the winning cupcake out there. I’m still kicking myself about the lavender.” he laughed. “You know, I’d love to collaborate together on something. Maybe your sister's next wedding?” I ask. Nate laughs, it was genuine and so cute. Where are these feelings coming from? “I am totally on board, as long as we can make lavender and molasses work,” he said. “I think we can make anything work.” I said. “Can you make Saturday night at Big John’s work?” “Ice cream for dinner?” I ask. “Dessert always comes first,” he said. There I was. Standing in another trance. It felt like we were in a movie or a romance novel. The reader, waiting for the big first kiss. Who will make the first move? “What was in those cupcakes by the way?” he asked. As I start naming off the ingredients he slowly walks towards me. Flour. Sugar. Eggs. Butter. Honey. “and lavender?” he asked. He is standing right in front of me. Our movements are in sync and I can feel the warmth of his breath on my cheek. Nate pulls my face towards his. There’s that little speck of green in his eyes again. If he wasn’t holding me, my legs would give out. Apparently weak in the knees is a real thing. His lips meet mine. The sweetest dessert I’ve ever tasted. I guess lavender and molasses do go together after all.