"I'm not good with titles", claims missfortunetherogue, and then lists so many funny and interesting doc names I have trouble choosing! But I'm absolutely partial to "Night Bite Bakery", what's this?
"Night Bite Bakery" was my submission for a flash fiction competition where they randomly assigned me a genre and setting. I got vampire romance in a bakery and spun up a friends to lovers story of two newly turned vampires who open a night bakery together. I've been thinking of editing and expanding it into a slightly longer short story someday. Also thanks for inquiring about this one; I wrote it a few years ago and it was nice to see how my writing has improved. A needed reminder since I'm having one of those "my writing is trash" days (yay imposter syndrome).
Sam could hear the bored drawl of their cashier, Gary, over the whir of the stand mixer and the muddled conversations of about half a dozen customers. It was a little after 1:30 AM, and their nocturnal confectionery was coming to life.
“One Double Fang Latte and a Coffin Cake with O negative infuser, got it. Thanks for dropping by Night Bite Bakery…where everyone is welcome.” Gary’s voice could not have been more deadpan if he tried.
“Always a pleasure,” boomed a deep, sultry voice. “Business seems slow tonight.”
“Mmf,” Gary mumbled dismissively.
Apparently, Gary needed another chat about proper customer service. Not that Sam blamed him. Eternal unlife made small talk infinitely more insipid. Still, without customers they’d be a trio of vampires with baking obsessions, too many sweets to eat alone, and no income.
Sam would deal with Gary later. The whipped cream was just about ready. Next, they’d need a blood pack to fill the infusers they were known for. Sam just needed to slip past—Oh, Cassie— their business partner and long-time friend, who had just splattered the chocolate ganache she was mixing for their Scream Puffs all over herself. Impulsive and lovably absent-minded, Cassie constantly forgot her own newfound strength, leaving a trail of splatters and exploding batters everywhere she went.
“Uh, Cass, you got a little something…” Sam said, stepping in close with a grin. Too close. An electric jolt strong enough to stop their heart all over again charged through their body.
Sam’s hand reached out involuntarily to wipe off a drop of chocolate on her cheek. Cassie’s jaw clenched—in anticipation? Revulsion? They aborted mission, reaching past Cassie’s violet ponytail for a towel.
“Here,” they sputtered, handing it to her.
“Oh, thanks. For a moment I almost thought you were gonna—” Cassie laughed nervously.
“Who, me?” Sam rifled the same cheeky hand through their short ashen hair. “I can’t get my hands dirty, I need to finish the—argh, the whipped cream!!”
There was a leaky mound of butter where pillowy whipped cream should have been. With a groan they slugged back toward the fridge for more cream.
Freshly free of chocolate, Cassie grabbed Sam’s arm as they passed again. Her face was deathly serious and far too close for comfort.
“Hey. Just now. I wouldn’t have minded, you know…” But the clomping of Gary’s approaching combat boots stopped her.
“I’ve been waiting on those Scream Puffs and Red Velvet Deathcakes for like an hour,” he huffed. “I don’t know how you keep the cases full considering…whatever you’re doing back here.”
“Damnit, Gary, they’re coming! Now get back to the customers,” Cassie retorted.
He rolled his eyes. “Also, a health inspector’s here. They’ll be heading back any minute.”
“Next time start with that!” Sam said, annoyed.
“Dude seems kinda sketch.” Gary fingered his leather bracelet uncomfortably.
Cassie and Sam exchanged glances nervously. “And you couldn’t glamour him away because…?”
“I tried! He blinked slowly like I was on drugs. Anyway, here he comes. I’m goin’ out for a smoke.”
