sweet as a peach.

“Oh gosh, you really think so? No need to flatter me, I’m just grateful to have a job,” Savannah replied. Sure, she didn’t need the extra money, but gaining more connections within the culinary word would benefit her in the future. Biting down on her bottom lip, she tries her best to dodge his next question. Raf was just a caring person, but the baker just didn’t like to make people feel bad for her. “Oh, it’s nothing! Just a little tired. I’ve been busy with work and my summer class, college is just…hard y'know?”

✩

raj waved off her response, “not flattery at all, just the truth. i know my parents really enjoy having you here, too. now that they’re getting older… well, you know.” it was no secret that his parents were aging, unable to do a lot of the same things they used to. the couple used to run the bakery all on their own, but within the past few years had been hiring bakers, baristas, and the likes to keep up with it now that raj had his own career to focus on. but that was besides the point, he was just grateful to have savannah around with how hard of a worker she was. “i understand, trust me. if you ever need any help, just let me know. i am a college professor, you know, i could be a little helpful when it comes to college classes,” his tone was light, gaze concerned over at her.

Location: Sahni’s Sweets / open starter @ithacastarters

Savannah was in the midst of working an afternoon shift at the bakery and it had been a bit slow. The brunette had spent the last two hours doing a variety of things, cleaning up the front display case, brainstorming some new potential seasonal menu items, and even was filling up her shopping carts with things she didn’t need. Brown orbs were glued to her phone screen, manicured nails tapping away as she was torn between which mini skirt to buy. In her own little world, she hadn’t even realized that someone was standing in front of her.

“Oh gosh, I’m so sorry! What can I help you with today?” her southern drawl slipping through her sentence.

***

the girl behind the counter has lina giving her an endeared smile once she finally notices her, the accent she hears something rare and foreign to her ears, leaving her intrigued and wanting to hear more of it. she’s only been to this bakery once before, which is surprising given that she has a massive sweet tooth, but typically she likes to have things delivered, or simply have her TA bring her whatever it is that she’s craving at the moment. but today, she decided to venture off on her own and treat herself, deciding that she deserves it now that the semester is coming to an end.

“no worries, love. my sweet tooth is kicking in hard today, so i’m definitely in need of something sweet asap,” she informs her with a smile. “do you have any recommendations? a best seller, or maybe a personal favorite?” after a quick glance to the menu board behind her, she snaps and continues, “oh and coffee! your best latte as well, definitely.”

“What’s so bad about working out? I’m mostly into walking and yoga. But, I’ve also found that other things have benefical for me - like baking or doing adult color books. Honestly though? I find myself buying children one’s because they are more fun,” she confesses with a giggle. “If it can taste like I should be on a tropical island, I will totally love you forever!”

-

“WELL FOR ONE, I don’t know if I would consider yoga working out.”  Mainly because her last experience with it had left her traumatized. “I tried hot yoga once with a friend and it felt a lot more like torture than a form of exercise that people should enjoy.” At the mention of coloring books, she nodded her head because she’d seen those. “I’ll be sure to make it taste like that. A little coconut water and agaves should do the trick.” Added with some juice, of course.

“I know the menu here is a little….overwhelming,” Savannah admits with an akwward chuckle as she glances over to the older man. One of her favorite things was recommending things to customers. Food was her love language and she found so much comfort in the art of baking. “Well, how many people are you trying to impress? A few colleagues or is this for a special ocassion?”

The older man couldn’t help but chuckle in response. “It is, but in the good sense of the word. I’m sure people appreciate having so many options as long as they don’t come in with an empty stomach and a history of blowing their money on baked goods” Alex grinned before nodding cordially as the other spoke again, theatrically counting the people he had in mind, making faces. “Do you have anything that would make around fifteen to twenty middle-aged and older college professors endure an hour long lecture? And whatever you can recommend for a twelve year old and a five year old, I’ll take that too.”

a bright grin spreads across rowan’s face when savannah enters his sights, spotting the girl from across the room and deciding then and there that he was going to approach her. he hadn’t been looking for her, hadn’t actually talked to her yet today, but it was easy enough of a decision, knowing that she’s always so enthused to see him, that he decides he’d like nothing else but to bask in her attention for the rest of the night. he’s quick to order an extra drink, smirking as he makes his way over to her, a drink in each hand. “hey! fancy meeting you here,” he greets warmly, gesturing towards her with one of the drinks in his hand. “i bought you a drink.”

"Oh gosh, you didn't have to! But how chivarious of you, you give some of the guys I know back home a bed rep," she jokes with him. "But what is it?"

It was a beautiful day out, not a cloud in the sky and the sun was shining which meant it was a perfect opportunity to attend the local farmer’s market in town. After going on a nice little walk with her beloved dog Paris, she took her over to the marker to pick up a few things. Glancing around, she had no idea what to get but she knew she wanted to load her reusable bag to the brim.

“I promise that Paris and I won’t tell anybody,” the darked hair beauty jokes with the boy as she sees him enjoying the berries. “You just have to see if there in season, right? Nothing wrong with that.”

“Mm, I dunno,” he hummed, taking on a jokingly suspicious tone as his gaze drifted down to Savannah’s dog and then back to meet her stare. “Paris sort of looks like a snitch to me.” He only lasted another second before a wide smile stretched across his lips, put at ease by the sight of a familiar face. Henley exhaled a gentle chuckle while his head bobbed in an agreeable nod. “Just checking if they’re in season,” he echoed and clucked his tongue. “That’s a good excuse, I’ll have to remember it. Enjoying the market?”

Most days, Savannah truly did love her job. Being able to work at such an amazing bakery owned by some kind people was truly a blessing. It was the stepping stone in her eventually wanting to open up her own bakery once she graduated from college. But, today had been testing her already. She could only pray that her shift would go by quickly and without any issues.

Making her way into the bakery to work the opening shift, she makes sure to wipe her eyes clean of the tears that she had shed this morning, double checking for no mascara streaks.

“So, that must mean all the prepping I did before I left last night doesn’t disappoint? Sometimes it can be a lot of pressure to impress the owner’s son?”

✩ 

raj chuckled a bit at her question, “it never disappoints! you’re one of the best bakers we’ve had since, well.. me,” he answered, at the risk of sounding full of himself. it was hard not to, though, but at least it was a great compliment towards how highly he thought of savannah’s skills. and he wanted to be a bit more cautious with his next question, when he couldn’t help but notice a bit of puffiness to her eyes that couldn’t quite be excused for sleepiness at the early hour of the morning. “is everything alright..?”

Savannah was in the midst of working an afternoon shift at the bakery and it had been a bit slow. The brunette had spent the last two hours doing a variety of things, cleaning up the front display case, brainstorming some new potential seasonal menu items, and even was filling up her shopping carts when thing she didn’t need. Brown orbs were glued to her phone screen, manicured nails tapping away as she was torn between which mini skirt to buy. In her own little world, she hadn’t even realized that someone was standing in front of her.

“Oh gosh, I’m so sorry! What can I help you with today?” her southern drawl slipping through her sentence.

Location: Sahni’s Sweets / open starter @ithacastarters

Savannah was in the midst of working an afternoon shift at the bakery and it had been a bit slow. The brunette had spent the last two hours doing a variety of things, cleaning up the front display case, brainstorming some new potential seasonal menu items, and even was filling up her shopping carts with things she didn’t need. Brown orbs were glued to her phone screen, manicured nails tapping away as she was torn between which mini skirt to buy. In her own little world, she hadn’t even realized that someone was standing in front of her.

“Oh gosh, I’m so sorry! What can I help you with today?” her southern drawl slipping through her sentence.

💫

her shift was long and all she wanted to do was curl in bed with some sweets, her favorite horror movies and a bottle of wine. between the mothers that seemed to be momzillas to the ones that had already been through birth more times than they could count, faye was on a mission to forget for the evening. she had already gotten the bottle of wine at the grocery store and she decided to stop in and grab something sweet from sahni’s to grab some cupcakes and cookies that should last her though the week. she had been waiting no more than five minutes for the cashier to look up from her phone before a smile graced her face. “oh no need for apologizes. i’ll take a half dozen vanilla bean cupcakes and a dozen of the chocolate chip cookies as well,” she said with a smile as she grabbed her wallet to pay. “have ya’ll been busy today?”

"You know, it actually hasn't been that busy? I find it's most busy in the mornings, but I'm here for the afternoon though."

Location: Sahni’s Sweets / open starter @ithacastarters

Savannah was in the midst of working an afternoon shift at the bakery and it had been a bit slow. The brunette had spent the last two hours doing a variety of things, cleaning up the front display case, brainstorming some new potential seasonal menu items, and even was filling up her shopping carts with things she didn’t need. Brown orbs were glued to her phone screen, manicured nails tapping away as she was torn between which mini skirt to buy. In her own little world, she hadn’t even realized that someone was standing in front of her.

“Oh gosh, I’m so sorry! What can I help you with today?” her southern drawl slipping through her sentence.

✩ 

“i was wondering if you had any strawberry rhubarb scones left?” carti asked, voice saccharine sweet with her fingers interlocked in front of her body. there were none in the case, sadly, and she was sure they’d been going like crazy with it being a seasonal item and all.. but it was carti’s favorite, and when she could get them, she’d stock up. “pretty please say yes.”

location: sahni’s sweets

now that it was summertime, raj’s parents expected him to show up more often around the bakery.. which wasn’t really too hard of an ask, even though it kept him from being able to sleep in with his wife. not like they weren’t used to the time apart, regardless of whether it was because of their jobs, or because of raj getting up at five in the morning to hop by the store before it opened to see if savannah needed any help with preparing baked goods for the day.

when he popped in the back door, he was able to slip into the kitchen without making too much noise and couldn’t resist a fresh pan of pain au chocolat still cooling down from the oven. by the time half of it was already in his mouth, he turned to see savannah and raised his hands in innocence. “..i was just taste testing, and they taste great.” though his words were muffled from the pastry in his mouth, hopefully she’d hear and accept his excuse.

Making her way into the bakery to work the opening shift, she makes sure to wipe her eyes clean of the tears that she had shed this morning, double checking for no mascara streaks.

"So, that must mean all the prepping I did before I left last night doesn't disappoint? Sometimes it can be a lot of pressure to impress the owner's son?"

“Oh yeah, I’ve never smoked and I don’t really….plan on it. Don’t get me wrong, college is like super stressful but I just find other ways to relieve it,” she admitted. Savannah was far too innocent for her own good and had yet to truly rebel too much while going to school up in Ithaca. “You really don’t have to make me a free drink but if you really want to, I won’t oppose! Could you make me something that doesn’t really taste like alcohol?”

-

“GOOD GIRL.” Alaia said with a nod. Her mother would be so proud but Alaia felt like she had done good as well because smoking a cigarette was one of the least problematic things that she’d tried and kept up. “Don’t tell me that one of those things is to work out or something like that.” Even though she knew it was good, she just couldn’t get behind working out for the fun of it. “I can do you a drink like that for sure.”