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Peter was the best cookie baker in the business. His bakery was known for its cookies. He couldn’t make a cupcake but he could make some of the best cookies. Pumpkin cookies that had people come for more. Lemon cookies that were sweet and sour in a cookie. Snickerdoodles remind people about their grandma’s snickerdoodles. Chocolate chip cookies were so amazing. He loved making cookies and being one of the best cookies in Queens.
~
Harley was the best cupcake baker in the business. He loved making cupcakes because it was something his mama taught him. Something which made him feel special. He had learned to make them just like his mom, but also put his own spin on it as well. He loved making cupcakes. He had his fruity cupcakes with actual fruit in them and his cupcakes with fillings in them. He knew it might sound weird but his favorite to make were his vanilla cupcakes with chocolate icing. They were the cupcakes his mother would make with him when he was younger before he came to New York to start his baking career. His bakery was known for its cupcakes and everyone talked about them. Harley may not be able to make a cookie but he made a killer cupcake.
~
The contest was for two bakers to come together and create one desert that was the best. Peter wanted to compete and now he was standing in front of the best cupcake bakery in Queens trying to get the nerve to talk to the owner. Finally, he walked into the store as the bell rang and saw a girl at the front who smiled.
“How can I help you?” she asked him with a slight accent.
“Can I speak with Harley Keener?” Peter asked. The girl looked at him before going to the back. A pretty boy came from the back with the girl from earlier, confused as he smiled at Peter.
“How can I help you, Darlin’?” Harley said.
“My name is Peter Parker and I was coming to ask for your help with a baking challenge,” Peter explained. Harley seemed interested.
“I don’t normally teach people how to bake but I can teach you in my free time,” Harley said winking. Peter felt his cheeks heat up.
“I can bake. That isn’t why I need your help. I’m a local baker as well. The challenge is for two bakers to come together and make a dessert out of two things. I heard you had the best cupcakes in Queens so I figured I would ask you because I make some amazing cookies according to my reviews. I figured if you were interested we could make a cookie cupcake,” Peter explained. Harley seemed even more interested than before.
“You should do this. Imagine how people would react if they knew you won a contest as well,” the girl said. Peter already determined that he liked her.
“I think it would be interesting. Bring over some of your cookies this week and I’ll taste them,” Harley told him. Peter nodded knowing that he would be excited to have another baker taste his cookies.
“I’ll bring them over Friday and you can make up some cupcakes for me to taste,” Peter told him before Harley started writing notes. He was excited just like Peter about this opportunity. Peter typing his ideas on his phone for the plan.
~
Peter came back with some cookies that people loved including his classic cookies. Harley was waiting for him with Abby upfront. Abby had called Peter and thanked him for getting Harley so invested in something. She was excited to see Harley doing something he enjoyed and not working alone for once.
“He hasn’t baked with anyone since Mama passed,” Abby explained to Peter over the phone. Peter was glad to know that Harley would be baking with him this one time at least. Peter had never baked with anyone. His uncle never baked and his aunt couldn’t bake. He found his mother’s cook books and learned from her how to bake even though she wasn’t there to show him exactly how she did it, but she had notes and Peter learned from her notes.
“Hey Harley,” Peter told him as he set down the cookies on the table as Harley sat down across from him. “Ready for some taste testing?”
“I haven’t had a good cookie in a while so it would be nice to have a cookie for once,” Harley let him know. Peter smiled as they tried the different cookies and cupcakes talking with each other about what they were.
“I think we could do a pumpkin spice cookie cupcake, a chocolate chip cookie cupcake, and a cookie crumble cupcake,” Harley told him.
“That sounds good. I do like the mix of cookies with the cupcakes idea that you have,” Peter said. “I close on Wednesdays so we can work then if you want?”
“I also close Wednesdays so we can meet at either kitchen,” Harley said.
“Then it's a date,” Peter said before he realized how he phrased it. “I mean it's a plan.”
“I get what you mean, Peter,” Harley said. Peter nodded as Harley smiled at him and told him he would see him Wednesday.
“Who runs your shop when you come over here?” Harley asked.
“My aunt or my friend,” Peter said. “Today was my friend, but last time was my aunt.”
“It's always good to have those people in your life to support you when you need them,” Harley told them. Peter agreed before heading off for the day knowing he would need to get things set up and not wanting to leave MJ stuck at the bakery for long on her day off. He was excited for his next day off though.
~
Harley arrived at Peter’s bakery to see Peter writing down notes. Harley could just smile watching him work. Peter’s aunt had let Harley in and thanked him for this. Harley was just excited to work with Peter. He was just happy to see Peter already started on their ideal recipe.
“Sorry I’m late,” Harley finally said. Peter looked up smiling.
“It’s fine,” Peter said. “Let’s get started.” Harley started on the cupcakes as Peter talked to him about how to incorporate the cookies. Harley just smiled as they got to work working together as if they always worked like that. They just worked well together like peanut butter and jelly. It took them a few hours but their cookie cupcakes were perfected in no time.
“I think we are going to win,” Harley told him as Peter told him the judges were stopping by the next day. “I will have Abby watch the shop.” Peter smiled as he told him he would see him when he gets here. Harley walked out slowly not wanting to leave but knowing he had to. He had to get back and start up an order of cupcakes for tomorrow for a birthday party.
~
Peter waited for Harley to arrive. He made it just before the judges. He apologized and said that he was running a bit behind.
“No worries. The judges aren’t here yet,” Peter told him as he waited for them bouncing up and down. The judges came and tried their cupcakes, they seemed pleased with them but there wasn’t much being said about the cupcakes. Once they left, Peter got excited as he celebrated what they did today. Harley smiled as well as he pulled Peter into a hug. Peter was surprised but accepted it, enjoying the physical contact. The two pulled apart smiling.
“We should do this again sometime,” Harley said. Peter agreed. He waited as Harley debated about leaving.
“I should head back, do you want to hang out next Wednesday?” Harley asked. Peter smiled and agreed, telling him that he would tell Harley when the results came in.
~
Sunday leads to Peter calling Harley with good news. They had won the competition and their desert was going to be featured in a magazine. Harley came over later after he closed his shop since Peter didn’t open on Sundays unlike Harley. Peter told him all about it and how excited he was.
“They want to interview us,” Peter said.
“I think this calls for a celebration,” Harley told Peter. “What if we go out to dinner together tonight?”
“I would enjoy that,” Peter said smiling. Harley just smiled back as the partnership for a competition was going to lead to a date which would lead to two popular bakeries becoming one. But for now it was just starting out. Like their Cookie Cupcake, the two were coming together to become something great.