Chapter Text
The sun was shining brilliantly, the birds were chirping, and Lisa was daydreaming of her comfortable bed and her blackout blinds. Her beautiful bedroom with warm colored walls, her favorite paintings hanging proudly, her bookshelf overflowing with books.
Was it a little unhinged of her boss to demand an early morning meeting on a Tuesday? Yes, Lisa decided, it certainly was. She was unaccustomed to rolling out of bed before noon most days, and that suited her just fine. The tattoo shop never opened before two anyway, what could they possibly need to meet first thing in the morning for?
Lisa groaned and pressed her sunglasses more firmly to her face. She would say something frivolous about torture but she wasn’t that tasteless. Still though, Lisa was displeased, and she was certainly going to remember this slight when the next employee review period came up.
Lisa had struggled so enormously to get up and dressed in time, she hadn’t even made herself any tea that morning. And frankly, if there was a bad way to start the day, it was getting up too early or missing out on tea. The fact that this particular day started too early and without tea proved that it would be a bad day and nothing good would come of it.
The only upside to this meeting was that she could finally stop into the little bakery that’s been two doors down from the shop for ages. It was clear that the life of a tattoo artist and the life of a baker were rather opposites. The bakery was open six to twelve, and Lisa shuddered at the thought of those hours.
The door chimed as Lisa stepped inside, the baby blue accents of the bakery and wide windows brightening the room. It was cute and welcoming, and the baked goods within the display at the counter looked delicious. Only problem, no one was inside. Faint music was playing over the speakers, the few scattered tables by the windows were empty, and no one was behind the counter.
Lisa paused and glanced back at the hours on the door, they were open, it was just barren at the moment. Lisa wasn’t sure how long she should wait, and considered heading out when the door behind the register pushed open.
She watched a broad shouldered back push through the door, tight t-shirt stretched over muscles, blonde hair up in a ponytail with a cute ribbon tying it together. The woman turned, holding a large tray of freshly baked croissants, and nearly startled at Lisa’s presence.
“Oh, I’m so sorry, have you been helped?” Her gentle voice startled Lisa, and she couldn’t help but stare, soft beauty radiating from a kind smile, adorable apron tied around her waist.
“No, I haven’t.” Lisa said wistfully.
“Terrible, you should make a complaint to management.” She smiled wider, and Lisa laughed.
“And who might that be?” Of course, she made it obvious. The blonde opened her mouth but they were interrupted by someone careening into the room from another side door.
“I’m here! I’m here, I’m sorry Jean, I really had to use the bathroom and no one was in here and I’m sorry!” She called hurriedly, pulling her apron back on and leaving it untied as she posted up behind the register with a wavering smile.
“It’s alright, Amber. Thank you,” The woman, Jean, laughed, patting Amber on the shoulder. “Why don’t you ring her up and I’ll get whatever she orders.”
Lisa finally stepped up to the counter and stared back at Jean for a moment, before addressing Amber.
“Just a rose bud tea and… whatever’s fresh.” Lisa said, peeking over at the display of pastries. Amber was quick off to set up her tea, waving Jean away, and so Jean simply held up her tray enticingly.
“Croissants, only minutes old.” She said, dazzling smile on her lips.
“Well then I’d better take two.” Lisa said, and Jean nodded, quickly getting to work placing the croissants into the display and setting out two to bag up.
Amber returned, placing the steeped tea in a to go cup for Lisa and rang her up. Sure, Lisa may have watched Jean the whole time she pulled her money out and handed it to Amber, but she could excuse herself for that.
Lisa took her items, finally, to be less rude, smiled thankfully at Amber, and then glanced to Jean one more time.
She had an easy smile, relaxed and carefree, and tilted her head at Lisa.
“Thanks for stopping in. Come again soon.” She said gently, and Lisa nodded her thanks and made her way out of the bakery, taking the very short walk to the tattoo shop and pushing her way in, still entirely lost in her thoughts.
She sat heavily on the couch in the lobby, the rest of her coworkers already arrived and lazing all around.
Lisa placed her items on the coffee table in front of the couch and looked around at her fellow tattoo artists.
“How dare all of you.” She said loudly, accusatory.
They all glanced at her, confusion on their faces.
“How many of you have been to that bakery next door?” Lisa asked, and most of her coworkers raised their hands. Lisa’s eyebrows shot up, eyes wide, the absolute indecency of these people!
“And none of you thought to tell me about the goddess that works there?” Lisa knew that was a little unreasonable, but at the same time, it wasn’t. Not at all.
In fact, Lisa stood from the couch and exited the tattoo shop altogether. She marched right back over to the bakery and pushed her way inside, bell chiming, Amber’s heading shooting up and her welcoming smile falling slightly in confusion.
“Welcome back?” She asked, head tilted to the side.
“Yes, hi. I would like… a complaint card.” Lisa nodded, and truthfully she expected Jean would still be there but she had obviously hopped right back to work and Lisa was less sure of what she was doing.
Which lessened even more when Amber’s face fell dramatically.
“The tea was that bad? Or was it the service? Oh, I’m sorry, please you don’t need to make a complaint! I can… I can comp you another item, or a better tea! Whatever you want.” She exclaimed and Lisa immediately felt bad, regretted her decisions, once again kind of wished she was back in her bed and sleeping.
“I… No, I’m sorry, oh sweetie it’s not you!” Lisa hurried to calm her but Amber’s lips wobbled and she could see tears in the girls eyes and Lisa cursed herself.
Then the door opened once more and Jean was popping her head from the back again.
“Truthfully, I didn’t mean come back quite so soon. What’s going on?” She asked, concern settling over her features as she got a good look at Amber. Jean stepped fully out, bowing her head slightly to check on Amber.
“I’m really sorry, I was just… looking for a complaint card. One that might make its way to the manager, you see.” Lisa said meaningfully, hoping Jean caught on and Amber would stop being upset.
“Ah, fresh out, unfortunately. How about I take your number and I’ll let you know when we’ve got more?” She asked, and the way she smiled at Lisa, the kindest, most confident smile Lisa had ever been blessed with, made her want to just jump over the counter… but she had decorum.
And Amber seemed to catch on too.
“What! Ugh, you’re flirting, at my expense!”
Jean laughed and Lisa could see the little specks of pink splashed across her cheeks.
“I’m sorry, Amber. Could you check the dough in the back for a moment?” She asked, eyes shining and Amber shook her head and ducked into the back.
Jean turned to Lisa, mirth still on her lips, and held out her hand.
“I’m Jean.”
Lisa shook her hand warmly, smile crawling over her cheeks.
“Lisa.” She couldn’t stop staring into Jean’s beautiful blue eyes, matching the colors of her bakery so well. Probably on purpose.
“Lisa. Lovely to meet you.”
And did Lisa make an effort, from that day on, to get up early and stop by the bakery just before they closed most days? She did, and she hardly even complained about the obscene hours her beautiful, baker girlfriend kept. Not when Jean had to get up at four in the morning to get ready for work and she had to pry Lisa’s hands off of her. Not when Jean often fell asleep only an hour after Lisa got off work.
Because Jean made her efforts too. She stopped into the tattoo shop whenever Lisa worked the late shift, bringing a homemade meal by and smelling like baked goods and home. And Jean always had Lisa’s favorite tea ready for when she stopped by before work, along with whatever new desert she had concocted that morning.
Because it was so very easy for them to fall in love.