Callum is working the phone and on other guru marketing strategies. The man is the undisputed king of follow-ups. He has such a suave approach. People don't even realize he’s up-selling them. That's how he helped me secure my most impressive catering gig yet.
Since I’m tied up in consultations most of the day, I take care of the shop while Virginia is my backup in the kitchen. When things get crazy, I holler and she comes running.
“Virginia, can you please make sure we have enough Grand Marnier, Chambord, Baileys and Kahlúa,” I say as I enter the kitchen.
“You just got an order for drunken chocolate donuts?” she asks, lifting her brown eyes at me.
“Whipped cream and liqueur glaze donuts? What's there not to love?”
“My motto!” she laughs.
“Mine too. And it's not just an order, it's a big order. Four dozen donuts for the bride-to-be and eleven of her partners in crime. It's for a bachelorette party.”
“Ah, well, there's nothing like boozy donuts to kick things up a notch or two,” she grins.
“I agree. Luckily, they want our boozy donuts,” I return her wide grin.
She wipes her hands on her apron. “Let me go check.”
“Thank you,” I tell her.
Special requests are what make my little donut shop edgier than others in LA. Many of my competitors prefer to stick to the basics. And let's face it, it's not like you can walk into a Krispy Kreme shop and ask for something custom or glitter sprinkle. They don't go there. We even do three, six and twelve-tiered donut towers for weddings—the only way for couples to flaunt their unique style. Marion is always on hand to make wedding cake toppers for couples who still want to add a traditional touch on their big day. Originality is why Shane Dennison and Riley Carrington have been photographed numerous times leaving the shop with our signature yellow dome-shaped boxes.
“I just got off the phone with Ryan Hammerstein,” Callum says, walking out of the office. “He just wanted to make sure we’re ready for Wednesday.”
“There's nothing on the agenda on Wednesday other than making donuts until our eyes turn purple,” I tell him. “The shop will be closed and the entire team is coming in. We've even hired additional backup and there's very little chance I’ll get a decent night’s sleep until this big event is behind us. So yes, we’re as ready as can be.”
“Don't worry, I'll be stressing out as much as you will. But think about it, you’re going to make history on Wednesday.”
Callum, always the masterful publicist.
“I’m excited. Mostly. It's just a lot to take in. We've never done anything on this scale before.”
“You’ve got this,” he says, nudging his shoulder against mine.
I laugh.
Since Callum is fairly tall, he has to bend his knees so our shoulders are at the same level, which makes this that much more amusing.
“Thanks for the pep talk.”
“Any time. This is only the start for these types of events. Mark my words, you'll get many more.”
“From your lips to God's ears. Business has been on fire and I want to keep it that way.”
After a very rough start, this is a blessing.
“And you will,” Callum assures me.
“Maybe when we make our first million, we’ll splurge on state of the art industrial machines!”
“When you make your first million. I’m just here for the ride,” he says.
Well, I guess he already has way more than a million in the bank.
He no longer makes it his badge of honor, but Callum works at my shop as a way of irking the hell out of his imperious and overbearing father. That’s his way of putting his foot down. That’s also the same reason he insisted Aunt Angelina and Ainsley keep quiet about his crucial involvement in the successful launch of their shoe company three years ago. Behind his cover-up of an over-educated trust fund baby, Callum James Bickford-Smith is a masterful marketer and a killer businessman. To this day, his dad, Blaize Anders Bickford-Smith, remains clueless about his son’s abilities. What a shame.
“Callum—”
The front door swings open and a guy carrying a huge bouquet walks in and up to the counter.
He places the flowers in front of me with a smile. “Good morning. Delivery for an Everly.” My eyes widen as Callum steps next to me.
“That’s me.”
“These are for you,” the delivery guy says.
“For me?” I ask. I even point at my chest.
“Yes,” he says, pushing the box containing the flowers towards me.
I stare at him in disbelief. “Wow.”
“If you could sign here, please.” The delivery guy hands me an electronic device.
“Who are they from?” I ask as I scribble my signature.
“Sorry, madam, this is my twenty-second delivery since I started my shift. I just deliver the stuff,” he tells me.
I feel silly for asking the question, but this is the first time I’ve received flowers. A girl is entitled to be excited. And curious.
“Thank you,” I say, a little embarrassed.
“Have a good one,” the delivery guy tucks his electronic device under his armpit and walks out of the shop.
“You too,” I say over his shoulder.
Callum arches his brows at me. “Someone really liked their donuts.”
“Don't they all,” I joke.
“Of course they do, but it takes a certain level of fondness to take this next step. That’s a huge bouquet,” he says.
I nod in agreement.
“Maybe Ryan Hammerstein is buttering me up for Wednesday,” I say. “He’s making sure we don’t drop the ball and we dazzle his guests.”
“Nah. He sounded pretty confident on the phone. Maybe it’s from Mrs. Dillard,” Callum suggests. “An extra, ‘I’m sorry’.”
“Yeah,” I shake my finger at him.
“If you read the card, you’ll get your answer,” Virginia says behind us.
Her voice startles us.
Callum and I turn around and narrow our eyes at her.
“Smart ass!” we say in unison.
We both laugh.
“Just being helpful. At this rate you two will be debating all morning,” she grins wickedly as she approaches us. “Oh, and yes, we’re fully stocked up on liqueur,” she adds.
“Thanks for checking.”
“No problem.” Virginia hurriedly scurries to my side. “Aren't you dying to find out who sent those?”
I am.
I grab the little white envelope, rip it open and pull out a small card from it.
Fanny Pack Queen,
Since you’re a baker, I was trying to come up with a more original gift, but time isn’t on my side since I’m off to New York today. Thank you again for saving the day. My daughter loved every bite of her sprinkled donuts. Please accept this small token of my gratitude.
Your flamboyant hair color really caught my eye. I still don’t know how to describe it, but I hope these flowers will tell you how much I think it suits you.
Soon to be a returning customer,
Holt