“Thinking about buying a fish?” Calluna returns from the back, looking completely relaxed and normal as if one of the pets she sells didn’t just poop glitter.
I point at the tank, looking at the shop owner but she doesn’t say anything, a relaxed smile on her face.
“Are you telling me that you didn’t just see that?” I ask a little bewildered by her calm demeanor. “That fish just pooped glitter!”
I mean, forgive me for stating the obvious here but dang, the woman stands there as cool as a cucumber, waiting for my next move as if the glitter situation was completely ordinary.
“This is why I’m here,” I explain. “Frank, the puppy you sold me, he just did the same thing this morning. His poop was ... Glittery.” I keep pointing my finger at the tank but if I expected any sort of reaction, I guess I’m sorely disappointed.
“You seem like a girl that likes glitter!”
“I ...” Well yeah, I do like glitter but that’s beside the point. “Is that normal? I mean—”
Calluna smiles at me and I’m really mesmerized by the brightness in her eyes. “Is there anything else that’s unusual about your puppy?” she asks and I shake my head, unable to look away. “Well then, glitter is better than something worse. If it keeps happening, come back and I’ll fix it.”
I thank her and walk out of the store feeling strangely calm and confused at the same time.
Maybe my sugar is low, I think. A cronut might fix all my issues.
THE PINK DOOR OF BUTTERCUP’S Bake Shop is enough to make me instantly feel back to my normal self.
I step into the bakery, feeling instantly welcome and I can’t help but feel my mouth water at the sight of the delicious treats on display in the clear glass case that serves as a counter. There’s every kind of donut one could dream of, several pastries and cupcakes and on one side a few cakes that are as beautiful as I’m sure they’ll be delicious. Buttercup is one of the most talented bakers I’ve ever seen, an artist almost.
I love her kindness, I’ve never seen her not smile at her customers and she’s got the same attention to detail that she puts in her delicious creations when it comes to the customer experience. A couple of weeks ago, it was Jen’s birthday and Buttercup sent us my bestie’s favorite cupcakes as a gift. A treat she rewards all her loyal customers with.
“Morning Magnolia,” she greets me closing a paperback she was reading and setting it down on the counter.
Her smile reaches her grey-blue eyes and she asks me if I’d like my usual, reaching for her tablet to record my purchase.
“Yes please. A cronut and three unicorn cupcakes,” I ask, deciding to buy extra in case Jen has co-workers she’d like to share with.
Buttercup busies herself packing my baked treats and my eye lands on the paperback she was just reading.
The cover has pastel colors: there’s a girl on it in flowery panties surrounded by several guys. I’ve never heard of the author CC Pine. The title seems very fitting to the cover Love Blooms. I point to the paperback. “Is that any good?”
Buttercup blushes and then nods with a smile. “It is. A very steamy story, that’s for sure, I was actually rereading it. It’s a library book and I just realized that I forgot to return it. I’m not sure I’ll make it on time today either, the shop is very busy these days.”
“It’s busy because your creations are as beautiful as they’re delicious.” I compliment her, making her blush reappear.
I don’t know why but I feel drawn to the book and maybe a steamy story is what I need to get some inspiration for tonight’s Tinder date.
So I offer to return the book for her. I’m a fast reader anyway and I have the whole afternoon to read and relax.
“Would you really return it for me? That would be so kind!”
“Absolutely, Buttercup. I go to the library to study all the time, so it will be no bother.”
Buttercup hands me the paperback with a soft smile. “You’re always so kind, Magnolia. Thank you. Your treats today are on the house.”
And that’s what I mean when I say that Buttercup is amazing at customer service. She just made my day with a book and free cupcakes.
I thank her and reassure her that I’ll be back soon for more of her delicious stuff.
I jog out of the bakery, setting the book in the bag on top of the box with the baked treat, and my phone pings with another text from Jen.
Jen: hey babes, when you get here with my lunch, ask July about a bag I’ve set aside for you. You’ll thank me later.
I hurry along, curious about what Jen could have for me: the Magical Rooster is my next stop.
I’ve never been to visit Jen at work and my jaw drops when I see what kind of shop the Magical Rooster is. An adult shop.
I hesitate for a second but then I push the door open and step inside. I’ve never been to a shop like this one but I admit that I’ve always been curious about it.
A fluttering of wings startles me and almost causes me to drop the cupcakes as I lift my head to look at what’s flying around my head.
“Holy guacamole!” I curse when I notice that it’s flying dildos. I’ve never seen anything like it. But I guess this is appropriate for the theme of the shop after all, so maybe I shouldn’t be that surprised. My curiosity has the best of me and I keep looking at the dildos noticing that some are made of glass and some have gossamer wings that flutter softly as the dildos circle me as if they were animated somehow, as if they were sniffing me.
“Come on in,” a brunette girl says in a kind, customer service voice. She looks a little tense at first but her shoulders relax as I smile at her.
She’s obviously good at her job and knowledgeable about her stock because she beckons me to the counter with an almost conspiratorial look.
“There's no one else here right now except us girls. Let's start with the basics, something easy and simple and perfect for a young lady. A vibrator.”
A vibrator? I feel heat rise to my cheeks but my curiosity has the best of me and I eye the merchandise displayed everywhere.
“Hmm, I was just looking for Jen,” I say taking a hesitant step toward what I’m guessing is Jen’s boss. “I’m her roommate. She said she had something for me but I didn’t think she was talking about a ...” my words die in my mouth as my eyes land on a shelf of butt plugs.
God help me out, the lady starts telling me about them making my embarrassment skyrocket and I have to avert my gaze not to giggle nervously.
“Those are one of our bestsellers: the self-cleaning and sterilizing butt plugs. They come with a variety of flared ends, including jewels, constellations – the Orion and Polaris are quite popular – alchemist symbols are popular as well. We have a wide range of options to make your asshole look lovely while prepping for a good hard fucking.”
Yeah, no. Definitely out of my depth with the butt plugs.
But the cunnilingus panties the shop owner describes next sound interesting to say the least. Tripp never went down on me, claiming eating pussy wasn’t his thing, which is obviously another reason why Jen thinks that breaking up is good riddance.
A little shiver works its way up my spine and I think that if I ever found a guy that isn’t weird or a total loser, I’d love to experience the real thing. I know I’ve got the whole BJ thing down but it would be nice to be with someone who returns the favor for once.