For nearly 2 years now I've been highlighting anthologies & box sets on my weekly Monday Morning Mantelpiece feature well now I'm starting Monday Morning's Menu which as you may guess, food will play a part in the story, be it actual food, occupation, or setting. Some weeks I will still be posting the Mantelpiece and others I will be posting Menu.
Allen Jameson had it all—the perfect house, the perfect partner, the perfect life—until his partner, Gary, died suddenly, leaving him alone in the real world, where life isn't so pretty and people make mistakes. Now Allen is the owner of Sweet ‘n’ Sassy Cupcake Shop, a cute boutique downtown, where he invents delicious flavors like strawberry and French meringue. Between working long hours and making special orders, Allen barely has time to think.
Then a hunky contractor walks into his shop looking for a treat. Allen and Byron Bannigan are total opposites, but they're perfect together—salty and sweet like Allen’s signature peanut butter and chocolate ganache cupcakes. But as Allen struggles to juggle his business and his boyfriend, he learns he can only handle so much. He may have to choose between the cupcakes in his store and the cupcake in his bed.
Chapter One
PEANUT BUTTER with chocolate ganache.
Carrot cake with cream cheese icing.
Mexican chocolate with cinnamon frosting.
Fresh strawberry with French meringue.
Allen put out the day’s cupcakes and started the cappuccino maker.
He checked the clock. Six fifty-five. Time to open. He made sure the day’s muffins were out on top of the four-foot counter, then turned the sign on Sweet ’n’ Sassy’s door to “open.” Time for work!
The first customers started coming in immediately—Steve and Daniel, Rick, Lowell, and Ron. Heidi and Leeane. He loved his regulars and they loved him, coming into the tiniest cupcake bakery in the whole world for a muffin, a cup of joe, a quick hug, and a smile. Some people might stay long enough for a small conversation, but with only two tables, most of his customers took their sweets to go.
By the time it was nine twenty, he was out of muffins; time to head to the back to start the cupcakes for the afternoon orders. Lord.
The bell over the door jangled just as he got there, and he returned to the front to find the most stunning man he’d ever seen standing at his counter. Big, buff, and with the prettiest hazel eyes. The jeans and tight T-shirt only served to accentuate the man’s muscles.
“Good morning.” You hot thing. “How can I help you?”
“I need fancy food for my secretary. She’s pregnant and it’s her last day, and I’m supposed to do something.” The man sounded harried.
“Okay. I don’t do savory things, really, but I can make cupcakes. Do you know what kind and how many and when?”
“Cupcakes. That sounds good.” The guy nodded and then scratched the back of his head. “Today’s her last day, so I have to have ’em for three. We’re doing a little party.”
“How many?” Three o’clock. Damn. Okay. Maybe.
“Uh… two dozen? Is that possible?”
Oh. Oh, that was totally doable. “Yes. Yes, I can. Does she know if she’s having a boy or a girl?”
“God no, she’s gone on and on about ruining the surprise.” The guy chuckled. “These need to be really good cupcakes, so she remembers to come back to work.”
“I can do a dozen pink strawberry and a dozen polenta cupcakes with a blueberry frosting.”
“As long as a lady would think they’re pretty, it sounds great.” The man had an amazing smile, eyes crinkling up, teeth white in his tanned face.
“Okay. Okay, I’ll have them ready at 2:00 p.m. It’ll be a twenty-dollar deposit, please.” God. Okay. He’d be here late this afternoon making that birthday order for Mark and Wade, but it was a nice little bonus order.
“Oh, you rock. Seriously, you’re a lifesaver.” The guy pulled out his wallet and handed over a twenty.
“Thanks for stopping in. I’ll have your order ready at two.” Busy was good, right?
“Cool. Do I get a slip or anything?”
“Absolutely. Give me two shakes.” Lord, the man was making him stupid. He really needed to focus. “What’s the name on the ticket?”
“B. Banigan.”
“B. Banigan. I got it.” He wrote the receipt, then handed over a copy.
B’s fingers slid against his as he took the paper. “Cool. I’ll be back at two.”
“I’ll be here.” Allen’s fingers tingled, and he actually felt his belly get tight. God, he missed the days when Gary had connected with him like that. So bad.
B’s smile was warm and made the tight feeling stronger. “Me too.”
Then the man was heading for the door, offering a very fine view.
Allen rolled his eyes at himself. Christ, he was a giant dork. Seriously. He wasn’t in a place to even admire. Hell, he was finally in a spot where fantasizing didn’t make him cry. Still, if he was going to fantasize, Mr. B. Banigan was a good place to start.
Allen sighed, shrugged. Whatever. It was time to get to work, right? Make cupcakes, make joy for people.
He pushed B out of his mind and began.
IT WAS nearly three before Bit was able to leave the office to go get Josine’s cupcakes. He’d spent the day with her as she went through where she kept everything, where stuff was filed, how she paid the bills, and a million and one other things that she usually took care of for him.
They hadn’t been able to find an adequate temp to fill in for her while she was on maternity leave. So he was going to have to deal with it on his own. He was pretty sure he wasn’t going to survive.
Arriving at Sweet ’n’ Sassy just after three, he went in, the bell on the door announcing his arrival.
“We’re closed for the day, I’m sorry!” that soft, charming little voice rang out. “I’m just waiting for a customer to pick up.”
“That would be me. And I’m really sorry I’m late.” Man, he hadn’t realized they closed so early, or he’d have worked harder to be here at two.
“Oh, yay. I was worried. They’re all ready for you.” The lean guy came over, flour and frosting on his apron. God, the man was a poster child for adorable.
Bit grinned. “I was worried I’d be too late. I swear I don’t know what I’m going to do when she’s gone having her baby.” He licked his lips, more interested in the man at the moment than the cupcakes.
“You should find a temp or an intern, maybe.” The man’s eyes were on his mouth.
“I’ve tried temps, but none of them lived up to Josine’s standards. An intern might work….” God knew he needed someone, or he really wasn’t going to make it.
The man was still watching him intently. “I have a friend who’s a professor at the business school. I can ask him to contact you….”
“Really? That would be… damn, I’d appreciate that a lot.” He dug out his wallet and handed over one of his cards. “Banigan Construction, that’s me. B. Banigan” He grabbed a couple of twenties out next. “How much more do I owe you for the cupcakes?”
“Twenty-eight fifty.” Two royal-purple boxes were placed on the counter. “I do hope she enjoys them.”
“She will, and so will the heathens eating with her—my guys’ll eat pretty much anything you set in front of them. Thanks again….” He didn’t know this adorable, sexy man’s name.
“Allen. Allen Jameson.” Allen offered him a hand.
He shook it, taking a deep breath at the way his skin seemed to tingle where they touched. He held on longer than was polite, loathe to let go. “Nice to meet you,” he finally said, voice thick, his fingers still lingering.
“Thank you. I hope you enjoy the cupcakes.” He got a smile, and Allen’s bright-blue eyes danced for him. “I love repeat customers.”
“I can guarantee you I will be.” Whether or not the cupcakes were any good. He wanted to see Allen again.
Allen beamed. “Oh. Oh! Do you want to see them before you go?”
“Sure.” Anything to delay leaving.
The first box was filled with pink cupcakes with lovely white frosting and tiny pink hearts sprinkled over them. The second box had blue icing with little sculpted puppies on them.
“Oh, damn, look at that.” He was honestly tickled and impressed.
“I hope they’ll do.”
Do? They were amazing. “I thought I was getting cupcakes with icing. Instead, I got artwork—they’ll do.”
“Excellent.” Allen handed over a business card, the little thing a bright, shocking purple.
“It suits you,” Bit told him, grinning.
“I would hope so. I’m the whole thing. Chief cook and bottle washer.”
“It’s always good to meet a fellow business owner.”
“What do you do? Your company, I mean.”
“I own a construction company.” He’d have thought that was obvious, but if Allen was as flustered as he was feeling, that might be a good thing.
“Oh, that’s neat. My partner, Gary, used to be an architect.”
Oh, Allen was taken. Bit tried very hard not to let his disappointment show.
“Used to be?” he asked, trying to be polite.
“Gary passed away eighteen months ago.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.” Damn it, now he felt like an asshole, being jealous where he had no right to be and then finding out the man was dead on top of that.
“It was fast. He didn’t suffer.”
“That’s good.” He patted Allen’s hand awkwardly.
“Yeah. You’d better take your boxes before you miss your party.”
“My secretary’s party,” he corrected softly, though Josine was more an assistant than a secretary, with all she did for him. “You could come if you like.” He had no idea why he’d said that—it just popped out.
“Oh, that would be awkward, but that’s a nice offer, thank you. I… I have a few more orders to get done tonight, and tomorrow morning’s muffins made.”
“Okay, sure.” He grinned. “You would love Josine, though. Or at least she’d love you.” He chuckled and grabbed the boxes of cupcakes. “Thanks again. I’ll be back.”
“Please do. I’ll buy you a cup of coffee next time.” Allen’s cheeks were pink, and Bit could eat the man up.
“I’m going to hold you to that.” He almost said “See you tomorrow,” but didn’t. That didn’t mean he couldn’t show up tomorrow anyway, right?
Allen walked him to the tiny door. This had to be the smallest, most charming little bakery on earth with its two little tables, and Bit had the oddest urge to close the distance between him and Allen and kiss the man.
“It was nice to meet you.” Allen’s fingers brushed his arm.
“You too. See you soon.” He lingered a moment longer, then went out, carrying his boxes of cupcakes. He would definitely be back soon.
PEANUT BUTTER with chocolate ganache.
Carrot cake with cream cheese icing.
Mexican chocolate with cinnamon frosting.
Fresh strawberry with French meringue.
Allen put out the day’s cupcakes and started the cappuccino maker.
He checked the clock. Six fifty-five. Time to open. He made sure the day’s muffins were out on top of the four-foot counter, then turned the sign on Sweet ’n’ Sassy’s door to “open.” Time for work!
The first customers started coming in immediately—Steve and Daniel, Rick, Lowell, and Ron. Heidi and Leeane. He loved his regulars and they loved him, coming into the tiniest cupcake bakery in the whole world for a muffin, a cup of joe, a quick hug, and a smile. Some people might stay long enough for a small conversation, but with only two tables, most of his customers took their sweets to go.
By the time it was nine twenty, he was out of muffins; time to head to the back to start the cupcakes for the afternoon orders. Lord.
The bell over the door jangled just as he got there, and he returned to the front to find the most stunning man he’d ever seen standing at his counter. Big, buff, and with the prettiest hazel eyes. The jeans and tight T-shirt only served to accentuate the man’s muscles.
“Good morning.” You hot thing. “How can I help you?”
“I need fancy food for my secretary. She’s pregnant and it’s her last day, and I’m supposed to do something.” The man sounded harried.
“Okay. I don’t do savory things, really, but I can make cupcakes. Do you know what kind and how many and when?”
“Cupcakes. That sounds good.” The guy nodded and then scratched the back of his head. “Today’s her last day, so I have to have ’em for three. We’re doing a little party.”
“How many?” Three o’clock. Damn. Okay. Maybe.
“Uh… two dozen? Is that possible?”
Oh. Oh, that was totally doable. “Yes. Yes, I can. Does she know if she’s having a boy or a girl?”
“God no, she’s gone on and on about ruining the surprise.” The guy chuckled. “These need to be really good cupcakes, so she remembers to come back to work.”
“I can do a dozen pink strawberry and a dozen polenta cupcakes with a blueberry frosting.”
“As long as a lady would think they’re pretty, it sounds great.” The man had an amazing smile, eyes crinkling up, teeth white in his tanned face.
“Okay. Okay, I’ll have them ready at 2:00 p.m. It’ll be a twenty-dollar deposit, please.” God. Okay. He’d be here late this afternoon making that birthday order for Mark and Wade, but it was a nice little bonus order.
“Oh, you rock. Seriously, you’re a lifesaver.” The guy pulled out his wallet and handed over a twenty.
“Thanks for stopping in. I’ll have your order ready at two.” Busy was good, right?
“Cool. Do I get a slip or anything?”
“Absolutely. Give me two shakes.” Lord, the man was making him stupid. He really needed to focus. “What’s the name on the ticket?”
“B. Banigan.”
“B. Banigan. I got it.” He wrote the receipt, then handed over a copy.
B’s fingers slid against his as he took the paper. “Cool. I’ll be back at two.”
“I’ll be here.” Allen’s fingers tingled, and he actually felt his belly get tight. God, he missed the days when Gary had connected with him like that. So bad.
B’s smile was warm and made the tight feeling stronger. “Me too.”
Then the man was heading for the door, offering a very fine view.
Allen rolled his eyes at himself. Christ, he was a giant dork. Seriously. He wasn’t in a place to even admire. Hell, he was finally in a spot where fantasizing didn’t make him cry. Still, if he was going to fantasize, Mr. B. Banigan was a good place to start.
Allen sighed, shrugged. Whatever. It was time to get to work, right? Make cupcakes, make joy for people.
He pushed B out of his mind and began.
IT WAS nearly three before Bit was able to leave the office to go get Josine’s cupcakes. He’d spent the day with her as she went through where she kept everything, where stuff was filed, how she paid the bills, and a million and one other things that she usually took care of for him.
They hadn’t been able to find an adequate temp to fill in for her while she was on maternity leave. So he was going to have to deal with it on his own. He was pretty sure he wasn’t going to survive.
Arriving at Sweet ’n’ Sassy just after three, he went in, the bell on the door announcing his arrival.
“We’re closed for the day, I’m sorry!” that soft, charming little voice rang out. “I’m just waiting for a customer to pick up.”
“That would be me. And I’m really sorry I’m late.” Man, he hadn’t realized they closed so early, or he’d have worked harder to be here at two.
“Oh, yay. I was worried. They’re all ready for you.” The lean guy came over, flour and frosting on his apron. God, the man was a poster child for adorable.
Bit grinned. “I was worried I’d be too late. I swear I don’t know what I’m going to do when she’s gone having her baby.” He licked his lips, more interested in the man at the moment than the cupcakes.
“You should find a temp or an intern, maybe.” The man’s eyes were on his mouth.
“I’ve tried temps, but none of them lived up to Josine’s standards. An intern might work….” God knew he needed someone, or he really wasn’t going to make it.
The man was still watching him intently. “I have a friend who’s a professor at the business school. I can ask him to contact you….”
“Really? That would be… damn, I’d appreciate that a lot.” He dug out his wallet and handed over one of his cards. “Banigan Construction, that’s me. B. Banigan” He grabbed a couple of twenties out next. “How much more do I owe you for the cupcakes?”
“Twenty-eight fifty.” Two royal-purple boxes were placed on the counter. “I do hope she enjoys them.”
“She will, and so will the heathens eating with her—my guys’ll eat pretty much anything you set in front of them. Thanks again….” He didn’t know this adorable, sexy man’s name.
“Allen. Allen Jameson.” Allen offered him a hand.
He shook it, taking a deep breath at the way his skin seemed to tingle where they touched. He held on longer than was polite, loathe to let go. “Nice to meet you,” he finally said, voice thick, his fingers still lingering.
“Thank you. I hope you enjoy the cupcakes.” He got a smile, and Allen’s bright-blue eyes danced for him. “I love repeat customers.”
“I can guarantee you I will be.” Whether or not the cupcakes were any good. He wanted to see Allen again.
Allen beamed. “Oh. Oh! Do you want to see them before you go?”
“Sure.” Anything to delay leaving.
The first box was filled with pink cupcakes with lovely white frosting and tiny pink hearts sprinkled over them. The second box had blue icing with little sculpted puppies on them.
“Oh, damn, look at that.” He was honestly tickled and impressed.
“I hope they’ll do.”
Do? They were amazing. “I thought I was getting cupcakes with icing. Instead, I got artwork—they’ll do.”
“Excellent.” Allen handed over a business card, the little thing a bright, shocking purple.
“It suits you,” Bit told him, grinning.
“I would hope so. I’m the whole thing. Chief cook and bottle washer.”
“It’s always good to meet a fellow business owner.”
“What do you do? Your company, I mean.”
“I own a construction company.” He’d have thought that was obvious, but if Allen was as flustered as he was feeling, that might be a good thing.
“Oh, that’s neat. My partner, Gary, used to be an architect.”
Oh, Allen was taken. Bit tried very hard not to let his disappointment show.
“Used to be?” he asked, trying to be polite.
“Gary passed away eighteen months ago.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.” Damn it, now he felt like an asshole, being jealous where he had no right to be and then finding out the man was dead on top of that.
“It was fast. He didn’t suffer.”
“That’s good.” He patted Allen’s hand awkwardly.
“Yeah. You’d better take your boxes before you miss your party.”
“My secretary’s party,” he corrected softly, though Josine was more an assistant than a secretary, with all she did for him. “You could come if you like.” He had no idea why he’d said that—it just popped out.
“Oh, that would be awkward, but that’s a nice offer, thank you. I… I have a few more orders to get done tonight, and tomorrow morning’s muffins made.”
“Okay, sure.” He grinned. “You would love Josine, though. Or at least she’d love you.” He chuckled and grabbed the boxes of cupcakes. “Thanks again. I’ll be back.”
“Please do. I’ll buy you a cup of coffee next time.” Allen’s cheeks were pink, and Bit could eat the man up.
“I’m going to hold you to that.” He almost said “See you tomorrow,” but didn’t. That didn’t mean he couldn’t show up tomorrow anyway, right?
Allen walked him to the tiny door. This had to be the smallest, most charming little bakery on earth with its two little tables, and Bit had the oddest urge to close the distance between him and Allen and kiss the man.
“It was nice to meet you.” Allen’s fingers brushed his arm.
“You too. See you soon.” He lingered a moment longer, then went out, carrying his boxes of cupcakes. He would definitely be back soon.
Often referred to as "Space Cowboy" and "Gangsta of Love" while still striving for the moniker of "Maurice," Sean Michael spends his days surfing, smutting, organizing his immense gourd collection and fantasizing about one day retiring on a small secluded island peopled entirely by horseshoe crabs. While collecting vast amounts of vintage gay pulp novels and mood rings, Sean whiles away the hours between dropping the f-bomb and persuing the kama sutra by channeling the long lost spirit of John Wayne and singing along with the soundtrack to "Chicago."
A long-time writer of complicated haiku, currently Sean is attempting to learn the advanced arts of plate spinning and soap carving sex toys.
Barring any of that? He'll stick with writing his stories, thanks, and rubbing pretty bodies together to see if they spark.
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EMAIL: seanmichaelwrites@gmail.com
