You're no good alone

 "I think you.." Stu stopped his words in mid-sentence. Honestly, he wasn't sure what Mia wanted to hear. After all, here she was at the bake shop near the end of his day. He sighed and bit his bottom lip.

"What? I just want a word with the owner?" She looked as if it were all business. Nothing else. 

Stu nodded. Honestly, he didn't know what it could be about. For a faint moment, his heart faltered. As if Mia might try to get him fired or something. He blinked away the thought. Thinking, she wouldn't do that? Would she?

Oh, it just meant he had to be on his best behavior. No way could he get in a shouting match with Mia here. Finally, he hurried along. The old lady was cleaning up in the back. Really, Stu wished she would stay up front. He could do it.

So he made some tea and set out some of the day-old shortbreads for the both of them at the back table. Of course, it was really a small place. One couldn't get lost in it. So they went to discuss something. Naturally, Mia kept an eye on him from where she sat. He really did feel he might lose it, as he did his best to clean the counter and whatnot. Finally, he went to back, but still in earshot if any customer arrived.

Seriously, his stomach was twisting and turning. God, where was all this stress coming from? He'd only spent one night with Mia. Honestly, he was on his best behavior these days. Helping out in the wee hours of the morning at the bakery. He was starting to memorize the recipes, just as he was asked too. There was no writing down anything. He needed to remember.

Of course, he'd written down the recipes in his little notebook he'd left in his room. It was a way of studying. And the old woman put him to the test, even half asleep. She really expected him to get his shit together if he was going to take over the bakery one day.

When he sighed now, it felt as if it was all going to make him sick. What was happening to him? He looked through the little window. They were still busy talking. Were they deciding something? Was it about him?

Stu winced hard. Just what was Mia telling her about him? Stu nursed his upper lip. Was there anything good that could come of this?