#real estate listings near me

[rakesh-snike]

Buy Property in Pushpak Nagar

Pushpak Nagar, a node in Navi Mumbai, is a well-established area enticing multiple homebuyers. If you’re considering buy property in Pushpak Nagar, this direction will furnish valuable information to create a knowledgeable judgment.

[rentdigi]

If you're in search of rental properties, real estate listings, or new homes near your location, Rentdigi is the solution for you. Our platform specializes in providing a wide range of rental listings, including residential and commercial properties. You can now list your properties with us hassle free!

[raventhekittycat]

other uses of extra rooms that I've seen include from the simple guest bedroom or two, to a seperate playroom for children, an exercise room, a children's library room, home movie theater, wine cellar, 2nd study, ping pong room (this was at a professional ping pong player's house tbf), studio, honestly all sorts of things. What i will say is often those 2nd kitchens or bars are used for catering during parties.

i can understand the use of large house for a family but what do those single rich fucks with the goddamn true mansions do with all that space exactly? like let's table all valid criticisms of the spending and constructing of them aside and just focus on what exactly you do with that space

[duplooymedia]

Looking for professional real estate photography & videography? duPlooyMedia offers stunning visuals, drone services, and 3D virtual tours to showcase your property effectively. ARE YOU LOOKING FOR PROFESSIONAL REAL ESTATE PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY? Do you want to: INVEST, SELL, BUY, RENT, DEVELOP YOUR PROPERTIES with ease and impact? Don't Worry. We have the perfect SOLUTION. Introducing duPlooyMedia Lights. Camera. Action. A leader in real estate multimedia services, delivering powerful visuals that inspire action.

Our services are tailored for: Investors Property Owners Tenants Developers 

Now you can BUY • SELL • RENT • INVEST in all types of properties with clarity, quality, and confidence.

Our Services: At duPlooyMedia, we offer a range of professional real estate marketing solutions: 

Photography: Capturing stunning visuals to showcase properties in their best light. Videography: Creating high-quality videos that bring properties to life. Drone Services: Providing breathtaking aerial shots to highlight surroundings. 3D Virtual Tours: Immersive property experiences with cutting-edge technology. WHY CHOOSE duPlooyMedia? Creative Solutions: Custom-tailored content to elevate your brand. Affordable Packages: Quality that fits your budget. 24/7 Support: We’re here when you need us. Proven Expertise: Decades of combined experience delivering results. WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY “Their photography made our property shine. We saw more interest almost instantly!”– Alex, Property Owner “Fast turnaround and top-quality work. The process was smooth and stress-free!”– Lisa, Real Estate Investor “The drone footage was stunning and detailed. It gave our listings a fresh perspective!”– David, Developer “They brought our vision to life with creativity. The attention to detail was incredible!”– Claire, Marketing Consultant READY TO TRANSFORM YOUR PROPERTY? BOOK US TODAY!! 📞 Call us now at +27 79 326 0822

📧 Email us at info@duplooymedia.com 🌐 Visit www.duplooymedia.com 🎥 BOOK YOUR SESSION TODAY! duPlooyMedia Lights. Camera. Action. #RealEstatePhotography #ProfessionalPhotography #DronePhotography #VirtualTours #PropertyMarketing #RealEstateVideography #DuPlooyMedia

[maluziegler77]

Realtor in Chesterfield MI

Malu Ziegler - Realtor - KW Platinum is a trusted real Realtor in Chesterfield MI, providing top-notch services for buying, selling, and investing. She ensures smooth transactions, helping sellers achieve maximum value and buyers find their dream homes, including stunning luxury properties. For investing in Chesterfield MI, Malu offers expert strategies to build lasting wealth through real estate.

[oneteamrealestateagents]

Zillow Listing Fee Explained: Is The Cost Worth It?

When it comes to selling or renting property online, Zillow is one of the first names that come to mind. With millions of users browsing through Zillow's listings monthly, it's a great place to get your property noticed.  

But here’s the catch: the pricing structure is pretty confusing, especially for beginners. Read on to understand all you need to know about Zillow’s listing fees and a detailed analysis of all its competitors.

What is Zillow?

Zillow is an online real estate marketplace that connects buyers and sellers renters with property listings across the United States. Founded in 2006, it offers users options to browse various listings and view detailed market insights to make an informed decision.

Check out the main features that make Zillow a popular choice for users:

Zestimate: Zillow has an Automated Valuation Model (AVM) that estimates the current value of any home based on public data from county records, tax assessments, previous sales, etc. It works based on an algorithm that is continuously refined with each transaction, making it increasingly accurate over time.

3D Home Tours: Sellers can upload panoramic photos of the property. Zillow stitches the pictures together to give the potential homebuyer the walk-through experience from his or her computer screen. That's a huge advantage for a potential buyer who wants to get a feel for the property before calling by on physical visits.

Rental Manager: Landlords can manage everything right from screening tenants to collecting rents, in a single platform. That means they no longer need to waste time by switching between multiple tools.

MyAgent: Once a user selects an agent, they’ll see only that agent’s information when browsing Zillow listings. It’s a huge plus for buyers who want continuity in their search.

Cost of Listing on Zillow

Zillow doesn't offer a one-size-fits-all pricing solution for everyone. It really depends on how you use it. So, let's take a closer look at the pricing model for various types of users.

Homeowners

Luckily, homeowners can add their home listings with no fee attached. However, this is applicable only if they are not hiring a real estate agent. Owners can add up to nine photos and one video to attract buyers.

The reach of free listings is very limited, considering the large number of sellers on the platform. So, homeowners can opt to improve their listing visibility through paid add-ons. The cost varies by location but usually falls between $10 per day for listing at a premium level.

A commission would also be paid if they decide to use the services of a Zillow Premier Agent. Again, the exact rate is dependent upon their agreement with the agent.

Realtors

Realtors charge a monthly fee of about $200 in relatively less competitive markets but explode upwards in high-demand areas.

In addition to the monthly fee, the agents are also required to pay per lead generated through the website. This usually ranges from $20 to $100 per lead.

Some agents opt for a commission-based payment structure instead of fixed monthly fees. Check out the commission details of various markets here. 

Rental Properties

The first rental property listed is free for the first 30 days. Afterward, landlords must pay a flat fee to keep the listing active.

For extended listings, the charges range between $5- $50 per week. Owners can either pay weekly or opt for a 90-day flat fee.

Comparative Analysis of Zillow's Main Competitors

Let’s have a quick look at how Zillow compares to some of its main competitors:

CompetitorMain FeatureListing FeeTarget AudienceOpendoorInstant cash offers on homes for quick salesA service fee of 5% for each saleHomeowners seeking quick salesRedfinFull-service brokerage with lower commission ratesAs low as 1%Tech-savvy buyers and sellersForSaleByOwner.comSell on your own without agent commissionsFree listing, but you can opt for a premium package that costs a one-time fee of $495. It comes with closing assistance from a licensed real estate advisor.DIY sellers looking to save costsOfferpadSimilar instant cash offer model as OpendoorNo upfront fees. A 5% service fee and an estimated 1% closing fee.Homeowners wanting convenience

Advertising Options on Zillow

Even though Zillow has many potential buyers, you can’t just sit back and wait for reach to kick in. Most probably, you need to try out a combination of ad strategies to gain exposure. Check out some of the significant advertising options available for various users: 

Premier Agent

If you are a real estate agent struggling with low property listing views, you can join the Premier Agent program. It promotes your listings on top of the feeds to gain more visibility. The pricing varies greatly depending on the area, ranging from hundreds to a few thousand dollars.

Featured Listings

Like agents, sellers can also boost the listing to the feeds for extra exposure. It is really helpful in highly-competitive markets. Rates are charged on a cost-per-click basis. You can expect between $50 and $200 per listing.

Promoted Communities

For a more targeted approach, you can promote the listing to specific neighborhoods through dedicated landing pages. Here also, rates depend on the communities that you aim to target and the campaign duration.

Video or banner Ads

You can run either banners or short video clips as ads to showcase your property to potential buyers. Campaign pricing depends on several factors like exposure, duration, location, etc.

Is Zillow’s Fee Worth It?

In a nutshell: Yes, for many people, Zillow’s fee is worth it—but it depends on your goals.

First of all, Zillow does have millions of visitors every month. That means your listing is likely to reach more people than on other platforms. Investing in this platform gives you access to a set of advanced features like Rental Manager that make your selling way easier. The ease of managing everything in one place can make the fee worthwhile.

When it comes to agents, Zillow’s Premier Agent program is a goldmine. It lets them connect directly with buyers interested in similar listings. Such a targeted approach could lead to better conversion and ROI.

That said, Zillow’s fee may not be required for everyone. If you are simply listing a property for exposure rather than immediate interest, you might not see the same level of return. For them, the free listing option itself is enough.

5 Proven Listing Strategies For Success

Pumping in dollars to Zillow won’t guarantee success. Check out some tips to optimize your property listing to make the most out of promoting it:

Use High-Quality Images: Invest time in taking clear and well-lit photos of your property. This way, you are not just exhibiting professionalism but can even use them to attract more customers by showcasing the positive notes.

Compelling Descriptions: Write engaging descriptions highlighting the property's best features and nearby amenities. Try to fine-tune location-relevant keywords that buyers are likely to type in.

Price it Right: Remember, overpricing can scare buyers away. So, conduct proper research to set data-backed, competitive pricing. 

Utilize Zillow Features: Zillow has many attractive features, like 3D Home tours and featured listings, to help sellers. You can use them effectively to close the listings more easily.

Update the Listing: If you make any upgrades to the property, update the listing as soon as possible. A fresh listing keeps buyers engaged.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) Can I list my property on Zillow for free?

Yes. Homeowners can list their property for sale by owner (FSBO) at no charge. But if you want more exposure to the market, you would probably have to pay either for ads or premium features.

2) How do I track the performance of my listing on Zillow?

Zillow does have an in-built analytics dashboard that lets you track all your listing engagements in real time. You can assess the metrics over there to analyze the effectiveness of the listing.

3) What is the ‘Make Me Move’ feature on Zillow?

The 'Make Me Move' feature allows homeowners to list their property at a price they would accept to sell it. You can take this option if you want to attract buyers within a specified price range. Otherwise, Zillow's system might calculate your listing's Zestimate based on the available information.

4) Can I remove my listing from Zillow?

Closing a listing is fairly easy and does not involve much hassle. Go to the ‘listings’ section of your account and click on the option to ‘deactivate’ your listing. 

5) What are the benefits of Zillow’s Premier Agent program?

Agents enrolled in the Premier Agent program can get access to exclusive leads on the platform. The best part is that they can even target the leads based on specific locations or demographics to make the process of conversion even more effortless. Agents can even place their services next to the listing to attract more inbound clients.

Conclusion

As you consider your next steps in real estate—be it selling or renting—Zillow remains an invaluable resource that connects you with millions of potential buyers every month. Yet, jumping onto the platform out of the blue does not seem like a good idea. Consulting a real estate expert can make your side safe and get the most out of the deal.

At One Team, we have a team of experienced agents to guide you through every step of the process, right from listing to closing. Get in touch with us today to get started!  Content Source: https://homesbyoneteam.com/blog/2024/11/7/zillow-listing-fee-explained-is-the-cost-worth-it

[century21lighthouse]

Property Management Services in Melbourne FL

The Caruso Group at Century 21 Lighthouse Realty, led by experienced Realtor Aura Caruso, specializes in top-tier property management services in Melbourne, FL. With a commitment to helping clients reach their real estate goals, Aura offers comprehensive solutions, from property rentals and management to acting as a trusted agent for buying and selling. Rely on Aura Caruso’s expertise in the Melbourne market for smooth, successful transactions every time.

[valorieschmidt]

Valorie Schmidt Realtor is synonymous with luxury real estate agents in Barrington IL. Known for her meticulous attention to detail and comprehensive market knowledge, Valorie stands out among luxury real estate agents in the region. Her passion for real estate and dedication to her clients ensure a smooth and rewarding experience, whether you’re buying or selling a high-end property.

Valorie Schmidt 508 S Northwest Hwy, Barrington, IL 60010 (847) 624–5368

My Official Website: https://valorieschmidt.com/ Google Plus Listing: https://www.google.com/maps?cid=3003528455110860130

Our Other Links:

list my house Barrington IL: https://valorieschmidt.com/sold-listing sell my home Barrington IL: https://valorieschmidt.com/sell home value Barrington IL: https://valorieschmidt.com/evaluation

Service We Offer:

selling property buying houses Real Estate services

Follow Us On:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/schmidt_va70085 Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ValorieSchmidtBarrington/

[solxproperties]

Real Estate Agent in Benahavis, Malaga, Near Me With Lowest Commission

When purchasing or developing new real estate, the general assumption is that it's an accumulation of riches reserved for the well-known or wealthy. Is that practical, though? What if we told you that there was a less expensive house that was closer to your ideal home?

A dream of affordable luxury

Anyone can rent a new house in Malaga's upscale neighborhood of Benahavis; it's not just for the wealthy. With the assistance of a local property manager, you can locate various properties to fit your lifestyle and price needs. Benahavis provides a wide range of choices for sophisticated customers, from modern apartments to roomy villas with expansive views.

Emphasis on attractions on the Costa del Sol

Benahavis, in the center of the Costa del Sol, is renowned for its vibrant culture, Mediterranean climate, and spectacular natural beauty. It makes sense why so many visitors from around the globe come to this beautiful area. Now is the ideal time to realize your dream of buying a home in Benahavis. A real estate firm near me Benahavis Malaga, provides various properties at fair prices.

Great views of the Costa del Sol

Known as the "Coast of the Sun," the Costa del Sol is well-known for its golden seasides, championship golf courses, and vibrant residential residents. Whether seeking an energetic city life or a peaceful retreat, everyone may find something to appreciate on the Costa del Sol.

Navigating real estate

With the assistance of a local, skilled real estate agent, finding the ideal house in Benahavis can be more accessible. These experts ensure efficiency and effectiveness because they know the local real estate market, property prices, and legal issues. Your real estate agent will assist you at every stage, from negotiations for a property search to the legal procedure and closing.

Impact of recent changes

Interest in purchasing real estate on the Costa del Sol has risen due to recent events in Andalusia, such as the removal of the wealth tax. Benahavis is an excellent location for real estate investments because of its tax breaks, appealing prices, and flexible financing choices. This is your chance to look into your options by Benahavis, whether you're considering buying a primary house, a holiday home, or a property to close on.

Embracing a vibrant lifestyle

Benahavis offers a dynamic lifestyle with cultural events, outdoor activities, gourmet dining, and the property's attractions. Discover charming towns, enjoy continental cuisine, and hit up world-class golf courses, all from the comfort of your new residence in Benahavis's beautiful surroundings. For people of all ages, Benahavis provides a well-rounded living experience.

Your journey to home ownership

Contacting a top real estate company in Benahavis Malaga is the first step toward becoming a homeowner. Whether you're a first-time buyer, a proficient investor, or planning to renovate your home, local real estate agents can tailor their services to suit your needs and preferences. Your agent is a trustworthy partner for everything from property tours to market analysis, budget guidance, and contract negotiations.

The promise of Benahavis

Benahavis promises a dynamic and satisfying way of life. With its hospitable community, diverse selection of properties, and competitive economy, Benahavis showcases the Costa del Sol lifestyle. An actual estate representative in the area can assist you in discovering the beauty, elegance, and limitless opportunities that come with becoming a house owner in Benahavis.

Start your journey today

Enter Benahavis, the home of your dreams. Check the real estate companies list Benahavis Malaga and contact a local real estate agent to schedule a consultation and discover more about the opportunities in this desired neighborhood. Benahavis offers everything you could want: a peaceful environment, a top-notch vacation, or a haven by the sea. In Benahavis, Malaga, let your real estate agent lead the way to a more prosperous and satisfying future.

My local estate agency in Benahavis Malaga is committed to making your dream of buying a property in this stunning neighborhood a reality. We offer competitive commission rates. Contact Solx Properties right now to begin becoming a Benahavis homeowner.

[samkuren01]

Finding a real estate agent is a Herculean task. The problem is further escalated when the market is flooded with agents, and you need to know which one to trust.

MyRealTalk app seamlessly connects users with trusted realtors and agents, prioritizing privacy. Users can connect with agents for expert advice and professional collaboration without revealing their identity initially.

URL: https://www.myrealtalk.com/blog-detail/meet-the-top-realtors-and-real-estate-agents-of-moorestown

[rogcre]

Why Should People Go For the Commercial Properties For Sale?

The world of real estate investment offers a myriad of opportunities, and among them, commercial properties and multifamily units stand out as compelling options. Whether you're an investor looking to diversify your portfolio or an entrepreneur seeking a strategic location for your business, exploring commercialpropertiesand multifamily units opens doors to a range of possibilities. In this blog, you can delve into the distinct advantages and considerations associated with these two types of real estate investments.

Commercial Properties For Sale

Commercial Properties For Sale: Top Facts That You Must Know

Leasing commercial space to companies may also result in a consistent flow of revenue, which makes it a desirable investment choice. While generating rental income is a key benefit, commercial properties also have the potential for long-term appreciation. Investing in areas with ongoing development and economic growth can lead to an increase in property value over time. When assessing commercial real estate prospects, astute investors frequently take future value into account.

Multifamily For Sale: Go For It Without Delays                       

Including commercial properties in an investment portfolio adds a layer of diversification. Unlike residential real estate, which can be influenced by individual economic factors, commercial real estate is often tied to broader economic trends. Diversifying across different types of assets helps mitigate risks and enhances the overall stability of the investment portfolio.

Multifamily for sale

Realizing economies of scale is possible when managing several units on a single property. Consolidating management, maintenance, and other duties for several units into one location can increase operational efficiency and result in cost savings and increased profitability.

Commercial properties for sale and multifamily units each present distinct advantages and considerations for investors. The choice between the two depends on individual investment goals, risk tolerance, and market dynamics. Whether you are drawn to the versatility of commercial properties or the stability of multifamily units, both avenues offer opportunities for wealth creation and portfolio diversification.

[playyce]

Welcome to The Smartest way to find New Homes for sale in the Phoenix Metro Area Search, Find, Buy *Register with Us Before Visitng Homesites & Save, https://playyce.com/

[nicolebrownrealestatebakersfield]

Nicole Brown- Real Estate Broker Assoc Re/Max Golden Empire

I have been in the real estate services business in the Bakersfield real estate markets for 19 successful years and will be here for many more. This longevity and confidence comes from my real estate services to a great many buyers and sellers, and their recommendations to others that result in repeat and referral business that keeps me productive and successful. Before Real Estate I was a lender, so I have lots of knowledge in this field.

As a full service Bakersfield Real Estate Professional, I work with buyers, sellers and investors in real estate transactions spanning all of the price ranges and property types. I'm REO & Short Sale certified. My goal is to gain a friend for life, and not just a client for short term.

Business Hours: Monday: 7:00am - 9:00pm Tuesday: 7:00am - 9:00pm Wednesday: 7:00am - 9:00pm Thursday: 7:00am - 9:00pm Friday: 7:00am - 9:00pm Saturday: 7:00am - 9:00pm Sunday: 7:00am - 9:00pm

Address: 3955 Coffee Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93312

Phone Number: (661) 363-3547

Website: http://nicolebrownhomes.com/

GBP Listing: https://www.google.com/maps?cid=10844963450566871291

Payment Methods: Cash, Check, Credit Cards, Debit Cards

Services: Home Search Assistance, Automated Search Reports, Financing Assistance, Price Negotiations, Inspections & Repair Negotiations, Contract to Closing, CMA, Comparative Market Analysis, Search Assistance to Understand the Market, A Marketing Plan that Works, Thorough and Objective Home Evaluation, Market Updates

Serving Areas: https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1fV3rUe5SnBzWywoSDIZ3wl_yNB3xYqs&usp=sharing

YouTube Geotagged Video: https://youtu.be/wAwtYtWwSms

Slideshow Images (Google Photos): https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipNj9WgaOMcUs04360qDAj1qibx_hxY-MZO0oVXC3N5JFm9PPInfCTjcoEf8_VlxBA/photo/AF1QipNtVVxzARhJ9J7kx9MYfmJ2LluSy-vnWpl01Svu?key=QUtkRjZPMm5oR29Ra3BNMzVtVHEtZDNReWxBRWRB

Keywords: Best Real Estate Agent Near Me, Best Realtor Near Me, Homes For Sale In Bakersfield, New Home Listings Near Me, Real Estate Agent, Real Estate Agent Bakersfield, Real Estate Agent Near Me, Real Estate Bakersfield, Realtor In Bakersfield, Realtor Near Me

[blissfullyecho]

A Very Niche Level-Up + Looksmaxxing Idea List for 2025

This list is for the girls that get it. It’s niche and not for everyone, but I’m throwing up at the fact that every “how to level up in 2025��� post talks about journaling sad pages 24/7, drinking 8 cups of water a day, and walking 10k steps. How original.

Again, this is a very niche set of ideas. If you can’t relate then you can’t relate. But if you enjoy a good plastic surgery post and luxe lifestyle, maybe you will :)

1. Upgrade your car. We’re getting the Lexus’, the BMW’s, the Mercedes, the Jag’s, etc.

2. Upgrade your home. We’re living in high rises, we’re living in coastal areas, we’re living up in the mountains, we’re living where Amazon can drop our package off and we don’t have to worry about a porch pirate; we’re living in nice areas and in nice units/homes.

3. Breast augmentation.

4. Rhinoplasty.

5. Medical grade skincare.

6. Fresh, organic whole foods; focusing on lean protein, nuts and seeds, mushrooms, onions, leafy greens, pro/prebiotics, sea moss gel, etc.

7. Russian manicures and pedicures or a good acrylic set. Dip powder had its thing for a while but I’m not going to dip my nail in a powder everyone else dipped their nails. I bet they don’t even wash their hands and if they did, they prob didn’t even use soap.

8. Laser hair removal. Everywhere. If you want a design down there that’s cool, but you literally use the bathroom and it drips in the hair. “Oh but I use a wipe”. Okay, next time you need to wash your hair.. don’t use shampoo. Use a wipe. Invest in a bidet but still, hair shouldn’t be in your 🍑 or near the sensitive areas of your 🦋 the top is fine but if you have a period, pee, or “the other thing”, hair should be no where near those areas.

9. Lip filler. Everyone can benefit. Ask for a pout that sticks out a little bit. I don’t suggest a lip flip, I couldn’t do anything with a lip flip and it was driving me nuts.

10. Fake tan. Sunlight is fine but a spray tan just makes you look a million times better. Every skin tone and every race benefits from a spray tan. Trust.

11. Muscle definition. Muscle looks so much better than fat AND bones. You want muscle. Did you see how Bella Hadid had her foot on our necks at the VS fashion show this year? I was sickkkkkk.

12. Long hair. But if you have a face shape like Hailey Beiber, short hair looks better.

13. Makeup. Remember water-based products and oil-based products don’t mix, so make sure you choose your products wisely so your makeup doesn’t separate and you look a mess.

14. A better paying job. I left my hospital job and now I work in luxury real estate and international yacht sales.

15. Red light therapy for face and body. I have a body red light therapy dome that I got online for around $3,000 (USD) and it’s life. The one I have for the face is from Sephora and I spent like $400-$500 on that one. Whatever it says on the website.

16. Lashes. If you’re a pro at strip lashes, then yes. But I get my lashes done. Do not go crazy. Natural lashes are in so I ask for a classic whispy set focused for thickening my lash line and NOT for length.

17. Morpheus8 for skin tightening. I used it on my inner thighs and it literally saved my life

18. Lipo. If you’re a good candidate, get it. Sometimes belly pooch is hard to lose. I don’t have a pooch but I’m sure when I have kids I will.

19. Vampire facials. I can confidently say my best facials were vampire facials. My med spa charges around $950 for each facial

20. People can tell you’re wearing Shein. Their clothes are cute online but I’m going to hold your hand when I say this, they never look flattering in person when they’re being worn. People can see the loose thread and the see-through material. They also don’t fit anyone well and makes a lot of you look square. You get what you pay for in clothing. Learn about the basics of clothing and you’ll quickly only buy quality.

Yeah this list isn’t meant for everyone, but walking 10,000 steps isn’t going to take you to the next level. Neither is drinking water. They’re good habits, but they’re not going to level you up. And yeah I understand my list requires having money, but this is literally what my blog is about.

My 2025 Mindset Level Up book is here!

[avastrasposts]

A Baker's Dozen - Five

Twelve Pedro boys, twelve stand alone short stories, all set in the same bakery.

Hello!

A surprise early drop of part five! I didn't want this gentleman to be lost among the Christmas cheer on Sunday night so please enjoy him a couple of days early.

This man was the one that most intimidated me to write, and I think that's true for most of us. Luckily my dear friend @morallyinept is an expert on the subject of this particular Pedro boy, and beta read it. Thank you so much Jett, your encouragement makes this a lot less scary!

Please say hello to Pedro boy number five...

Series Master List

It’s not the first time you’ve seen him in your bakery. Sometimes, when you have your extra staffer in over the weekend to handle the crowds, you’ve seen him waiting in line. Somehow he always comes in when you’re not at the counter, or dealing with another customer, but when you glance out through the open kitchen door, you spot him. More than once. And he’s always watching you, dark brown eyes, curious, intelligent, carefully watching. It intrigues you, and it scares you. 

He’s easy to recognise, the bright blonde patch of hair over his forehead makes him memorable, if nothing else. But the way he stands, the weight of his body on one leg, leaning forward onto it while he tilts his head and observes you through the open door with a wry smirk. It makes you think of a trickster, a smooth talker who will smile and charm you with his words while he tries to sell you real estate on the moon. Your eyes meet and he grins, holding up his hand in a nonchalant greeting. You let your eyes glide over him, ignoring his wave as if you didn’t see him, busy looking for a pan or a bowl. 

He comes in the next day again, you catch him from the corner of your eye as he steps up to the counter, just as you come out of the fridge. He doesn’t see you this time you think, so you hurry out of sight and go back to measuring flour into the large mixer. Through the door you can hear him talk to the high schooler you’ve got handling the Saturday afternoon rush. 

“Afternoon, may I ask after the proprietor of this fine bakery?” the man says, and his southern accent is eloquent in a way that reminds you of old films, theatrical and exaggerated, you can hear the smirk in his tone. In your mind he sweeps an old fashioned hat off his head and bows like the ringmaster at the circus. It puts your teeth on edge and you hope to escape his attention. 

“She’s busy right now but I’ll see if she has time,” your highschooler says and you sigh, waving your hand no when they come into the kitchen 

“I’m sorry, she’s right in the middle of something, can I take a message?” 

“No bother, I’ll stop by later, I have a proposal to the lady that’s best delivered in person.” 

You hear him say goodbye and then the door jingles and the hum of the afternoon rush continues as you turn on the big dough mixer, drowning out all else. You wonder what kind of proposal the man could have for you, his response was almost as if he was preparing a sale. The thought calms you and annoys you a little, dealing with insistent sales people was your least favorite activity as a business owner. There was always someone trying to sell you a new mixer or a new oven. You hope he doesn’t come back, but at least you know how to brush off a sales person if needed. 

He doesn’t come back until Tuesday, when you’re alone in the bakery, just before closing. The door jingles and you look up, seeing his smile as he steps across the threshold. 

“Afternoon,” he says, coming up to the counter, giving you a gallant nod in greeting, “I was hoping to catch you at a more quiet time, seeing as the end of the day draws near. I hope my interference doesn’t disrupt your day too greatly and cause you disturbance.” 

His smile sits fixed on his face, as if rehearsed to look polite and genuine, to sell you something. 

It’s hard to press back your customer service persona, so you give him a polite smile, internally you’re gearing up to be courteous but dismissive. 

“How can I help you?” you ask, and his smile widens into a grin as he tilts his head to the side and looks at you. 

“I’m in the market for a special type of treat, one which I hope you’ll indulge me in making,” he holds out his left hand to you, “I’m Ezra, and I really hope you can help me, miss…?” 

You take his hand and awkwardly shake it, ignoring his question, but your eyebrows shoot up in surprise. You’d been so certain he’d try to sell you something, you hadn’t considered that he’d be the one asking you to sell him something special even though special requests weren’t a rare thing. 

“If it’s doable and I know how to make it, I’m sure we can come up with something,” you reply and he nods his head.

“Oh, I’ll pay, handsomely, of course,” 

“What did you have in mind?” you ask, and his smile stretches even further, making his teeth show, and you balk, a tinge of unease shooting up your spine. In the back of your mind you’re reminded of the poem; ‘Will you walk into my parlour, said a spider to a fly.’ There’s a layer of something underneath that smile that unnerves you.

“A sentimental old favorite of mine, chocolate soufflé,” he says, his eyes suddenly slipping into softness as he seems to look past you, “Light, airy, rich and velvety.” 

He waves his hand as if he’s conjuring the dessert out of thin air, a dreamy look on his face that’s quickly replaced by his grin as he turns his attention back to you. 

“It’s an arduous dessert to master, only the most skilled bakers can create it. Are you skilled, sugar?” 

You give him a scowl, you’ve heard every pet name in the book vaguely related to baking by now and none of them sit well with you. 

He catches on to your scowl and chuckles, “Not ‘sugar’ then,” he grins as you put your smallest customer service smile back on. 

“I can make soufflé but I won’t be able to sell them here,” you explain, shaking your head. “They’re too delicate and need to be served and eaten straight out of the oven. But I’m sure there’s restaurants who have soufflé on the menu.”

Ezra shakes his head with a rueful look,”I’m afraid I’ve tried that route, but none of the restaurants in town have exactly what I desire on the menu, and they won’t make it as a special order. So my hope lies with you, cookie.” 

He chuckles again when he sees the flash of annoyance at the pet name, his eyes crinkling at the corners, his smile suddenly looking genuine, “If you’d told me your name when I introduced myself I would gladly use that instead of causing an umbridge with my embarrassing choices of guesses.” 

You ignore his comment about your name, feeling even less inclined to give it to him, and instead you begin wiping down the counter for the end of the day. 

“I’m sorry none of the restaurants have it, but I’m afraid I can’t help you, I can’t make the soufflé and then wait for you to come in, it would be flat and dull and I couldn’t sell you that.” 

“I’m sure you observed, because I’ve observed you in turn, several times, that I’ve been studying you,” Ezra says, his eyes narrowing as he gives you a charming smile, cocking his head to the side and leaning against the counter on his left side, watching you run the cloth over the display cases. 

“You’re the most talented baker I’ve seen in all my travels, all you sell here, you make with your own gifted hands,” he waves his hand around the bakery, “And I’ve sampled many of your delectable delights, nothing rivals what you can bake, cupcake.” 

His words make your cheeks heat up against your will as you glare at the pet name and he smiles back at you. . 

“It won’t change the physics of the soufflé though,” you point out, “it will still fall flat if it’s out of the oven waiting for the customer.” 

“Well, crumpet, I have a remedy for that, I have thought of it all. You make it for me while I wait, right here, after hours,” he says, leaning forward when he sees your doubtful face. He takes the cloth from your hand, stilling your movement as he wraps his fingers around yours, just tight enough for you not to be able to just yank them away. His eyes closer to yours now, imploring you to hear him out, and you don’t fail to note that his expression shifts into something more innocent, his brown eyes wide open, forehead pulled up as he pleads with you

“Please, truly, it may only be a soufflé to you, but it really does mean an awful lot to me, to be able to have this dessert again, to remind me of better days, happier times.” 

His fingers squeeze yours gently while he talks, “I lost my arm, a while back now, in a mining accident,” he says, looking down to his right hand side where you only now notice that his jacket sleeve hangs limp, “I used to love to bake, but I can’t anymore, on account of my…condition.”  

“I’m sorry to hear that,” you reply politely and Ezra nods again.

“It’s been a while now, I’m getting used to navigating life without it,” he says, shrugging his shoulders, “But I can’t bake, not like I used to, not something that requires two stable hands.”

He lets go of you and stands up, grabbing the empty sleeve of his jacket and lifts it up, “Imagine if this happened to you,” he says, giving the sleeve a frustrated tug as his voice gains an edge of annoyance, “Imagine if you, from one cursed day to the next, not only lost your ability to do your job, but also your ability to perform the most entertaining of tasks.” 

You feel your resolve slipping, he’s turned his eyes back on yours and falls silent, for what feels like for the first time since he stepped into the shop. His hand is on the counter between you, open, like he’s waiting for you to take it and shake on your agreement, and his eyes are imploring, his eyebrows raised. 

Like this he looks less like a trickster, the facade has slipped a bit, or maybe he’s pulled a new one up, you feel like you can’t be sure. You glance down at his empty sleeve and make up your mind, you’d be devastated if you couldn’t bake again. 

“Ok, I’ll make your soufflé, any way you want it,” you say, taking his hand, and Ezra’s face breaks into a wide smile. 

“Thank you, bon bon! Your kind gesture makes me most hopeful for the future, there are still good people in this world, prepared to help a poor, armless, man.” 

“Enough with the names,” you give him a small scowl, but you can’t help but smile at the same time, his own smiling, face seems genuine, honestly happy for your service. 

“Such a sweet baker lady has to have a name that matches the sweetness of her produce, jelly pie,” he chuckles, “I’ll keep trying them out until I find the one that sticks.” 

“If I hear one I like I’ll let you know, just don’t hold your breath,” you reply, but you’re smiling at him now and he seems less wiley with the change of his demeanor, more straightforward, as he runs his hand through his hair and grins at you. 

“So when do you want to do this? And what kind of chocolate soufflé do you want?” you ask, pulling out your notebook. 

“I once went to a small restaurant in France, a tiny little village, somewhere in the mountains north of Cannes,” he says, “and the chef would cover the bottom of the ramekin with caramel, sprinkle it with sal de mer before he poured in the chocolate and then finish with a little bit more just on top.” His hand makes a sprinkling movement over the top of the imaginary soufflé ramekin. “It was inspired, divine,” Ezra smiles at you, an excited gleam in his eyes, that you recognise all too well. “I asked him for the recipe and he was benevolent enough to make a gift of it to me, a small souvenir of a joyous visit and happier times.” 

Something in the way he says the last words, a slight slip in the excitement, a flash of something darker across his face, makes you open your mouth. But you close it again as his eyes brighten, the smile comes back up in place and he looks at you. 

“I had to translate the recipe into English of course, and now I have it memorized, from all the times I made it myself.” 

“Let me make a list then, and I’ll get the ingredients for next week, how about next Tuesday night? Does that work for you?” you ask and Ezra nods. 

“Any day would suit me, shortcake,” he grins and you roll your eyes, “But if it’s not too much trouble, I would prefer an earlier day? Maybe tomorrow even? And I’ll help you make it, as long as you have the ingredients?” 

You glance over at your calendar, you have nothing planned for tomorrow night and you’ll have time to get the ingredients into your usual weekly order tonight.

“It’ll be tight, but I think I can make it work, if I place the order straight away. Unless there’s something special in the recipe I should have all the ingredients already, eggs, cocoa and chocolate,” you list the items on your fingers, thinking out loud, “oh, I should get some extra cream.”  

“This chef used milk instead of cream,” Ezra interjects, “he said it made for a lighter soufflé.” 

“Ok, that’s fine, I’ve made them with milk in the past,” you nod, tapping your pen as you think and Ezra studies you, you can feel his eyes on you as his mouth quirks up in a small smile. 

“I do enjoy seeing you entranced by baking,” he says, “your attention to detail in the kitchen has kept me captivated while watching you work.” 

“I saw you, and I’ve got to say, kinda creepy to be watching people like that,” you reply and his eyebrows immediately pull together in an apologetic frown. 

“My apologies, sweet cannoli, but I was truly enwrapped by your work, your skill, I didn’t mean to be unsettling.” He reaches out and puts his hand on yours again, giving it a light squeeze as he leans forward, finding your eyes and searching them to make sure you accept his apology, “I truly am very sorry.” 

“It’s fine, just come in and say hello next time,” you reply, “and never call me ‘cannoli’ again.” The last thing you say with a roll of your eyes and Ezra laughs. 

“I didn’t think that one would stick, didn’t have much of a ring to it.” 

He gives your hand a last squeeze and lets go of it, raising his own in a wave. 

“Until tomorrow then, jelly,” he says and you give him a mock scowl that makes him grin wide, “Not ‘jelly’ either then,” he chuckles, “I’ll think of some new ones for tomorrow.” 

“No pet names necessary, Ezra,” you tell him, but he shakes his head. 

“No, no, you won’t tell me your name, now I make up my own, I will find the perfect one before we’re done. Until tomorrow, muffin.” 

“Absolutely not,” you call after him, “But I’ll see you tomorrow.” 

Ezra gives you a final grin before he exits and you see him walk off down the street. 

He appears again the next day, just before closing like the last time, giving you a polite nod and waiting by the door as you serve your last customer of the day. As the woman leaves, he steps forwards and gives you what feels like a genuine smile, unlike the rehearsed one he’d greeted you with yesterday.

“My sweet cream puff, I have been looking forward to this all day, I’ve been dreaming about finally eating this chocolate soufflé again,” he says, putting his hand on your arm and giving it a light squeeze. His hair looks freshly washed and cut, as does his patchy beard, and he brings a faint smell of cologne into the bakery. With his warm smile and neater appearance, he doesn’t look at all like the unnerving man you’d observed watching you the past few days, and you feel yourself relaxing. 

“Cream puff?” you laugh, “Better, but still not acceptable, Ezra.” 

“I have all evening to get it right,” he grins and holds up a take out bag, “I thought we could perhaps have dinner and not sustain ourselves only on soufflé, delectable as it may be. If that’s not too forward of me?” He says the last thing with his eyebrows raised in question and you shake your head. 

“Not at all, dinner would be nice, I’m getting a little bit hungry already.” 

“Then may I suggest dinner first, and then I get to enjoy the evening’s entertainment; watching you make the soufflé?” 

“Sounds like a plan, let me get some cutlery and glasses and we can eat out here,” you say. As you walk back into the kitchen, you can’t help but smile to yourself. This strange man is growing on you, his smooth southern drawl makes his flowery language work, and you have to admit, he scrubs up well, with his curls and his bright blonde patch. 

When you return with plates and cutlery, Ezra has set the take out on one of the café tables and is struggling with the knot on the plastic bag. You see the annoyance in his face as he tugs at the tight knot, digging his nails into it to get a grip, but failing as the plastic moves under his one hand. The sight fills you with empathy and you’re suddenly very glad you agreed to make him the soufflé. 

He hears your footsteps as you approach and he looks up, “It would seem the plastic bag has me beat,” he sighs, “I wanted to have it all laid out for you as you returned, after all, you’re doing all the baking later, the least I could do is lay the table. But not even that is something I can manage these days with…” He jerks his head in annoyance at the empty sleeve of his jacket and sighs. 

“It’s no bother,” you say, giving him a warm smile to put him at ease, and it seems to work. He smiles back at you, his brown eyes crinkling at the corners and you notice the dimple in his cheek under the patchy beard as he takes a step to the side, letting you put down the plates and cutlery.

“It’s why I agreed to bake the soufflé for you, I’m more than happy to help.” You untie the bag and lift out the containers as Ezra lays the table, taking meticulous care to line up the plates and the cutlery on either side, finding a few napkins and arranging them too. You go behind the counter to get rid of the bag and when you come back, Ezra has pulled out your chair for you and is waiting behind it with a smile. 

“I know this is purely a business transaction, but I have to confess, I’m very happy for the chance to spend an evening in the company of someone who shares my passion for baking���, he says.

“Thank you, Ezra,” you smile as you sit down and he slides the chair in, “I have to admit, I wasn’t sure what you wanted when I first noticed you looking, but this has turned out a lot nicer than just trying to tell another sales rep that I’m not interested in a new oven.” 

Ezra has sat down across from you and now he chuckles, “You thought I was going to sell you a new oven?” 

“A new oven, a new fridge, new baking pans,” you sigh, “you name it, the sales reps have been in here trying to convince me to throw out my working equipment and spend money I don’t have, on their new shiny product.” 

“Well, I’m glad I could surprise you then,” he replies as he begins to open the take out containers, “But I have another confession, I came into your bakery because what you displayed looked incredible, but….” he trails off, glancing up at you with a small smile before he begins scoop rice onto his plate, “I stayed because the woman who runs the bakery is captivating.” 

You feel your cheeks heat up as Ezra looks up at you again and he smiles as he sees your reaction. 

“And I don’t just mean that you’re beautiful, although that is certainly no exaggeration. But your talent…your talent….” he chuckles as you give him a bashful grin, “Sweet twinkie, you kept me captivated with your skill as I watched you through the kitchen door. You have such passion for this,” he waves his hand towards the bakery’s display cases, “so much creative talent and skill, I just…” he gives a small laugh, his hand rubbing his cheek as he drops his eyes down to his plate again, his usual confident manner suddenly replaced by an uncharacteristic shyness, “I wanted a chance to talk to you, if you’d let me.” 

“You’re very sweet, Ezra,” you smile, trying to contain the wide smile that’s threatening to take over your face at his praise. 

“It’s only what you deserve,” he says, smiling back at you and handing you one of the take out boxes, “Please, before it gets cold, I’m letting my mouth run away from me as usual.” 

It turns out Ezra had chosen a number of dishes from a local Indian restaurant down the street and you both groan as you pick your way through the selection. 

“I have to remember this place,” you moan around a mouthful of korma, “it’s incredible.” 

Ezra’s mouth is stuffed full with bhaji and he just nods as he chews, a look of bliss on his face as he swallows. 

“The man who runs it, I spoke with him, was most courteous. He recommended his favorites from the menu and I must say, he sure does know how to make people want to return.” 

“And there will be leftovers for days,” you say, leaning back in your chair, your belly full but there’s still so much food on the table. 

“You keep it, my fridge is out of commission at the moment unfortunately,” Ezra says, “you’ll have the most delicious lunch for the next few days.” 

“I can’t take all this food from you,” you protest but Ezra just shakes his head. 

“I have nowhere to keep it.”

“Then keep it here, and come by and have lunch with me,” you suggest, “we can keep talking about baking and you can spend more time in the bakery, maybe we can figure out some things you can still bake.” 

During the course of the meal Ezra had asked you about every aspect of your baking, your process behind the recipes, the techniques you used, the ingredients and where you sourced them. It had been a rare deep dive into your favorite subject with someone who shared your passion for the trade. You felt your attraction for him steadily grow while he leaned his head into his hand and kept his eyes on you as you went into the details of how to grow and maintain a healthy sourdough starter. 

“You won’t grow bored of my company, moon pie?” he smiled, “And my increasingly desperate names for you?” 

“No, I don’t think I’ll grow bored of you,” you smile back at him, “and your names are getting better.” 

He laughs at that and pushes back his chair, “Then let me be a useful guest and clear this for us, and then we can get to the highlight of the evening perhaps?” 

“Sounds like a plan.” 

You lead him back into the kitchen and the plates and cutlery are soon in your industrial sized dishwasher in the back room. You get the ingredients out onto the workbench as Ezra wanders around the kitchen, looking at your equipment and making approving noises. 

“I was never a professional baker like you, but I’m glad to see you favor the same brands for your pans as I do,” he chuckles, “Makes me feel less like a fraud.” 

“I’m sure you’re just as good as I am,” you reply, “your skill didn’t disappear with your arm.” 

He comes up to stand next to you, and as you look up at him, you see his smile fade as he shakes his head. 

“No, but it might as well have, I held my skill in my right hand, my left just isn’t as steady and sometimes you need two hands.” 

“I’m sorry,” you say, shaking your head, “I didn’t mean that it would be as easy as before, just that your knowledge of baking is still intact.” 

He gives you a small smile, his hand coming up to rest on your shoulder for a brief moment, the warmth of his hand seeping through your t-shirt.

“I know, I just get frustrated as I’m reminded of what I used to be able to do.” 

You lightly bump your hip against his and give him a smile, “Well, we’ve got three hands now, and a lot of skill between us, so this will be the best chocolate soufflé ever made.” 

Ezra chuckles and smiles too, his hand slipping from your shoulder. But he doesn’t lift it, instead it drifts down to the small of your back and he leaves it there, as you lean over the notes you’ve made for the recipe. It sits comfortably against the cotton, a small, intimate touch that signals something else building between you, or at least you hope it does. Ezra is a lot more fun to have around than what you thought when you first saw him, and you’re glad he’s proving you wrong. 

“Alright, I’m putting you on butter duty, I know you can do that one handed,” you say, giving him a wink as you look up at him, you want to involve him in this as much as possible, to make him feel good about baking again.”The ramekins are up on that shelf and the saucepan over there, you know what to do.” 

Ezra grins back at you and gives you a sloppy, left handed, salute, “Yes, ma’am, I’m on it.”  

While he gets started you set up the double boiler on your stove and start whisking the ingredients together. Ezra comes over with the saucepan and stands next to you while he melts the butter and you set up a third saucepan for the caramel. 

“The whisking is the really hard part,” he says as you begin to combine the ingredients, “And even if I use a stand mixer for most things, whisking while it’s over the double boiler proved too hard, the saucepan just slid all over the place.” 

“I wonder if there’s a way to maybe keep the saucepan stable?” you think out loud as you continue to stream the cream into the bowl, “Maybe a non-conductive ring, a silicone mold maybe? It wouldn’t heat up on an induction stove, would it?.” 

“Maybe, that’s not a bad idea actually…” he says thoughtfully and you smile up at him. 

“I can hear the cogs in your head turning, Ezra,” you laugh and he laughs with you. 

“Yeah, you got me thinking there, I’ve got silicone oven mitts at home, I need to try with them first and then figure out where to get a ring shaped piece of silicone. But it’s a really good idea, thank you!” 

He leans down and gives you a quick kiss on your cheek and it catches you by surprise, looking up at him and he smiles back. 

“I apologize, a good deed deserves a nice gesture in return, and your cheeks look very kissable, sweet cheeks.” 

He laughs at your exaggerated sigh and eye roll, bumping your hip in return as you’d done to him, “C’mon now, sweet cheeks, as far as pet names go, that one’s pretty good from my perspective.” 

“Keep trying, Ezra,” you laugh, you can’t maintain your fake look of exasperation when he’s smiling at you, his eyes crinkling at the corners and looking at you with such a mischievous grin. 

“Oh I’ll keep trying, biscuit,” he winks, “I’ll win you over soon enough.” 

He steps away to grab a pastry brush, and as you whisk the batter you watch him coat the inside of the ramekins with melted butter. He struggles a bit at first when the first ramekin starts sliding across the workbench, but you quickly grab a kitchen towel, wetting it under the tap before spreading it out on the counter for him to put the ramekins on. 

“You’re just full of bright ideas, pumpkin,” he smiles gratefully as you go back to the double boiler. 

“I have my moments,” you chuckle and you feel his eyes on you as you continue to whisk the batter. 

“You have more than a few moments, I think you have everything,” he says after a little while, his voice low and sincere. It’s ladened with something deeper and it makes you take your eyes off the batter and look up at him. He’s looking back at you, smiling, but there’s another layer to his eyes, like he’s smiling through a memory. A strange mix of regret and sadness flashes across his face, gone, as quickly as it appeared, and his smile grows wider, you realize it’s not reaching his eyes this time. But as you open your mouth to say something, he speaks first, turning back to the ramekins. 

“What’s the next step, boss?” he asks, his voice back to the same cheerful tone he had just a few moments ago, and you’re certain you can see the mask come up this time. But you don’t challenge him, he’s hiding something, or at least there’s something he doesn’t want to share. So you consult your notes and point him to the egg whites. 

“Use the Husqvarna and make the meringue while I chop the chocolate.” 

“Yes, ma’am,” he replies and gets to work, the whisking made easy this time with the help of the mixer. 

You continue preparing the chocolate batter and when Ezra is done with the meringue, you fold it into the airy egg whites, bringing them together into a light fluffy mixture. Ezra watches you as you drizzle a layer of caramel into the ramekins he’s prepared, leaving him to sprinkle a few flakes of sea salt before you scoop the soufflé batter on top, finishing with him sprinkling another few flakes on the chocolate. 

“Done,” you say, "we make a good team, Ezra.” 

“We do, and you’ve made this one handed fool very happy, letting him finally get to taste these soufflés again,” he says as you laugh and shake your head. 

“No early victories, please! We still have to bake them and you know how fickle soufflés are.” You take the oven tray you’ve placed the ramekins on and carefully move them into the oven, turning down the heat. 

“With this team?” Ezra chuckles, “I have all the faith in the world, cherry pie.” 

“Better,” you smile at him as you watch him wipe down the workbench and then turn to jump up to sit on it. 

“Better?” His eyebrows quirk up as he grins and holds out his hand for you, “Am I getting warm with my names?” 

You jump up on the workbench and sit next to him, shaking your head, “No, I just find the man using them more agreeable.” 

Ezra smiles, his dark eyes glinting as he turns to you, “You didn’t find me agreeable when I first arrived at your bakery?” 

“Not…un-agreeable,” you say, thinking out loud and studying his face, the bright blonde patch of hair over his forehead curling with the heat in the kitchen, as are the unruly strands of hair around his neck, patchy beard over his jaw and cheeks, his mouth twitching up in a smile as he waits for you to continue. 

“Just…hard for me to place? What you wanted. And why you were always looking at me,” you say and Ezra’s smile softens. 

“I looked, because you’re beautiful.” 

He says it so simply, no flourish, no fanfare or exaggeration. Just a statement as he keeps his eyes locked on yours, no smile, no grin, just his face, quietly scanning yours for a reaction. 

You lift your hand and lightly touch his cheek, fingertips tracing his jaw, the short hairs of his beard, tickling under your caress as he slowly exhales. 

He leans his face into your palm, your thumb soothing over the lines at the corners of his eyes as they close, and he lets a small sigh slip out, his warm breath tickling your wrist. Your thumb caresses his cheek while you study his face, the dark eyelashes casting shadows and his features soft, relaxed in a way you haven’t seen since he first showed up. He looks younger as you gently explore his lines with your fingertips and let them melt into softness under your touch. 

A quiet hum escapes him as he tilts his head and lets your hand slip over his jaw and back to his neck. The curls are soft, wayward, and wrap easily around your fingers as you lean forward. The plush swell of his bottom lip is irresistible and you press your mouth carefully against it. 

Ezra’s eyes fly open as your lips meet, his eyes dark and smiling. His hand comes up and gently mirrors your own, cupping your cheek as he presses his lips against yours in return. As you close your eyes, you feel his warm palm hold you steady and you part your lips, the tip of his tongue meeting yours, tasting him. His touch is soft, both his hand and his lips, making warmth spread through your body as he pulls you closer.  

He kisses you like he’s trying to learn how to read you, studying your reaction to how his lips mold against yours as he tastes your tongue under his. Each moan he pulls from you makes him come back to pull it from you again, running his tongue over the same spot, nipping on your bottom lip with a gentle tug. You realize you started the kissing, but Ezra quickly takes control, his hand cupping your cheek, keeping you steady as your own hands caress his back, feeling the bunched muscles under his thin shirt, the warmth of his body heating your palms. You can feel his heartbeat against you, your own pulse thrumming under his fingertips as he pulls another moan from you when his hand slips into your hair.  

He groans into your mouth and scoots off the workbench, pulling you with him so that he gains extra height on you. The change in angle lets him wrap his arm around your shoulders and pull you in closer, pressing his lips to yours as your hands slide down his back, dipping into the waistband of his pants, finding the warm skin just under the edge.

With a groan, he pulls back, his hand still curled around the back of your neck, your arms still around his waist. You look up at him but his eyes are closed and he leans down, letting his nose run along yours, caressing your cheek, down your jaw, breathing hot over your skin, while he nuzzles your neck, inhaling deeply. 

“Like chocolate,” he mutters, “and caramel. What I wouldn’t give…” 

He falls silent, his lips pressing against your neck in a searing kiss that makes heat rush through your body, before he pulls back and stands up. 

“I’d tell you your kisses are the sweetest thing I’ve ever tasted in this bakery, but I don’t think even I could get away with that comment,” he smiles and you roll your eyes with a giggle. 

“Not even you, Ezra,” you say, “although I’d say it’s a nice effort and that your kisses are just as sweet.” 

“We make a good team,” he smiles, letting his thumb caress your cheek again as you nod. His eyes are still on you and you feel him studying you again, but it doesn’t feel awkward this time, just…breathtaking. Your breath hitches as his eyes slip over your lips, his thoughts clear on his face as the tip of his tongue peaks out. He’s the one who leans in this time, watching you close your eyes as he presses a gentle kiss to your lips, his thumb and finger catching your chin. When he pulls away a fraction, you open your eyes again and he’s smiling at you. The oven timer is beeping in the background and you hadn’t even noticed, his soft lips distracting you both from the insistent sound. 

“I’ll get the timer, you get the soufflés,” he whispers and you nod slowly as he smiles and presses another soft kiss to your lips. 

“Now, my sweet cherry pie, or we’ll have a very flat dessert.” 

You smile back at him and grab the oven mitts and follow him to the oven. 

This next step is crucial, carefully you open the door and slide out the tray. They’ve risen perfectly but as soon as they’re out of the oven they start cooling down and soon they’ll sink. You set the tray down on the workbench and Ezra brings over two dessert spoons. His face is beaming at the sight of the soufflés, sniffing as the warm chocolate scent fills the kitchen. 

“They smell even better than the ones I made,” he grins as you slide a ramekin over to him. 

“A team effort, Ezra,” you smile, “your recipe, our skill.” 

“Your hands, luckily,” he replies, holding up his first spoonful of soufflé as if he’s toasting you, and you clink your spoon against his before you both have your first taste. 

The flavor is rich in your mouth but the texture is light and airy, a small hint of sal de mer hitting your tongue as you hum around the taste. Ezra’s eyes are closed, his head tilted back as he sucks on the spoon, a low rumble coming from his chest as he savors the chocolate. 

“My sweet soufflé,” he smiles, looking down at you through half closed eyelids, “this…this…is heaven.” 

He digs his spoon in, and gets some of the caramel too, taking another mouthful as he groans again. You copy him and make sure to get both caramel and soufflé on your spoon for your next bite, and Ezra was right, the combination is flawless. You sigh around your spoon, slowly sucking the caramel off it as the chocolate melts in your mouth. Ezra is watching you with dark eyes and a small smile, his own spoon forgotten in his hand. 

“I’d bake for you every day, no matter how much I’d struggle, if I could hear you make that sound again,” he says and it makes you laugh, giggling as he grins. He takes another spoonful of soufflé, smiling as he eats it, some of it catching on his mustache and you point at it. 

“You got some chocolate on your beard there.”

Ezra removes the spoon from his mouth and gives you a sly smirk, “I’m sure I won’t be able to reach it with my tongue, why don’t you help me?”. 

The tone of his voice, the mischief it promises, makes hot energy shoot through your nerves, your skin tingling as you put down your spoon and step closer to him. He’s looking down at you, his eyes full of mirth as you take his chin between your thumb and finger, tilting his head down towards you. He comes willingly, a small smile still lingering, and he’s so close, his hand finding its way to your waist. 

“Can you reach it,” he asks in a low voice and you nod, locking eyes with him. They’re the same rich brown as the soufflé, just as warm and soft right now, as you lean in and run your tongue over the corner of his mouth, finding the errant smudge of chocolate. Catching the edge of his mouth between your lips, you lap at the sweet taste. His hand bunches up your shirt and as you run your tongue over the seam of his mouth, he parts it easily, letting you in. He tastes of the dessert and you know he can taste the same on you. 

“I think you got it,” he mumbles, grinning, against your lips as you wrap your arms around his neck and pull him closer. 

“I need to make absolutely sure, can’t let you leave with chocolate all over your mouth,” you smile between kisses. 

“You take such good care of me, honey.” 

“That one’s a winner, Ezra,” you mumble, I’ll keep that one.” 

He chuckles, his lips pulling up in a grin under yours as he kisses you again, “But it’s too ordinary, for such an extraordinary woman.” 

“I like it, especially when it comes from you, you’re extraordinary enough for the both of us.” 

Ezra tugs you closer, making you sigh into him as he buries his face against your neck, pressing a kiss against the soft skin before he rests his head on your shoulder. 

“What am I going to do with you,” he says, more a statement than a question, his hand caressing your back, sliding up into your hair, cupping around your neck, “What am I going to do with myself.”

He slowly begins to sway, moving you back and forth in a slow dance without music. 

“I need to leave soon, but I don’t want to,” he mumbles, gently spinning you around as you let your hand rest on his shoulder, the one missing his arm, “I have to leave this warm kitchen, your tender kisses, this sweet nest you’ve built for us.” 

He spins you again, moving your body slowly with his own. 

“This home you’ve created for someone like me.” 

Before you can ask what he means he steps back, taking your hand in his, and with a flourish and bow, he kisses the back of it, making you smile.  

“I am afraid, my sweet baker girl, that it is time for my departure, I will steal no more hours from you,” he says, letting go of your hand and taking his coat from the hook by the kitchen door, shrugging it back on, the empty sleeve hanging limp by his side. The other arm he hooks around your waist and leads you back out to the shop, towards the door. 

“Ezra, it’s pouring outside,” you say, seeing the rain slick street outside, the asphalt shining black under the streetlights, “Let me at least give you a lift home, you’ll get soaked. Where do you live?” 

“No, it’s no trouble, honey pie, my car is parked just a block away. And unlike you, my sweet thing, I am not made of sugar, a little rain won’t melt me,” he grins. 

A twinge of regret hits your heart as you see the mask so clearly come up over his face again, the dark eyes shifting into something less open, the softness fading away even as he smiles at you.

“Do you have to leave?” you ask as he opens the door, and he turns, resting his back against the frame of the door. 

“The illusion has to break,” he says softly, raising his hand and running the back of it over your cheek, giving you a small wink, but the mischief doesn’t reach his eyes this time. 

“What does that mean, Ezra?” you ask but he just shakes his head, leaning forward and pressing his lips to yours. 

“Take care of my soufflé recipe, sweet girl,” he mumbles, pulling back and giving you a crooked smile. Then he turns and hurries across the street, the rain splashing around his shoes as he pulls his collar up and disappears into the darkness between the streetlights. 

…

The bell of the front door jingles just as you’re sweeping the floor, and as you look up, you spot Barbara from the dry cleaner across the street stepping into the shop. 

“Hi, you’re still open this late?” she asks, shaking out her platinum blonde box dye curls and you internally sigh, Barbara is the neighborhood chatterbox and you just want to go home, it’s been a long day. But you put on a smile and continue sweeping.

“I’m just getting ready to leave, what’s up?” 

“I meant to come earlier but I’ve been so busy. I just wanted to warn you in case he comes by here too,” she says, eyes scanning your bakery as if she’s looking for someone.

“Who?” you ask and she turns back to you. 

“There’s a man, you’ve probably seen him, shifty looking guy, he only has one arm, and a weird blonde patch in his hair. He’s been around to all the shops in this neighborhood. I saw him outside your place earlier today.”  

“What about him?” you ask, keeping your voice neutral as you duck down and wipe a shelf that’s already been cleaned, hiding your face. 

“He’s been conning business into giving him free stuff all week, food, clothes, shoes,” Barbara says, wrinkling her nose in disgust at the very nerve of asking for something for free. “Mr. Mason even gave him a haircut and trimmed his beard, how he dared to do that I don’t even know. I wouldn’t even let him into the dry cleaners, you can’t trust people like that.” 

You’re listening, your hand cleaning the same spot over and over as lead settles in your stomach. 

“H-how do you know that?” you ask, moving to the coffee machine, rubbing it down with your back to her. 

“Mrs. Levinson told me that Fanny, you know Fanny, in the flower shop?”

“Yeah, I know here, what did she say?” you ask impatiently, yanking at the milk nozzle, and you hear Barbara scoff behind you. 

“Well, apparently, this man, he told Mr. Olson at the hardware store, that he lost his arm in a construction accident, but Mrs.Saqib’s husband works at the hospital and he said this guy came in last year with a gunshot wound, all infected and nasty. And that’s how he lost his arm,” she snorts, cackling to herself. 

You continue to clean the machine, the heavy weight in your stomach turning to nausea, trying to keep your breathing steady as Ezra’s warm smile floats up inside your mind. 

“He told the police he got shot at a poker game and it was an accident but I reckon he’s lying,” Barbara continues, “men like that, you never know what they get up to, a real nasty piece of work I think.” 

“Thanks Barbara,” you snap, “I really need to close up and get home, thanks for telling me, I’ll be careful if I see him.” 

You usher her to the door as she huffs at the abrupt interruption to her gossip session but you can’t get her out fast enough, slamming the door harder than necessary and giving her a strained smile through the window as she waves. 

You hurry back to the kitchen, the ramekins still on the workbench and Ezra’s spoon next to them, just where he’d put it before he kissed you no more than a little while ago. You can’t even look at it, pulling your coat off the hook, you rush out through the back door and into the rain. 

Early next morning, long before the rest of the world is awake, you’re back at the bakery after a sleepless night. No matter how little rest you got, the bakery has to open, and for it to open, you need to bake. Familiar motions of the early hours, a chance to stop your mind from spinning, it feels like a small relief today. The thoughts of Ezra in your tired mind won’t let your head relax and as you walk up to the back steps you almost miss the envelope pushed under the door. 

You unlock the door and slip out the note inside while you step inside. The piece of paper is folded in an uneven line and as you smooth it out you see the unsteady handwriting of someone who’s writing with the wrong hand. 

I know what they say about me, the gossip, the rumors, and I confess, most of it is true. I’m sorry. I wish I was a different man, I wish I could offer you something, anything, but I have nothing to give to anyone.  

I did tell you the truth in the end though. You captivate me. You will always be my most cherished memory. That will always be true. 

Always yours, 

Ezra 

Part Six

Two links this time, one to the NYT recipe and one to the wonderful Claire Saffitz's making the souffles if you want to attempt them yourselves. I've added the caramel and sea salt though, as an extra layer of Ezra ☺

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