James spent the day at the bakery, quietly observing Lucy from his spot near Anabella. His young mind, sharp and curious, took note of her every move.
He watched as Lucy fumbled with tasks, her hands trembling slightly as if the weight of unseen pressure bore down on her. The tension in her movements was palpable, and it only increased as the day progressed.
Lucy seemed aware of James's eyes on her, and it unnerved her. The more she noticed him watching, the more mistakes she made. A dropped tray here, a spilled cup of coffee there—small mishaps that gradually piled up, drawing attention from the other staff members.
By midday, Lucy's anxiety reached its peak. Her face flushed with embarrassment, and her breath came in quick, shallow gasps as she realized the mounting errors she had made. The last straw came when she knocked over a stack of fresh pastries, sending them tumbling to the floor in a mess of crumbs and icing.