Flour Girl (Bucky x reader Bakery AU)

Part 3

Characters: reader, Bucky (Jimmy), Clint, Wanda.

Summary: Discovering the cute guy you just flirted with is the heir of a rival bakery, you suddenly find yourself running into him all over the city. Can your small boutique bakery compete? And how do you deal with the guy who seems determined to make your life a living hell? Luckily you're distracted by a secret admirer...But who is he? (Inspired by "You've Got Mail", Enemies to Lovers)

Warnings: none! Mild swearing?

Word Count: 1.1k

A/N: You guys!!! I'm so happy that you're all excited for more!! Like...more texting banter and ridiculous insults?? ;) haha. I adore you all for your support LOVE all the feedback I'm receiving! Please let me know your thoughts on part 3!! I adore you all!!<3

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Previously:

Back at work, you couldn't help but think about that absurd text conversation. It was probably just a one-time thing, but it definitely turned your whole day around. Pulling out the ingredients to make tart dough, you couldn't help but hum to yourself. Thank you, dude.

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Later that afternoon, you had finished most of your prep work for the day but chose to avoid the paperwork waiting in your office, so you told Wanda she could take a break. You loved the baking behind the scenes, but also enjoyed helping customers when you had the time.

Carrying a tray of almond croissants fresh from the oven, you grabbed a set of tongs and began restocking the empty space in the pastry case. They had sold out quickly today, which made you proud.

"Ooh, those look good," you heard a male voice say.

Straightening up from your crouch position, you turned with a smile to greet him but instead met a familiar face. Unfortunately.

"Y/N, was it? This is a cute little shop," Jimmy spoke, his eyes wandering around the bakery that was your pride and joy. The words were complimentary, but the way he said it made it sound condescending. Or maybe you were imagining things.

"What are you doing here?" you said, a little sharply.

"I recall that you said I should come visit this morning. Did I mishear you, or..." he trailed off with a raised eyebrow.

You fumbled with the tongs, embarrassed. "I...well, that was before...I didn't know..." You took a deep breath and calmed your nerves. "Are you here to spy on me? Check out the competition?"

Jimmy scoffed at that. "Hardly. My father has been in business for 20 years. We're good at what we do. Most small businesses fail within the first year, especially food establishments. He's seen many shops come and go without any worry, so, no. I don't think there's any need for me to spy," he smirked, amused at your reaction.

You couldn't help it. Anger filled you as he all but said that you were going to fail. That you weren't even worth considering as competition. You've given your heart and soul, your life's blood into this bakery. How dare he belittle you and your business? And yet, you stood frozen with tongs in hand, unable to fire back with a witty retort in the moment.

"So. Can I get one of your almond croissants and a ganache tart, please? They've come highly recommended." Jimmy continued to give that smirk that you'd love to smack right off his face.

"Of course!" you heard Wanda reply from behind you, unaware she had returned. "Do you want me to take over Y/N?"

Recovering from the unfair accusations from the man before you, all you could do was hand Wanda the tongs and slink back into the kitchen without a word. The fury returned as you paced back and forth between the workbench and shelves of ingredients opposite. There wasn't much room to pace, but after a few passes you were fuming. You heard the jangle of bell the over the door and dared to peek out of the kitchen.