Penny watched him indulgently for a moment, a grin on her round face. She loved to watch someone enjoy her cooking, it was better even than eating it. This man ate her cookies with a primal pleasure she couldn’t help but enjoy. So she allowed herself just a moment to truly enjoy it before she turned away and headed over to a sparkling clean counter. 

Such gustatory appreciation should be rewarded, she thought as she pulled down a glass and moved to the beverage dispenser and filled it with creamy white liquid, chilled to the perfect temperature. She was halfway back to him when he began apologizing and got around to asking for the milk she was in the process of carrying him.

“Pish-posh.” She said as she set it down before him. “Not rude at all.” She pushed the glass closer to him and took a step back.

“And I’ll have you know that’s the real stuff, none of that synthesized milk. I save that for cooking since you just cannot convince me there isn’t a taste difference.” 

She brushed back her fall of hair with the back of a wrist and flicked a glance at the clock high up on the wall. She had a few more minutes before Jack got there and she’d cleaned just about everything she could. 

“My name is Penny, Penny Raffin. I’m mostly the baker round these parts but I do make a fantastic sandwich. Are you certain I can’t get you something? It really is no trouble…” 

She was already moving back to the deli-counter and opening up the prep-fridge and seeing all the well organized and labeled containers. 

“Let’s see, we have tuna salad, ham, cheese and some Roast beef it looks like…” She rummaged a bit and exclaimed, “Jackpot! A bit of Josey’s pulled pork! I had some for lunch, it was wonderful. Do you want?”