[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/USb1KVF.png[/img][/center][hr]
The newcomer had a small order of a simple cup black coffee, something that did leave an impression on Grayson. After all, he didn’t even get his name, but Grayson didn’t mind that. Everyone had their own style and way of doing things, and he felt the guy didn’t seem to need to open up about himself, nor did he leave a bad taste in Grayson’s mouth. Besides, he felt he’d have plenty of chances of getting on the stranger’s good side, especially if they went to the event tonight. 

And after he had given the man his coffee, Grayson turned his attention to Robin to get her order, saying hello and reassuring her that everything was fine. After her was his next customer, Olivia, the town’s wine stewardess. She’d been in Valbree for awhile now, and he had to admit, her wine was amazing. He didn’t want to sell it in the café though, partially because he felt it didn’t fit a café and partially because he felt any alcohol should go to the bar. He didn’t want to compete any more than he already had to, and he respected Waconia enough to not step over that self imposed alcohol boundary, even if it could be seen as small.

 Regardless of that, he knew Olivia was a good person, and he definitely didn’t mind the extra company from her dog either. He’d gladly clean up the mess the St. Bernard could leave. Though before he got an official order, she bolted out of the café in a rush. It also seemed a lot of his samples of his cakes and pastries were gone, but he supposed that was alright in the end as he could always make more. 

With everyone taken care of so far, it was finally time to start working on some meals and snacks for the party tonight. When it came down to it, he ultimately decided on 3 things: a simple Greek salad for a healthy option, blueberry muffins with cream cheese filling for a twist, and a special plate of strawberry cream puffs for the mayor. A bit devious, but it would certainly be funny to say the least. After all, the best way to start the new year was with a prank on the Mayor. And with so much food going around, it’d be easy to pin what was to come on the food simply not agreeing with him. 

With a smirk, he started to write down the ingredients for the salad:
[hider= list of Salad ingredients]
- Shredded romaine lettuce
- Red onions, thinly sliced
- Black pitted olives
- Plum tomatoes cut into wedges
- Peeled cucumbers, sliced
- Crumbled feta cheese
- Small sweet potatoes
- Mayo
- Vinegar
- Confectioners sugar[/hider]

He knew he’d have to increase the amount of each ingredient so that it would fit into the large party bowl just for these occasions. The same could be said for the muffins as well, and so he began to write down those as well. 
[hider= Muffin list]
Toppings:
- Flour
- Sugar
- Salt
- Melted, unsalted butter. 
Muffin:
- Eggs
- Granulated sugar
- Vegetable oil
- Vanilla extract
- White vinegar
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Sour cream
- Flour
- Blueberries
Filling:
- Cream cheese
- Granulated sugar [/hider]
Last but not least, he needed to decide on the cream puff ingredients too. Luckily, since it was for one he could write the amounts. 
[hider= Creampuff list]
Puffs:
- 1 cup of Water
- 1/2 cup Butter
- 1 teaspoon Sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt
- 1 cup Flour
- 4 Eggs
Cream filling:
- 2 pints fresh strawberries
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 cups whipped cream
- Confectioners sugar
- More strawberries
- Mint leaves
- Laxatives[/hider]

Feeling that the rest of the town would be busy and having already served a couple people, he closed the shop for the day so that he could prepare this mini feast...

Later...

Grayson was tired to say the least, rushing to the Mayor’s place with a utility cart that was carrying his various items.  The cooking had taken him far longer than he had anticipated, and while he hated being late, he felt it would be worth it when the mayor ate the items that Grayson had cooked last: the cream puffs. If he hadn’t put laxatives in them, he definitely would have eaten them all as a reward of his hard work. He just hoped he had made enough for the town, and if he hadn’t, he supposed the prank would be suffice payment. 

Finally arriving, the first thing Grayson did was collapse and lean against the cart, breathing heavily from exhaustion. He hadn’t changed out of his work attire, and he even still had his apron on. He had cleaned up to the best of his ability, but he felt he couldn’t have afforded to waste more time on looking fancy as he was already late. But he had made it now, so what was a couple more minutes to rest before he could give the Mayor his food? So he sat there on the ground, exhausted and attempting to catch his breath. The aroma of his food made his stomach growl, but he was a bit too tired to move and begrudgingly began the wait until he would feel a bit better.