Chapter Seventy Seven - Fallout from Exposure

As the day progressed, the bakery grew busier. Food bloggers snapped photos of artfully arranged pastries, their excited chatter filling the air. Amelia overheard snippets of their conversations – "amazing texture", "innovative flavors", "you have to try this!" By mid-afternoon, they had sold out of several items. Alessandro emerged from the kitchen, flour dusting his hair, to announce that they'd have to start a second batch of their popular olive and rosemary focaccia. As the last customers left and they began to clean up, Amelia felt a wave of exhaustion and relief wash over her. Alessandro came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. "We did it," he murmured into her hair. Amelia leaned back against him, allowing herself a moment of pure contentment. "We did," she agreed. "But this is just the beginning." Over the next few weeks, Amelia and Alessandro threw themselves into revitalizing the business. They introduced new menu items, sourcing ingredients from local pro