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One of the most powerful aspects of being an influencer was, well, influencing people. Nearly every morning, Emily got up, did her running and tidying, and then made a lovely-looking and extremely healthy breakfast for herself and whoever else was in the studio. This was pretty much her default, and would be regardless of her job. The fact that it helped inspire other people to make similar efforts for themselves? That was the freshly washed, certified organic, sustainably sourced cherry on top.

But over the years she'd gained the awareness that constantly keeping up this image of a healthy lifestyle, even though it was very real, created a certain kind of pressure on her followers that used her lifestyle as an inspiration. A constant scroll of the foods someone like her (talented, trained, relatively wealthy, and who had made this work part of her job) created an unrealistic standard for most people, easily turning a healthy lifestyle in on itself.

And so there was the occasional Sunday brunch or "random" mornings visiting a local restaurant, diner, or bakery. They tended to happen when Dwight did his usual Big Picture scroll, where he took in everything she'd posted on her instagram to pick out a pattern or theme that might my growing, noting anything going too far in any one direction and giving her a break down of what she'd need to focus on for the next week or so.

"You haven't eaten like us heathens for a long time, Em." It was always said with such judgement and received with an equally sullen glare. How dare he judge her eating habits?! They were also his eating habits! This was just an excuse for him to eat donuts!

But, looking up at the tidy and cute looking exterior of A&H bakery, Emily couldn't say she actually minded these little treat days at all. The smell was already enticing her toward the door, but first...

A selfie stick was efficiently whipped out of her purse and her phone was set up in a matter of moments. Anybody looking out the front window would see a small woman in carefully prepared cozy morning attire, trying a few different poses in front of the store as she snapped selfie after selfie.

Freezing for a moment, Emily took one last, slightly confused selfie and then turned to the girl who has just come out of the store. "Oh, I'm not dancing," she explained with a reassuring smile. "And no medical attention is needed. You see, I'm an influencer."

A beat, as the two stared at each other.

"I was taking photos of myself in front of the bakery, so my followers know I'm eating here today. Is this your bakery?"

"Oh no, no, I almost never get in person stalkers," Emily assured her. "Letting people see what I do and where I go is part of the influencing. Some people like to live vicariously through photos of someone having a nice day, and others will find inspiration from it."

Leaning forward, she added, "But if there was danger, I could handle it myself."

With a glance at her phone, she decided she had some good options to choose from later. "Oh, I'll definitely be eating inside. Even from outside I can tell that the lighting will be most excellent. Moving to enter the bakery, she asked, "Does your family focus on any particular theme for your goods? Such as dietary needs or responsible sourcing?"

"When I visit an establishment for the first time, I like to come in and try things without any um...bias or expectations, really." She looked around the shop, noting that the lighting was indeed very nice, especially with this morning sun. "It allows the experience to be more genuine and in the moment, and that's what I like share with people."

Peering in to the case, she looked at the baked good with keen eye. When she was younger, this sort of thing would be accompanied by a ruler and making sure only the most perfectly sized, shaped, baked, and decorated were delivered to Miss Mindy Lee. But now, and for herself, Emily could look at these pastries and weight her thoughts more toward admiration than exacting criticism.

She glanced up at the girl behind the counter, "Do you intend to become a baker as well? Did you bake any of these?"

"Making people happy, and seeing their enjoyment, is a really beautiful feeling, no matter how you pursue it," Emily beamed at the girl. "I think it's the best goal in the world," she added softly.

There was a moment of confusion when she heard the phrase high ideals. And she went quiet for a small stretch and tried to put herself in the girl's shoes, and walk back a few minutes into their interaction. There was something wrong in there, cluttering the discussion, and it should be cleared away.

Eventually, she explained, voice slow and careful, "I like to hear people explain, in their own words, in person. Websites and the like are advertising, they're meant to create a certain expectation and I do respect that, it's simply not my preferred approach when I'm eating by myself. But I can see how my questions might be unexpected and uncomfortable, especially since the answers might be shared, turning this into some kind of interview. For that I apologize."

Emily smiled down at the éclair, which she felt had a certain glow to it. "A plate will do just fine, thank you. It looks beautiful." Her hand dipped toward her phone to take a picture, then paused and left it in her purse. Instead she lifted the pastry and took a full, serious bite, eyes first lowered and then widening in pleasure.

The ingredients and slow, caring process, full of warmth and pride, were conveyed clearly in both that first bite and the girl in front of her. "When you put care into something, it'll draw people in and inspire their care in turn."

Emily's eyes grew thoughtful, and she glanced around the bakery once more, eyes settling at a small table by the window. "What other recommendations do you have?" For the time being, her phone stayed in her bag. It'd come out a bit later, but for now she decided to really take the time to enjoy what this family bakery had to offer, in both the food and the care that went along with it.

"My name's Emily by the way, it's a pleasure to meet you."

"Yes, these look lovely. Actually, could you box up another three, and another éclair. I'd like to take a set home for my editor." She paused and then added with a sudden understanding, "I think he suggested I come here because he was hoping I'd bring some back for him once I was done."

But he'd have to wait awhile.

"So I should definitely thank him."

It was going to be a beautiful morning, especially if she could coax Leah into talking more about her family that she took such obvious pride in, and the ways that making people happy could be pervasive, almost contagious in its warmth.