HER PHONE VIBRATED on the nightstand. Laavanya groaned into her pillow. She opened her one eye and peaked at the screen as reached for the phone to snooze her alarm that she didn't remember setting. Seeing that it was a call, she yawned as she picked it up.

"Hello, is this Laavanya Shaw?" The lady from the other line asked. Laavanya groaned an affirmative tone, her face buried in the softness of her pillow. "Good morning, Ms. Shaw. This is Diana and Piper and Lawson's again. We have reviewed your application again and have decided to reconsider hiring." As soon as Diana uttered the last word, Laavanya jumped out of the bed. She sat up and brushed her hair away from her face, pinching herself before deciding what to speak.

"W—what?"

"Yes, we were on a temporary hiring freeze and while your designs don't align with what our company usually publishes, the Editor In Chief wants to give you a shot. He wants to schedule a meeting with you. Does Friday lunch work?"

"I...um...y-yeah. Friday. Perfect."

"Okay, great. I will email you the details and what Mr. Edison expects from the meeting. Do bring your latest works along with you. Thank you, Ms. Shaw."

"Thank y-you!" She hung up and sprung out of her bed. She danced on the floor with a squeal leaving her mouth. She sprinted to the room beside hers and barged into Julie's room. Julie was sleeping peacefully on the mattress but Laavanya's happiness preceded Julie's peace. She hopped on her best friend and shook her awake. "Jules, wake up! I have to tell you something!"

Julie tried to push her away. "Not now, my tormentor!" She growled and turned her head to the other side.

"Julie Morris!" Laavanya began tickling her. "I got the job!"

Julie's eyes opened. She sat up, making Laavanya tumble down her bed. "What? Are you serious?"

"Yes!" She stood up, rubbing her butt. "I just got a call. They're reconsidering. I have a meeting with Mr. Edison on Friday!"

Julie's shoulders slumped. "Aw, bitch. Friday? It's two days away." She frowned. "You'll miss the summer party. Grandpa John isn't going to be happy about that."

Laavanya masked her frown. "Mmm...I know something that might make him happy." She turned over her shoulder and stared at the door. She considered and sculpted her plan. Looking back towards Julie, she murmured, "But I need to do some shopping. Can I borrow some money? I'll return it soon."

***

She wiped the sweat off of her forehead with the back of her hand. A streak of flour swept across above her eyebrows but oblivious to it, she continued to ice her cupcakes.

"Are you sure you don't want any help, Miss Shaw?" Jane asked, standing on the other end of the bakery station—her face layered with concern.

"Yes, Jane. I am sure. Can you leave me alone please? I need to focus. I am heavily out of practice," she said and iced tiny irises on one of the red velvet cupcakes. She heard the footsteps fade away and she took a whiff of breath. Laavanya had asked everyone to be there in the living room at seven and it was already 6.30. She had three more cupcakes to ice.

After some time, she stepped away from the counter and looked at her finished artworks—a few lines were sloppy and some had strange colour schemes but she was proud of herself. She heard the chattering from the living room and a nervous smile rose on her face. She removed her apron and wiped her face with a towel. She took a deep breath and carried the tray into the living room.

"So the thing is," she began to gain everyone's attention. "I have an important meeting this friday which means I will have to miss the summer party, so to make up for that..." she placed the tray on the centre table. "I made everyone personalised cupcakes. I am a bit rusty but I hope it tastes better than it looks."

"Is the wedding ring one for me?" Samantha asked, her eyes already softening. Laavanya nodded. "And Grandpa John's favourite flowers. Oh, my God—I love those shopping bags. Is that for Julie?"

The room livened up with happiness. But there was one person missing. Laavanya's eyes searched for his face but it was nowhere to be found. She tried to ignore the heaviness of his absence. But how can you ignore the kind of feeling that feels like a knife twisting your heart?

***

Laavanya was sitting in front of her laptop, preparing for her interview after the dinner was done. She was going through her resume and the points she could talk about when a sharp pain shot through her neck. She craned her neck back and winced.

"You okay?" A voice muttered. She turned to her side to find Ryker leaning on the doorstep wearing a white shirt and track pants. Laavanya furrowed her eyebrows at his attire. He looked down at himself and snickered. "I had an online meeting. That's why I missed..." he raised the cupcake in his hand. "...this."

"Yeah, I am going to miss the party so I thought I'd make something for everyone." She stood up and neared him. "I, um. I don't really know much about you so I iced..."

"Waves. Indicating my love for swimming?"

"Yes."

"Why are you missing the party?" His muscles relaxed against the door frame and Laavanya tried to tread lightly with the fireworks in her stomach as she noticed his muscles in the tight fitted shirt. "I thought playing hookie was my thing."

Laavanya chuckled. "I got a job offer. Or more like—I am on a trial run. They will finalise after my meeting on friday. I am catching a ride back tomorrow morning."

"Do you need Miranda?" He asked, his eyes not once leaving her face. "Or for me to jump off of it again?" A smug smile played on his face.

"Haha." Laavanya bit her lips and averted her eyes towards the floor. She folded her arms over her chest when she realised she was wearing rainbow pyjamas and a pink tank top. "That will never be funny."

"You never told me why you attacked me that day? Surely you didn't cry for me." Laavanya stayed silent. Her eyes found the floor again. "It's all right, you don't have to tell me. I just wanted to make sure you are okay."

"For someone who wanted nothing to do with me before, you are quite concerned."

Slowly, almost carefully—a smile twisted on his face. He watched her for a minute longer than he should've and removed the butter paper moulded around the cake. He parted his lips and took a bite. He ate it quietly and looked back into her eyes. "I didn't know you baked."

"Looks like we don't know each other much at all."

"Would you ever want to?"

"Know you?"

"Yeah."

"Yes," she said softly and noticed a flare in his eyes. "I would love to know you."

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