Cat POV

"Yes! We're here! We're home!"

"I don't know what you're smiling about, Cat. We still have to deal with this damn traffic."

"Oh you're just being bitter because Beck isn't here with you."

"Well, you would feel the same if you had to be separated from your husband for 3 months."

"Well he may not be my husband, but my boyfriend and I are separated too ya know. I wanted Danny to come but I couldn't force him to leave school to follow me."

"Yeah, for a boy who barely went to class, he didn't follow you because of school. Isn't that a little skeptical?"

"Look, Jade, I know you don't like him, but Danny is a good guy. He probably realized he needs to mature and finish college."

"Yeah, whatever Cat, come on let's grab a cab."

That's Jade West-Oliver, my best friend since 8th grade. Jade and I are back in Los Angeles, our hometown. We left for school in New York five years ago; Jade went to NYU for acting but instead became a director and I went to Le Cordon Bleu for pastry school. After college, Jade was asked to direct two independent films in the past year, asking me to star in both, and I worked as a baker at a renowned bake shop to save up money for when I open a shop of my own. Jade was offered a huge deal by an independent film company on Los Angeles and since her husband Beck Oliver, yes THE Beck "Heartthrob" Oliver, was shooting a movie in Puerto Rico for 3 months, she decided it would be a good time for us to move. I'm here for two reasons, to be with my bestie and to open a bake shop. Don't get me wrong, I love acting and I won't stop if opportunities are given to me, but baking is my passion. I even saved up enough money to purchase a space downtown.

We reached Jade's apartment and settled in. I would be staying with her for the time being until Beck got back and then find a place of my own. I love her and Beck, but I know they want their privacy.

That day we barely had time to unpack because I had to make my final deposit and Jade had her first meeting with the company. I made my way to my soon-to-be bakery and paid the leasing guy my deposit. He handed me the keys and the place was mine. I felt victorious. Five years of hard work and now I have a place to call my own. I got a broom and swept a few cobwebs to the side when the door opened.

"Hi, you must be Cat. I'm Trina. I used to work for Miss Georgia, the lady who owned this store before you."

"Oh, hi Trina. Yeah this place is great. I'm so glad I won the bidding war."

"I bet, not only is this a great spot downtown, but this part of the building is the best. Come on let me show you what else you got."

Trina was right about this building being great. The space was at a corner of a busy street and across from a park with such a spacious floor for a bakery. But the best part was where Trina took me next. Turns out the upstairs led to the rooftop of the building and my bakery was the only one with access- meaning this rooftop was mine! We weren't as high off the ground, about 3 stories, but it was high enough to see over the park across the street and enjoy the city lights. There was an old couch and a poker table up there. It looked abandoned but still beautiful and silent compared to the night life downstairs.

"Wow, did Miss Georgia know about this?"

"Sure did. She had 3 sons so they spent poker nights up here whenever they were in town. That Miss Georgia was a great lady."

"If you don't mind me asking, why did she sell her bakery?"

"It was time for her to retire. And her sons already had jobs, plus none of them lived in Los Angeles. I worked for her for 6 years out of the 8 years she had this place. Such a sweet lady giving me a job while I was in college. But for the past 4 months since she sold it, I've been jobless. I just came by here to wish the new owner good luck and I had a hunch the realtors never told you about the rooftop."

This Trina girl was nice. I mean, I only just met her, but she seemed like a person I needed beside me to run this business.

"Say, Trina."

"Yes?"

"What are your plans now?"

"Well, I graduated with a business degree but 'hostess' on your resume isn't really a gold star for businesspeople. I'm trying to find a boring desk job because well, that's the experience I need for business."

"How about I make you an offer? I need a right-hand man if I'm going to run this bakery. I mean, I went to pastry school, not business school. I even went to an Arts School so not much knowledge in running a sturdy venture. And I'm looking for a shift manager. You in?"

"Cat, I can't…"

"Why not? You know this area more than I do and you said yourself you're a business major. A boring corporate office may not see that gold star but I do."

"You drive a hard bargain Missy."

"Good." I said and shook her hand. "Welcome to Red Velvet Bakery."

"Ooooh is that your specialty?"

"Sure is. I went to pastry school to learn about everything else, but my best friend told me red velvet cupcakes is my specialty."

"Well then boss, I'm excited to get to work! See you in the morning!"

Trina left a few minutes later and I called Jade to the bake shop. She was just as amazed by the view of the rooftop and we both agreed that this spot could be a regular hangout.

"So what's on your agenda tomorrow?"

"I've got a meeting with David, the producer, at 2. We're picking prospects for the new film. Should be fun. What about you?"

"Cleaning up the shop with Trina. She used to work for the lady before me and she seemed like she knew how to operate things. It'll be good to know someone after being gone for 5 years, right?"

"Agreed."

We sat back on the ratty old couch and looked at the night sky. It was a marshmallow moon out tonight, so round and bright.

"Can you believe it Kitty-Cat, we're finally back home and we're living the dream."

"Yeah, another pair of Hollywood Art's alumni with success stories."

"I miss Hollywood Arts. I wonder how Andre and Robbie are doing."