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Surprise...?
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"...Combine the egg whites, cream of tartar and vanilla extract. Whisk on medium-low speed..."
Chartreuse eyes skimmed through the cake recipe on her phone for the twentieth time since Rosa started baking that morning. It couldn't be helped, everything needed to be perfect. Luke's birthday only came around once a year. Besides, by some bizarre stroke of luck she had this Saturday off. What better way to seize the day than by putting on her pretty pink apron, trying chocolate tresses into a high ponytail and preparing a little something for her favourite ride or die?
The plan was fool proof.
First, wish Luke a happy birthday on the phone while innocently inquiring about his movements for the day. As it turned out, he'll be stuck at the shop, working on restoring some vintage grandfather clock for a client.
Part two involved his present, the cake she'd been meticulously preparing for the past half hour. Debating over flavours and toppings made last night's fifteen minute shopping trip at the grocery store twice as long. Recommendations from her resident foodie – Kiki – determined the final verdict: a simple vanilla angel food cake, garnished with whipped cream frosting, a strawberry glaze and sliced strawberries for that finishing touch. Once the cake was baked and packaged, Rosa would personally deliver the goods to Luke's doorstep.
Sugar crystals dissolved like snow inside the mixing bowl as frothy liquids melded into a fluffy french meringue. Sifting in the flour was cut short when a familiar jingle stroked Rosa's ears. Glancing over at her phone near the marble countertop's edge, she caught a glimpse of a notification from Kiki before the glowing screen faded to black.
"Hey. What time should I drop off the stuff?"
Adding the remaining sifted flour into the mix, Rosa sauntered to the sink, washing her hands clean.
Ping!
Another message.
She completely forgot that her co-worker was paying a visit today. During the week, Kiki practically begged her to start watching a new drama series. It's based off a trilogy book set from nearly a decade ago and her friend suggested reading the novels beforehand. Kiki owned all the volumes and offered to borrow them.
Ping!
Rosa picked up her noisy phone, leaning against the nearest counter as she swiped across the screen. Frost-like wisps stole her attention while tapping open the most recent chat. The next step in the recipe was a delicate one, she didn't want the egg whites deflating on her.
"Hey. Can you come over at around 3?"
Hitting send and the phone's power button, Rosa got back to work.
─ ・ 。゚ : *. .* : ゚. ─
The delectable scent of freshly baked goodness clung to the apartment. Its been almost four hours since the cake's been cooling, even if the recipe said three should suffice. Strawberries were lying in wait to be sliced on a wooden chopping board besides the cake while creamy frosting patiently chilled in the fridge. Sweet humming flowed in tune with slow, rhythmic stirring as strawberry jam and water combined over a low flame. Everything was coming together nicely. Once the cake was completed and Kiki arrived with those books, Rosa could head over to Luke's place.
Cheerful chimes sounded across the room, breaking through the peaceful ambience. That must be Kiki. Abandoning the fruity glaze for a few seconds, Rosa delightfully strolled to her front door. Delicate fingers twisted the silver knob, inviting in a caramel haired figure she was not expecting to see.
"Luke?!" Bright eyes widened as panic weaved its way into her voice, "What are you doing here?" She pushed on the door by a touch, blocking any view of her kitchen and the incomplete confection on display.
Wholesome, coral eyes didn't mask their confusion, "But you asked me to stop by at three…"
…
Rosa mentally facepalmed.
She must've texted Luke by mistake.
Of all the times to send a message to the wrong contact, why today, and to Luke of all people!
Sunshine radiated from his wide smile. Reaching over with his right hand, a gentle stroke of his thumb grazed her left cheek, leaving behind a faint trail of heat at his tender touch, "Were you making something?" Warmth from the afternoon sunlight reflected in his expectant gaze.
"Uhh…" She closed on the entrance even further. Think fast! Think fast! "I was just…baking some cookies for my co-worker!" A half smile complimented Rosa's smooth lie, "She's the one I was expecting to see at the door but it looks like I texted you instead by accident. Sorry about that."
Pink lips curved downward. So much for fool proof planning. Not only was her element of surprise ruined, but her misdirected message must've interrupted his work project.
Caramel locks swayed with the lazy shake of Luke's head, "No worries." A reassuring smile tugged on his lips, "I was almost done with the clock by the time you sent that message anyway, but I guess you didn't read what I sent a few seconds before." Her blank visage was all the confirmation he needed, "Well, I asked if you were free this afternoon but now I know the answer. Need any help with the cookies?"
"No!" Rosa mercilessly shot him down. Maybe the plan could still be salvaged if she played her cards right, "I appreciate the offer but that's alright, I've got everything under–"
The charred scent of overcooked jam cut her sentence short.
Instantly whipping around, Rosa bolted for the stove, turning off the only lit burner. The gooey garnet glaze had transformed into unrecognizable dark matter, a fitting representation of her master plan. Utter defeat escaped the chocolate brunette's lips as she sighed. Twirling on slipper bound heels, sad chartreuse sights captured Luke's attention after coral eyes took a brief survey of her kitchen from the entrance. Weakly she smiled, making an apathetic gesture towards the unfinished dessert on her countertop, "Well, it's missing the final touches but…surprise…"
Downcast eyes settled on the floor as she awaited Luke's disappointed tenor which never came. Rosa didn't notice when he crossed the front door's threshold but there was no missing his comforting embrace as toned arms securely wrapped themselves around her.
When Luke pulled back moments later, a boyish grin plastered itself across his face, coral eyes sparkling brighter than any star, "So you really did call me over. For us to decorate my birthday cake together?" Muscular arms receded from her middle to his sides.
Was this intentional ignorance, or did he truly believe she invited him over for that?
Playing along would honestly save the day at this point. Although, she should probably tell him, "Not exactly. Texting you by mistake wasn't a lie. I was going to surprise you at the shop a little later, but since you've already volunteered your services," A genuine smile finally cracked through the gloom, "We're finishing this cake together!"
"You were…going to do that for me?" Scarlet subtly tinted her friend's cheeks, mimicking the very strawberries waiting to adorn his birthday cake. If his dazed expression and muted tone were anything to go by, she would definitely consider Luke surprised. Mission accomplished.
"Of course!" Grinning back, smaller hands took larger ones captive, tugging Luke further into the kitchen.
Not exactly the turn of events Rosa had expected. However, the most important thing was ensuring Luke had an amazing day and spending precious quality time with him was never a bad thing.
─ ・ 。゚ : *. .* : ゚. ─
Ivory cream was slathered across the cake's bronze exterior, with a smearing or two playfully etched on both their faces along the way. Accompanied by a generous drizzle of rosy red glaze, finely sliced strawberries topped it all off. Rosa marvelled at their handiwork, more than impressed by the final product. She assumed Luke was as well, given how he couldn't stop smiling. Coral eyes flickered between her and the cake.
Although, was it just her or did their admiration linger on Rosa a little longer than on his actual gift?
In a vain attempt at deflecting his attention away from her, the chocolate brunette quickly searched for the candles…which she forgot to buy.
Mental note: smack herself in the forehead later.
Luke insisted that candles weren't a big deal, that everything was perfect. His soft, spellbinding gaze in that moment ignited a cozy flutter in her chest. A blazing inferno that burned her cheeks a lovely shade of embarrassment. Averting her face from view by fumbling through the cabinet drawers for a stray candle or two bought enough time so her features could cool down a bit. No such luck finding any candles though.
Minor setbacks aside, Rosa carried on, refusing to let any more mistakes bother her. After all, weren't most successful operations just a slew of nearly avoided disasters?
A satisfying soprano filled the air, small hands clapping in tempo as the most familiar chorus fitting to the occasion left her lips. Luke's enchanted grin was infectious and Rosa couldn't help smiling back. She missed moments like this from their childhood. Seasons of joy, laughter. Eight years apart deprived them of sharing such experiences with each other. Now, they had every opportunity to make up for all that lost time.
Cake cutting, another frosting facial, then finally the taste test. From the languid movements of his jaw, to the concentration knitting Luke's brow, Rosa anxiously studied her best friend's features for any hint on the final verdict. Torturous seconds trickled by, as if he was intentionally teasing her by building up this infuriating suspense. She couldn't take it anymore, "Well?"
Luke rubbed his chin, quiet contemplation defining the contours of his face. Until he broke the silence, "I love it."
Proud blushing bloomed across both cheeks and Rosa inwardly squealed. Hearing those three words practically made her melt, "I'm glad you liked it!"
Now that she received the Luke Pearce seal of approval, it was her turn to sample–
Swallowed by a sudden tight squeeze instantly derailed her train of thought, "Thank you so much, Rosa. I really appreciate this."
"That's what friends are for." She returned the hug, patting the back of his thick winter jacket, "The only thing missing was blowing out the candles."
Rosa pulled away first but wasn't free from Luke's hold just yet. One arm unravelled itself from her waist, gingerly brushing a stray chocolate tendril out of her face. His expression morphed into something unreadable, "That's completely fine. My wish...probably won't come true anyway." Bitter melancholy painted his blank faced canvas and Luke released his other arm.
Witnessing such sadness on a day when Luke should be having the time of his life made Rosa frown. Several seconds of stillness elapsed before she took him by the shoulders. It was Luke's turn to be ensnared by the sizzling determination shining in Rosa's eyes, "Name it."
"Huh?" He blinked twice, clearly taken aback by the one whose trapped him in place.
"Name your wish and if it's something I can make happen, I'll do it." Confidence accentuated Rosa's smirk, reaching her eyes.
A confidence Luke didn't share in the slightest. He'd been reduced to a blushing, bumbling mess, "N-n-n-no!" His unexpected protest completely threw her off and he realized it too. Calloused hands carefully pried lithe fingertips off his shoulders, drooping Rosa's arms to her sides, "I-It's really alright. You've done more than enough for me. My wish is...selfish anyway." He flashed an honest smile.
Leaning against the counter, Rosa folded her arms as curiosity got the better of her, "Now I really want to know." But she respected his privacy. Besides, his wish won't come true if he told her. Pushing off the counter, she crossed the kitchen, "Anyway, let me package the rest of the cake for you." Stealing a tiny piece for herself in the process, of course.
"Rosa..." It was a miracle she heard him.
An absentminded, "Hmm?" was her response. Skimming the lower cupboards where she typically stored extra take away trays, Rosa found the perfect box for his present. So she owned a fancy cardboard cake box and no spare candles?
After crouching down for half a minute, the chocolate brunette stood her full height, surprised to find her best friend by her side. Years of being a stealthy secret agent weren't for show, it seemed.
Indecision radiated off Luke, from the wavering conviction in his eyes to the ongoing silence stretching further and further between them. Finally, he mumbled, "I don't mind telling you my wish." Stealing the wide box from Rosa's hands, Luke placed it down on the counter, "But the last thing I want is you feeling forced into it."
"Is it something I can do?" Mid-length tresses swung sideways with the tiniest tilt of her head.
He nodded, glazed coral eyes growing softer by the second, "Yeah... you're the only person who can grant this wish, actually." Pure hesitancy, affection, longing, reflected in his welcoming gaze. A prison holding her completely captive.
Before Rosa realized it, they were mere inches apart.
Intermingled breaths.
Sultry gazes overshadowed by long lashes.
An unspoken "Can I...kiss you?" hanging over them. Creating a tension simply begging to be released.
Ding! Dong!
They instantly separated at the sound of the doorbell.
"Rosa? Are you home?" Kiki.
"Uh, yeah." Shaking off the daze she was under took a little longer than expected, "Coming!" Glancing at a red faced Luke wasn't exactly helping her own fluster, "Just give me a quick second." She excused herself from her best friend.
"S-sure. Take your time." Scratching the back of his head, the caramel brunet found the sight of his feet very interesting all of a sudden.
Rosa raced to the entrance, giving both cheeks a gentle smack with her hands before unlocking the front door.
"Hey." Kiki greeted with a pleasant smile, outstretching her right hand with a weighted bag in tow, "I was wondering if you were still home, since you didn't see my message."
She completely forgot about Kiki.
"Sorry!" Rosa begged for forgiveness, pouting slightly. She took the bag of books, already musing over how she was going to make it up to the strawberry blonde, "Today's just not my day, honestly."
Rosy hazel eyes zeroed in on Rosa's guest, Luke having just answered a phone call while pacing across the small kitchen area, "Wait, but isn't that...?"
"Like I said, today's not my day, Kiki." A half-hearted smile graced her lips.
"Well, I obviously interrupted something, so I'm just going to leave." A knowing smile played on Kiki's glossy lips and Rosa knew she was in for a round of twenty million questions when Monday reared its ugly head.
She shot Kiki an unimpressed look, "Thanks again for the novels."
"No problem. See you on Monday!" Waving goodbye, her co-worker left and Rosa shut the door, striding into the living room.
The bag of hardcover books had a seat on the couch and their new caretaker was just about to do the same when Luke walked in, "Hey, I uh, need to leave now." He pocketed his phone, trying but failing to keep disappointment off his face, "My customer's waiting outside the shop to collect the clock."
"Oh. Okay." She strolled into the kitchen and as anticipated, an awkward silence fell between them, "I'll...just grab the cake for you."
Chartreuse eyes timidly glanced towards the caramel brunet who followed her into the kitchen. His blush was an ever-present stain on those soft cheeks but Luke's resolve seemed to have returned, a kind smile curling his lips, "Thanks again for today. Words can't describe how much I appreciate you." He stole the cardboard box from Rosa's hands with his right one, offering a side hug with his left. One she just couldn't deny, "As soon as I'm done with the customer I'll give you a call, if that's okay."
A pleasant warmth washed over her, whether from his body heat or the fondness mirrored in his gaze, she couldn't tell. Yet, it was more than enough to thaw out Rosa's uneasiness. She returned his doting smile and they separated, "Sure."
Leading him out the door, they exchanged their final goodbyes. Rosa lingered near the threshold, a pair of slender fingers gravitating to her lower lip as the distance swallowed Luke's figure.
Day 7 post for Luke Week. Forgot to update it here xD
Prompt: Day 7 - Cake / Party / "Since it's my birthday, will you grant my wish for me?
