Chapter 7: Fresh Baked Cookies

On Friday after work, Lara Jean frantically cleaned her apartment, at least the parts her guests would see. Her room looked like a tornado hit because she had already changed ten times trying to find the "right" outfit. She didn't mind because her reward was usually acknowledgement from Landon, which she was beginning to grow attached to.

"Is that a new shirt? That color really brings out your eyes," he had said just that morning when arrived at the office and greeted her.

This evening was no different, even though she knew she needed to wear something practical to bake in. Se settled on a pair of leggings and a white tee shirt, that hung off her right shoulder. She carefully put her hair into a messy bun. Looking effortless sure takes a lot of work, she thought.

On her way to her Jeanette passed by Lara Jean's open door and stopped, "Didn't you have on a different shirt five minutes ago?"

"Maybe." Lara Jean turned to face her friend.

"Is white really the best color to bake in?" Jeanette said with a raised eyebrow.

"It's just a tshirt. Plus," She said turning back to the mirror, "It's the only t-shirt that shows my shoulders."

"Which is important tonight because...?"

"...Landon said I have nice shoulders." Lara Jean squeaked in a tiny voice causing Jeanette to snort out a laugh. "I'm pathetic, I know."

"No, you're not pathetic LJ. You're just...very..very unique."

"Thanks." Lara Jean said lamely as Jeanette walked away. She had brought her roommate up to speed the night before over dinner. Jeanette just shook her head but agreed to go along with the act. Lara Jean gave herself another once over in the mirror and refused to let herself make any adjustments to her outfit. "Time to get baking," she said clapping her hands together.

A little while later, Lara Jean had a few batches of cookies on cooling racks and was just putting in a round of red velvet cookies into the oven when there was a knock at the door. She glanced at the clock and it read 7:30. Quickly wiping her hands on her apron, she went to the door and opened to find Peter grinning. He held up two large bags, "Thai Delivery!"

She smiled and moved back to welcome him into the apartment. Jeanette looked up from the couch and put down the book she was reading. "Finally! I'm starving and LJ wouldn't let me snack on any of the cookies." She hopped up and grabbed the food from Peter.

"Nice to see you too Jeanette."

"Hi Peter. Sorry. I'm not me when I'm hungry."

Peter just laughed and turned his attention to Lara Jean. Finally taking a good look at her face, he chuckled. "What?" she said wrinkling her face.

"You have a little, uh-" before finishing his sentence, he swiped her nose gently, dusting powder from her nose. Lara Jean immediately blushed. "Some things never change I see." He said softly. Jeanette watched from the kitchen island and cleared her throat loudly causing the two to snap back to reality.

"Peter, did you get spring rolls. Please tell me you did." She was rifling through the bag. Peter stuffed his hands in his pockets and moved around Lara Jean.

"I literally saw the guy put them in there. You don't see them?"

Lara Jean took a deep breath before returning to her baking station. She glanced at Peter, who was now bickering with Jeanette. "Did you even look in the bag? They're right here."

Jeanette rolled her eyes, and piled a plate with food. "I don't need your sass. Thank you!"

"Covey, you better get in on this before your roommate takes all the good stuff."

Lara Jean laughed, "I will. I just need to get this batch on a baking sheet and the ones in the oven need about 5 more minutes."

He nodded while piling his own plate with food. Once he had everything, he say across from Lara Jean watching her mix. " So," he started casually "Your guy still coming?"

She glanced up to see he was staring at his plate as if it was the most interesting thing in the world. "Yeah. He should be here in a bit. He had to lead an event after work."

"Mm. Cool." There was an awkward silence.

"Should I put on some music? I think music would be great" Jeanette said hopping from the couch to get her speaker from her room.

Lara Jean and Peter were alone for a brief moment, "Look LJ, I just wanted to apologize again for the other day. I don't know why I acted like that."

Lara Jean waived her hand, "Peter, seriously don't worry about it."

Leaning in, "See you keep saying stuff like that, 'Water under the bridge' or 'don't worry about it', but I feel like you're just saying it to say it," his voice was low and he was staring at her begging Lara Jean to make eye-contact.

She tucked a piece of hair that had fallen loose behind her ear quickly, "Look, Peter. I'm fine. We're just getting to know each other again so there are gonna be some bumps in the road. I don't wanna spend our time dwelling on little things"

" I get that, I do. It's just… I feel like there's maybe things we're not talking about, things you want to talk about, and that's important to me."

She tried to protest, but he continued, "Listen, I know it's been a while, but I know you better than you think Covey."

They stared at each other until Jeanette returned to the room, "K, who's got first request?"

Clearing her throat Lara Jean replied, "You can play whatever, Jen." She returned to her cookies but could feel Peter's eyes on her as she moved through the kitchen.

As if on cue to cure her of this awkward moment, there was a knock at the door. Wiping her hands on her apron, "That's probably Landon." She continued to ignore Peter stares and when to the door. She took a deep breath before opening.

Leaning against the doorframe stood Landon, holding a bouquet of roses and a grin, "Hey," he said easily and in the moment Lara Jean forgot all about Peter's probing in order to focus on regaining her composure.

"Hey," she said biting her lip, "you're here."

"Of course I am," he said laughing slightly and raising an eyebrow. He quickly glanced behind her and saw Peter staring. Taking this as his cue, he glanced back down a Lara Jean and moved in to press a soft kiss on her lips. When they separated, he whispered subtly, "You gonna invite me in?"

Flustered she nodded and moved aside for him to enter. He handed her the flowers causing her to blush and shook free of his jacket.

"Thank you. They're beautiful….I didn't think you'd make it here so soon," She said taking his coat.

"Well we ended a little early. You know surprisingly the 60 and up crowd aren't huge party animals,"

"Who knew?" Lara Jean said teasingly.

"Who knew!" Landon bantered back before turning to Jeanette, "Hey Jeanette," he said easily as if he had known her for months.

"Good to see you again Lando" she saluted him and Lara Jean internally cringed at her roommate while placing her flowers in a vase. Lando?

"Ahh Landon," she grabbed his arm and guided him to the kitchen where Peter was perched on a bar stool. "This is my friend Peter. Peter this is my boyfriend, Landon."

Peter leaned over and held out his hand, "Hey man, nice to finally meet you,"

"Likewise." Landon smiled.

"Do you go by Lando?" Peter asked.

"Uhh naa not really, that one is reserved especially for Jeanie over there."

Jeanette scrunched her face and smirked cause Lara Jean to giggle. Jeanette hated that nickname.

Feeling more comfortable that Landon had arrived Lara Jean relaxed into her girlfriend role, "Hey babe, did you want some food? Peter brought Thai."

"Yeah man dig in, I brought enough for everyone," Landon glances at the food but quickly turned his attention back to Lara Jean.

"I'm good actually, but thanks bro," Lara Jean was pulling a batch from the oven and replacing it with a new one. "I'm excited for these cookies though," he rubbed his hands together greedily.

"Lara Jean makes the best cookies," Peter interjected with his mouth full.

"Oh don't I know it. That's how she got me," Landon said walking behind Lara Jean and wrapping his arms around her waist.

Peter shifted in his seat, "I guess we already have something in common then."

Landon raised an eyebrow, "Oh yeah? What's that."

Peter casually shrugged his shoulders, "I mean the cookies sold me too." Lara Jean tensed up and was sure that Landon could feel it, because he immediately tightened his grip around her waist.

"Well lucky for me," Landon said smoothly before nuzzling Lara Jean's neck, "They couldn't keep you around."

Lara Jean felt her face heat up, she caught a glimpse of Peter rolling his eyes before he got up to move to the couch with Jeanette. "Hey Jeanette, what is this you're playing? I'm revoking your DJ privileges."

She scoffed, "I asked for requests and you said nothing!"

"Well now I'm requesting that you disconnect from the speaker before my ears start bleeding." The continued to bicker back and forth and Lara Jean snaked herself from landon't grasp.

"Hey," She whispered quickly glancing at her ex-boyfriend and roommate.

"Hey," he said back grabbing her hand. "How and I doing so far?" He grinned.

"Good. Great, honestly. I thought this would be more awkward, but…" She trailed off.

"We're a good team, LJ." He grinned wider "I think I got under your boys skin a little bit."

Lara Jean looked over at Peter who had somehow gotten ahold of Jeanette's phone and was holding it out of reach as she grasped for it. His jaw was tense and Lara Jean knew Landon was right. "Maybe...go a little easy on him."

Landon raised an eyebrow again and Lara Jean decided that was one of her new favorite things, even though she felt judged by it. "I just mean, don't go overboard with the banter, and the 'I won the girl crap,'. The goal is to show that I don't care about him you know?"

"Fair enough...Did I though?"

Lara Jean looked up at him in confusion, "Did you what?"

"Did I win the girl yet?"

Lara Jean opened her mouth and closed it, then opened it again, "I-"

"Hey, love birds, could you stop whispering over there and help me, please?"

"Peter," Lara Jean scolded glad to have a reprieve from Landon. "Give Jeanette her phone. Honestly you two." she giggled taking the phone from Peter and returning it to her friend.

"He started it!" Jeanette exclaimed.

"Sorry, Landon. I didn't know I was inviting you over to babysit," Jeanette glared and stuck out her tongue.

"This is what happens when we have to wait for the goods, Covey. Where are the cookies?"

"Yeah give us cookies," Jeanette joined in.

"Ok ok, Jeez. You guys didn't even finish eating yet. First round coming up," She went into the kitchen plating a few cookies to bring to her friends.

Landon followed her and tried to speak in a low voice, "Uhh Bathroom?"

Just as she was about gesture, Peter who heard to exchange interjected, "Down the hall on the right. You have been here before right?" Peter snorted, and Lara Jean felt the energy tense again. Lara Jean sensed Peter's attitude and was reminded of their younger days on the rare occasions he would show this side of himself.

Landon unphased, "What can I say man, it's been a long day." Landon walked towards the hall where he assumed the bathroom was, but not before Peter could respond.

"Guess the elderly activities couldn't end early enough for you." He laughed.

"Yeah, it's tiring doing work that actually makes a difference," Landon yelled back before shutting the door.

Peter was pouting when Lara Jean came in the living room with the cookies, "What's up with you?" she said nudging his leg.

"My work is important, too," he said before stuffing his mouth with a cookie.

"Aww did Lando, hurt your feelings, Petey?" Jeanette teased, which caused Lara Jean to give her a sharp look.

"Seriously Peter, you're being kind of a jerk. The point of tonight was for you to meet my boyfriend, not have some sort of macho contest." She got up and went back to the kitchen to check on her next batch.

Guiltily he sighed and followed her to the kitchen, "Lara Jean, look I'm sorry-"

"Don't apologize to me, apologize to Landon."

He put his hands up in surrender, "I will, I will." After a moment of silence, he put his hands on the counter, "I don't know what's gotten into me. I guess I just wanna make sure this guy is good for you."

"That's not your job Peter."

"I know it's not but…"

"But nothing. Seriously this friendship thing is not gonna work if you're gonna keep acting like a jerk."

"You're right, I'm sor-" Lara Jean gave him a look and he stopped mid sentence. "I'll stop acting like an ass."

Lara Jean nodded with her lips pressed together. Landon returned to find them in the kitchen.

"Hey man, sorry about that," Peter said, holding out a hand, "Kids at school driving me crazy, I forgot to leave that shit at work."

Landon looked at his hand hesitantly before grabbing it, "No worries, bro. I know how it can be. You work with kids huh?"

"Yeah," Peter said running his hands through his hair before find his pockets, "I'm a high school counselor."

"Oh cool," There was an awkward silence and Jeanette jumped in.

"Hey Lando, first round it out," She raised the plate in his direction causing Landon walk towards the couches.

Peter shifted uncomfortably on his feet for a second and glanced at Lara Jean before joining the rest of the group. Jeanette gave Lara Jean a look and Lara Jean just shrugged, not expecting the night to start off like this.

A while later, after all of the batches and taste tests were done, they all sat in the living room talking and discussing their favorites. Lara Jean couldn't get over how easily she fit with Landon or how she didn't tense up when he put his arm around her on the couch or let "babe" slip from his lips.

She found herself paying more and more attention to him as a person, as opposed to how he was affecting Peter.

"Ok LJ, I'm a pretty classic guy, chocolate chip is my go to, you know this, " He added causing her to nod, "But this pumpkin spice cookie, is an unexpected favorite." Landon said grabbing another not removing his other arm from behind Lara Jean.

"Yeah, plus you know everyone goes crazy over pumpkin spice everything." Peter said shaking his head.

Raising a guilty hand Jeanette replied, "Me. I am everyone. I love pumpkin spice everything," causing the group to laugh. "Seriously though any one of these will be great." Jeanette stood up collecting dirty dishes. "I hate to leave the party early, but I promised a couple friends I'd meet them at a bar in a bit," Depositing the dishes in the sink, "You guys wanna join?"

Landon looked at Lara Jean, "I'm good staying here if you are," he said softly. She smiled and nodded biting her lip. They were both unaware of Peter eyeing them.

"What about you, Petey? Wanna hang out tonight, or you third wheeling it?" She smirked with a hand on her hip.

Peter coming back to his senses, "Uh, you know what. I think I will join you." he clapped his hands and hopped up from the couch.

"Was not expecting that answer," Jeanette muttered grabbing her jacket.

"Shouldn't have invited me then," he said nudging her playfully before getting his jacket. "Uh, did you want help cleaning up before we leave?"

Lara Jean shook her head, "I'm good. You guys go have fun."

"We can handle it." Landon added smiling.

"..Great...uh ready?" Peter turned to Jeanette.

"I stay ready. Let's go. By roomie!" She floated out the door and Peter gave the pair one last look.

"It was nice meeting you, Landon. Thanks Lara Jean for the cookies." Landon waved.

"Thanks for the Thai and for being my test subject."

"No problem...see ya," he added before leaving and shutting the door behind him.

Lara Jean let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. She looked at Landon, who's eyes were already on her causing her to chuckle. "Well I guess tonight was a success." She said getting up and moving to the kitchen. He followed.

"I'd say so," He responded.

"I can't wait to share these recipes with Sugar."

"I'm sure she's gonna love them." He began putting the leftover Thai away after taking a bite from a stray cookie.

"Thanks again for tonight. I know I've said it a million times, but I really appreciate you helping me out."

"No problem, LJ. Plus I mean it's not like I mind pretending to be your boyfriend." He smiled. "I just hope I won't have to pretend for much longer."

She blushed and looked down, suddenly becoming very interested in crumbs on the counter. He chuckled, "You're really cute you know that?" He said walking around the counter and standing in front of her. Pushing a stray hair behind her ear, "Seriously though, I had fun tonight. Aside from your boy getting a little out of pocket."

Lara Jean rolled her eyes, "I'm sorry about that. He doesn't know when to quit sometimes."

"You don't have to apologize for him. He's a grown man and like I said I had fun...with you. That's all that matters."

She bit her lip and looked up at him, "I had fun too."

"So um, is it too early to start planning our date?" to which she shook her head. "Tomorrow night then? I'll pick up up at 7."

"Ok."

"But, no Peter talk. Just you and me, ok?" His eyes pleaded with her.

"No Peter talk. He will be the furthest thing from my mind. In fact," She said mustering up courage, she stood up on her toes and placed a soft kiss on his lips which caused him to groan quietly.

"He already is."


As always let me know what you think.

Peace, Pink