Your mother didn't use any of Laura's photos for the cover, but you didn't really expect her to. Honestly, you didn't expect her to use them for anything, you sent them as more of a petty this-is-me-getting-back-at-you-for-making-me-do-the-photoshoot-that-I-said-no-to thing. But, when your mother sent you a rough copy of the layout of the magazine and you found all four of Laura's photos within the pages, your name proudly displayed alongside hers in the bottom right corner of the photographs, you were pleasantly surprised (you might've been even more surprised that your mother actually spelled Laura's name right, but you weren't going to say anything).

On your way to work that morning, you stopped into the coffee shop, your laptop open and in hand with the pdf of the magazine open on the screen. When the line dwindled enough that you were finally able to get to the front, you turned the laptop towards your favorite barista with a smirk, before she even had a chance to ask you what you wanted (even though she knew).

She was surprised to say the least, if the 'holy shit' that came out of her mouth was any indication. You were dumbstruck for a second because you're positive she's never actually uttered a curse word in her entire existence, but when your brain refocused, she was handing you your drink and sputtering about "you actually sent them?", "that's my face...in Morgan Magazine!", "you made me look like an actual model!".

You could only laugh.

You wanted to tell her you barely touched the pictures in terms of editing, just having fixed the lighting and crop of the photos, but the people in line behind you were getting impatient so you tucked your laptop back into your bag and as you were heading out the door, you texted it to her instead (maybe adding a few things to really make sure you got the point across and that she knew just how much she didn't need the editing). If you heard a mug shatter as the door closed behind you, you pretended not to notice and continued down the sidewalk with your to-go cup in hand.

Work was uneventful, you sent out final proofs to discuss with clients, gave Mattie a list of locations you scouted, photoshopped a family's Pomeranian into their Christmas card, and pretty much just planned the next few months schedule wise. All the while trying to keep up with Ell's most recent relationship drama.

In between novel length rants of 'Oh, my god, I just got a text from her! What the fuck do I do?!' and 'Maybe I should fuck her brother, see how she likes it!' you got a text from a certain brunette.

[Cupcake (2:54)]: Hey, so I just had a crazy idea (tell me if it's TOO crazy), but I was thinking that maybe since our last thing didn't work the way we wanted it to, that maybe we should try again? Like tonight? If you're not too busy with work or something? If you are, that's totally cool too, but I get off of work around 4 and my only plans were for a movie night with popcorn and a few tacos from that taco truck that hangs out around the park. So, if you would like to join me, I'll leave the back door open. I'm starting the movie at 5… I tend to watch more than one, feel free to bring pajamas...

You nearly dropped your phone.

This woman was inviting you over to stay the night and watch movies with her... you'd be crazy not to accept.

[Carm (2:55)]: Being my own boss has its perks. I'll be there with the tacos around 4:30.

[Cupcake (2:55)]: I would've offered to cook, but unless you want burnt toast with Nutella then the tacos are probably our best bet.

[Carm (2:56)]: You know, I'm not completely useless? I'm actually a pretty good cook…

[Cupcake (2:58)]: Are you offering?

[Carm (2:58)]: Can we move the movie to 7 and I'll stop at the store on the way over?

[Cupcake (3:01)]: This better be good, Karnstein, I never change my movie times.

[Carm (3:01)]: I aim to please.

[Cupcake (3:06)]: Fine, movie at 7 then.

[Carm (3:06)]: You will not be disappointed.

You left work early before Mattie could give you something else to do and headed to the grocery store right away because if you sat still in your office any longer with your already out of control thoughts, you'd surely drive yourself mad.

You figured chicken was a safe dish for the first time you cooked for Laura, but the particular recipe you had in mind required a bit of prep and even more spices and you froze mid-reach to grabbing a jar of pesto.

[Carm (3:40)]: Quick question - do you have any allergies?

[Cupcake (3:46)]: Pollen, mosquito bites (they swell up like a softball), emotions, um… oh, this one laundry detergent my dad used when I was like 12 that made me break out in hives for like 2 weeks…

[Carm (3:47)]: I'll keep that in mind, but I was actually referring to food allergies.

[Cupcake (3:50)]: I knew that. And no, no food allergies.

[Carm (3:51)]: Perfect.

Now that you were confident you weren't going to kill her with basil, you set about finding the rest of the ingredients and side dishes and maybe you could make dessert because if nothing else, you knew Laura enjoyed a good sweet treat. And maybe a well paired wine.

You also thought that if she ended up not liking the chicken, then she could just have as much as the dessert as she wanted. You had it on good authority that chocolate anything was her favorite.

You stopped back at your apartment to grab a change of clothes and an overnight bag and left a note for Ell to feed Bagheera when she got home from work. You sent her a quick text to tell her that you wouldn't be home later before shooting one off to Laura to let her know you were on your way.