Page 74 of The Baby Dragon Bakery
On Sunday, she stayed in bed all day, reminiscing as shewent through her phone and looked at all their old photos. She looked happy. Why couldn’t it have been enough?
After wallowing for a few hours, she deleted all the adorable pictures of her and Calahan, then their texts. Once that was done and she’d had a nice cry, she texted Genevieve and Saphira her puffy face with the caption“Me after getting broken up with”to tell them the news.
Their responses came immediately in the group chat, asking if she wanted to video-call or hang out.
Yes, please, she texted them,but don’t mention the breakup or I will start crying.
Of course. Should we come over?Genevieve asked.
Or do you want to come to mine?Saphira offered.
Let’s meet at Saph’s, Lavinia replied.
Okay! Come whenever!
Lavinia forced herself to get out of bed, washing her face and changing out of the sweats she had been in for more than twenty-four hours. She stopped by the living room to let her parents know she was going out.
Her parents were cuddling on the sofa, talking. Lavinia tried very hard not to give them a dirty look, biting back the words,Rub it in, why don’t you!
“Have a nice time, pumpkin,” Garrett said, though she didn’t miss the pity in his or Beena’s eyes.
“Mhm.” She headed out, driving over to Saphira’s. Lavinia stood in front of the cottage and knocked on the door. A moment later, Genevieve answered, clad in black leggings and an oversized black long-sleeved T-shirt.
“Come in,” Genevieve said, giving Lavinia a hug.
“Lav, you’re here!” Saphira called from the kitchen. Herhands were covered in mittens as she pulled something from the oven, and the rest of her was in a cute loungewear set. “Give me one second.” Saphira pulled out a tray of bubbling macaroni and cheese and set it on the counter beside a dish of mashed potatoes, buttery corn, and a roasted chicken.
“Ohmygod, what is all of this?” Lavinia asked, taking in the spread.
“I just threw it together!” Saphira said, waving a hand. “And the only really impressive part is the chicken, which Aiden made because we need, and I quote, ‘protein.’” She used air-quotes.
“I brought face masks and ice-cream,” Genevieve added.
“Let’s make plates and sit down on the couches,” Saphira said, handing out plates.
Lavinia already felt better just from the prospect of a hearty meal and the girls’ company. After plating the food, they sat down on the couches, sharing blankets. They chatted as they ate, Ginny telling them random anecdotes about her many cousins, while Saphira talked about wedding planning.
“We’re going to finalize a dress in the next month or so,” Saphira said. “Cecilia and I have narrowed down a final six.” Cecilia was Aiden’s mother, and it made Lavinia’s heart swell to see Saphira so embraced by her new family.
“Six?” Lavinia repeated, eyes wide.
“It was two dozen before that, so trust me, narrowing it down that much was a real effort,” Saphira said. “Though it’s been fun playing dress-up! And the gowns are gooorgeous.”
Genevieve snorted. “Mother is treating Saphira like her little doll.”
“I don’t mind it,” Saphira said, smiling. “It’s kind of nice. Itreminds me of Nani-Ma.” Saphira’s grandmother had passed away a few years ago, and Lavinia was glad Saphira was receiving motherly affection.
“I can’t wait to see you in basalta purple,” Lavinia said, excited by the prospect.
They continued talking about Saphira’s wedding plans, putting on sheet masks which made them laugh from the sheer fact that theycouldn’tlaugh or the sheet mask would slip and slide off. When the masks were off and their faces were all shiny, they watched some absurd reality TV show that had them cackling with laughter while eating tubs of ice-cream.
It was a good night and, at the end of it, Lavinia was feeling much better, much more like herself. As long as she wasn’t thinking about boys or her failings at love, she was completely fine.
The girls walked her to the door when it was time to leave, since she still had her internship and class tomorrow and needed to get some sleep.
She hugged Genevieve, then Saphira. “Thanks for tonight,” she said.
Saphira hugged her tight. “Of course. Love you.”
