Page 85 of The Baby Dragon Bakery
It was so perfect that it made her feel afraid. She needed everything to stay exactly as it was, which gave her anxiety. She was scared, too, that he would get tired of her, the way other guys seemed to.
And the anxiety must have been bad enough because one night, after dinner, Beena knocked on Lavinia’s door. Lavinia was sitting at her desk, doing homework, and when she looked at the door, Beena was waiting.
“Can I come in?” she asked.
“Mhm,” Lavinia replied, taking her glasses off and setting them on her desk. Beena came over and sat on the bed. Lavinia swiveled her desk chair so she was facing her mother.
“Is everything okay?” Beena asked. “You’ve seemed a bit tense these last few days.”
Lavinia nibbled on her lower lip. “Um, yeah,” she said. “Everything’s fine.”
“Okay,” Beena said, giving Lavinia a smile. “Everything’s good with Theo?”
“Mhm!” Lavinia said, replying too quickly and giving herself away. Beena nodded. She stood, coming over to stroke Lavinia’s hair.
“Well, don’t put too much pressure on yourself, okay?” she said. “What you and Theo have is really special. Don’t let things ever get sour between you two, okay? It’s good to explore if you could be romantic partners, but if it isn’t working, there’s nothing wrong with being friends.”
“Do you think we’re better off as just friends?” Lavinia asked, voice high.
“No, honey, I’m not saying that,” Beena said. “All I am saying is to be careful, okay?”
Lavinia swallowed. “Okay.”
Apprehension coursed through her.
Chapter 31
Everything was going so well. Theo had Lavinia, and he had started working for Saphira as her business manager. He spent his days at the cafe or at his apartment, going through the documents and running numbers, putting together a proposal.
He also baked for the cafe, trying out new recipes, like a mango lassi mousse, or sticking to Baby Dragon Bakery favorites, like elaichi buns. It was fun working at the cafe again—Lavinia had been right about Calahan; he was perfectly cordial—and he loved working with Saphira.
The first day of work, he had a purple bruise on his throat that Saphira pointed out, and he had replied, “Courtesy of Lavinia.”
Saphira had almost spat her chai out in his face. Her mouth fell open with shock. “Oh my god,” she said. “Are you two finally together?”
Theo’s cheeks felt warm. He ran a hand through his hair, nodding.
“FINALLY!” she cheered. She came over and gave him a smothering hug. “I love this.”
“Saph,” he choked, and she eased up, giggling as she went back to her seat.
“I need to beat up Lavinia for not telling me,” Saphira said, “but I love this.”
“I mean, it’s still new,” he said. “It’s only been a day.”
But Theo had practically told every person he knew, and random strangers, too. He wanted to tell the whole world about him and Lavinia, he was so jubilant, and that joy didn’t fade as the weeks went on. If anything, he only grew more attached to her.
Theo often adopted other personas when impressing girls. He acted differently, trying to be more cool and aloof; but it wasn’t like that with Lavinia. With her, he could be himself.
Growing up, Theo never knew who he was because his family never liked who he was, so he always tried on different hats, trying to gain their approval (not that it ever worked). But with Lavinia, he felt like his truest self. He liked himself best when he was with her.
Whenever they were apart, he thought of her, like he was doing now at the cafe. It was almost time for him to head out, and he pushed his laptop back, pulling out his phone. He gave Lavinia a call, and when she picked up, just the sound of her voice sent a bolt of joy through him.
“What are you doing later today?” he asked, leaning back in his seat.
“Hmm, studying, studying, and maybe if I’m free, some more studying,” she replied. “I’m going to my last class right now.”
“Think you have time in your busy schedule for me to come over?” he asked.
