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Next, I head to the fridge. There are eggs as well as apples.
“How do you feel about apple sheet cake?” I ask. “They’re the quickest to make.”
“Yum! Will you add loads of cinnamon to it?” Julian asks.
“Yep! I’ll also add butter and syrup.”
Julian makes an excited noise that makes me smile. I gather all the ingredients and place them on the counter.
“I’ll clean up while you make breakfast,” says Julian. He puts on an apron and starts gathering the dishes from the table.
“You don’t have to do that,” I say at once. “It’s my job now.”
He shakes his head. “I want to help.”
“But, you don’t like chores.”
“I don’t mind them if I have company.”
I smile at that. “All right, then. Thanks.”
The kitchen is soon filled with the sound of rushing water and whisking batter. We don’t talk while we’re busy but it’s not at all uncomfortable. It feels like I’ve known Julian my whole life.
We’re both sipping coffee while the sheet cake is baking in the oven. Fragrances of apple and cinnamon fill the kitchen, making it feel like fall.
“Julian?” I say with a little hesitance. “You’re already helping me out so much but can I ask for another favor?”
“Sure. What would you like?”
“I’m going to start stinking soon. This is the third day I’m wearing the same shirt. I need a shower and some of my clothes.”
He grins over the rim of his mug. “It’s all taken care of. You’ll have your clothes by today.”
The timer of the oven beeps.
Putting my mug down, I head to the counter and put on a pair of thick mittens. Opening the oven, drag out the sheet cake.
Julian comes to stand beside me. “This smells so good.”
It looks amazing too.
I’d decorated the top with chopped apples and sprinkled them with vanilla sugar. They resulted in a beautifully caramelized topping for the cake.
I grab a knife and start cutting the sheet cake into blocks. Julian brings over two dishes and is ready with the bottle of syrup.
I plate the slices and add knobs of butter on the top. They instantly start melting and getting absorbed by the spongy cake. Julian liberally drizzles syrup over them.
“This is a masterpiece,” he gushes. “Let me grab my phone before we dig in. I’m going to make Raiden and Caleb so jealous.”
“Wait up! If you’re doing photos, let me add some more fruit on the side.”
I add apple slices and make a show of sprinkling more cinnamon on top.
A naughty grin comes over Julian’s luscious lips as he clicks several shots of his plate. I watch him and feel a smile coming onto my lips too.
I shouldn’t be feeling anything close to happiness. My life was a mess. There was a chance I’d never see my family again.
But Julian’s presence somehow makes me forget about it all.
