"Hi, Dad," Carrie said, her voice carrying a smile so evident it was like she was speaking to an old flame. She leaned against the counter, twirling the phone cord around her finger as if it were still the '90s.
"Young lady! Do you even miss me? It's been three whole days! Three!" Mr. Evans's voice was playful, tinged with exaggerated disappointment.
"Dad! You know how crazy things are here. I'm always busy," Carrie defended, rolling her eyes but chuckling nonetheless.
"Or maybe," her father teased, "you've simply forgotten your old man now that you have your friends around."
Carrie laughed, shaking her head. "Come on, Dad. We both know that's not true."
"Fine, fine. So, what's new?" he asked, the warmth in his voice palpable.
"Classes have been manageable," Carrie began casually, then leaned in conspiratorially as though her father could see her. "Oh, and I found out Leo and Ava go on a trip every last Saturday of the month. Can you believe that?"
Mr. Evans let out a hearty laugh. "Those two are like an old couple chasing Instagram-worthy couple goals."
Carrie's laugh softened. "It's kind of sweet but also creepy, you know? People do that in movies when one of them knows they're dying."
Before Mr. Evans could respond, Ava swooped in, snatching the phone. "Come on, Carrie, stop being morbid. Hi, Mr. Evans!"
"Ava Scott! Still as lively as ever. How's life treating you?" Mr. Evans asked warmly.
"Fabulously. But honestly, Mr. Evans, it's been a decade! When are you visiting? Carrie's been holding you hostage," Ava teased.
Mr. Evans sighed dramatically. "Soon, I promise. I've just been swamped. Can't remember the last time I even had a decent massage."
"Gosh, that's tragic. Take a day off—doctor's orders!" Ava said, laughing.
"Yes, ma'am," he replied with mock seriousness.
Carrie reclaimed the phone. "Okay, Dad, they're about to leave. I'll call you later."
"You better. Don't make me send smoke signals."
"Got it. Bye!" She hung up and turned to Leo and Ava, who were already at the door.
"Okay, Carrie, this is where we say goodbye," Leo announced dramatically.
Carrie crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes. "Why are you talking like you're never coming back? If anyone's dying, don't you think I should know? I can handle it."
Ava laughed, patting her shoulder. "No one's dying, Carrie. Promise."
Carrie scowled. "So, you're just leaving me here with the 'mean one'? You know he said my presence 'irritates' him, right?"
Leo smirked. "You don't have to talk to him."
"I don't need to talk to him to be mad, Leo!"
Ava grinned, leaning in conspiratorially. "Carrie Evans, I have faith in you. If anyone can deal with his grumpy self, it's you."
Carrie rolled her eyes but smirked back. "Fine. But don't expect a happy welcome when you get back."
"Try not to burn the house down," Ava teased as they left, shutting the door behind them.
---
Carrie spent the next hour rummaging through the kitchen, her stomach growling. "Mac and cheese or noodles?" she mused aloud before groaning. "What am I thinking? I can't even cook!"
Determined, she pulled out her phone. "YouTube, don't fail me now."
For the next two hours, chaos reigned. Pots clanged, flour dusted the countertops, and the smell of burnt batter wafted through the air. Carrie stared at her final product—a lopsided, charred cake that looked more like a disaster than dessert.
She slumped against the cabinets. "I should've learned to cook when Mom was still alive," she muttered, her voice breaking. "Now I can't even bake a cake. Some romantic dinner I'd host."
A deep voice broke her thoughts. "What on earth happened here?"
Carrie looked up to see Jae-wook standing in the doorway, his expression a mix of horror and disbelief. He gestured toward her cake. "And what is that supposed to be?"
"Cake," she murmured from her spot on the floor.
Jae-wook frowned. "Are you... crying?"
Carrie wiped her face hastily. "I just wanted something sweet, okay? And now I miss my mom." She stood up abruptly, brushing past him and heading upstairs.
---
When she finally returned to the kitchen, she froze in the doorway. The counters were spotless, the chaos erased. And there, in the center, stood Jae-wook, casually mixing batter.
"How did you—?" she began.
He didn't look up. "I can't work in a messy kitchen."
Carrie blinked, a small smile tugging at her lips. "I didn't know you could cook."
"I'm good at a lot of things," he replied, his tone smug.
She peered over his shoulder. "What are you making?"
"Muffins."
"Oh! I love muffins!" she exclaimed.
Jae-wook glanced at her, raising a brow. "And who said these are for you?"
Carrie gasped dramatically. "You wouldn't let me starve, would you? That's murder."
"I'm not denying it," he said dryly.
She grinned. "Teach me, then."
He shook his head. "Nope."
"Please!" She pouted, blocking his path as he moved to the oven.
Jae-wook sighed. "Use YouTube."
Carrie groaned, pointing to her sad cake. "That's what happened when I used YouTube!"
He snorted but didn't reply. Instead, he set the muffins in the oven.
Carrie's stomach growled audibly, and Jae-wook finally smirked. "Fine. But don't expect me to hold your hand."
She grinned. "Deal. Let's start with something easy—like cookies."
Jae-wook rolled his eyes but began pulling out ingredients. As they worked side by side, Carrie couldn't help but notice how their usual banter softened into something almost... comfortable.
For the first time in a long time, the kitchen didn't feel so empty.