Marina hummed along to Queen's Somebody to Love, which blasted out from the radio sitting on her bench. Under the harsh light of her work lamp, she tediously worked on the finishing touches of her architecture model. Next to her, Beatrice was inspecting her 3D-printed creation.
They were the last two students left in the studio. It was already past 10 o'clock at night, but it wasn't unusual for students to stay late at the design studio.
Marina's phone buzzed, and Tommy's name lit up on her screen.
Be there in 15.
Prompt as ever, 15 minutes later, Tommy was pushing through the doors of her studio to pick her up.
"Wow, that's looking great," Tommy exclaimed, as he neared their benches, inspecting her model for a library made from recycled materials. "Ready to go?"
Marina nodded, packing up her things, and feeling nervous around him. He had taken off his jacket, leaving him in his work slacks and a crisp white shirt, sleeves rolled up to his elbows. Hair slightly ruffled, he was too handsome dressed in that half undone way.
"This is Bea, by the way," Marina said, and Beatrice gave him a shy smile.
Tommy greeted her politely and struck up a conversation about her project as he waited for her. Marina was slightly envious of how easily he was able to create conversation and make others comfortable around him.
"Text me when you get home," Marina reminded Beatrice. As Tommy turned away to open the door for her, Beatrice wiggled her eyebrows and mouthed, He's cute! Marina blushed and shook her head with a grin, waving goodbye.
"Got you something to eat," he said, as she slipped into his car, taking in the sweet smell of pastry.
"You didn't," she said as he handed her a paper bag with an all too familiar logo stamped on the front. When she peered into the bag, she almost cried in happiness. "Your favourite," he said, with a grin. Marina enthusiastically pulled out the Pain ai Chocolat from her favourite bakery in the city, and bit into it with a moan of delight.
"I love you," she said, her eyes still closed. A second later, her eyes shot open, realising what she had said. She looked at him in horror, but Tommy was laughing, looking at the road ahead, one hand on the steering wheel.
"You're welcome," he said, eventually, still smiling.
"How was work?" She asked, trying to change the topic. Tommy glanced at her, eyes still crinkled from his smile. He loved watching her eat. The way she seemed to savour every mouthful.
"Big case, which is why I had to stay late today. But I should be done with it by Evie's birthday," he said.
Marina perked up enthusiastically. "Evie told me about that! We're going to karaoke apparently," she said with a grin, amused by the prospect of hearing Tommy singing.
Tommy groaned, "Yes. She insists. She's also a notorious lightweight so this should be interesting," he said with a laugh.
"I never asked you, when is your birthday?" She asked. Tommy looked at her sheepishly. "Last Friday," he replied.
"WHAT?" Marina sputtered. "Is that why you went home over the weekend?"
Tommy nodded.
"I can't believe this, why didn't you tell me? How did Evie not tell me?"
"I don't like to make it a big occasion. I made her promise not to tell. It's already hard enough with Evie making a big fuss," he said, although he was smiling slightly.
Marina shook her head, "I'm remedying this immediately."
When they got home, Marina began pulling out cake ingredients, her hand mixer, much to Tommy's amusement and slight dismay. Before he could protest, Marina pointed at the couch and forced him to sit down.
She was quick, choosing a simple chocolate cake recipe that she had made dozens of times for her father. Before long, the rich smell of chocolate was wafting over to Tommy from the oven. Marina took the candles that she bought for Evie's birthday and stuck them in her cake, lighting them before turning off the lights.
Tommy was reading on the couch with his feet propped up on the coffee table. When the lights went out he turned around to face the kitchen, where Marina carried his cake, face alight from the candle flames.
"Marina..." he said, lost for words.
"Happy birthday to you," Marina began to sing, walking slowly over to the coffee table, before placing it down in front of him.
She smiled brightly at him. "Even though it's not really your birthday, you still get a birthday wish," she said, looking down at the candles.
Their faces were close together as they leaned over the cake. The cake was still warm and Tommy's mouth watered at the delicious chocolatey smell.
He shut his eyes before blowing out the candles. When he opened his eyes, he found Marina watching him happily, her face resting in the palm of her hand.
"What did you wish for?" she asked, looking into his eyes. With the lights out, his eyes glowed from the moonlight streaming through the window of their apartment.
Instead of answering, Tommy leaned forward, capturing her lips in his own. Jolting in surprise, Marina melted into the kiss, feeling warm inside.
When he finally pulled away, he tucked her hair behind her ear.
"That. I wished for that."
YOU ARE READING
Growing Pains
Romance"You left me. You. left. me. You ran away. How do I know that you won't do it again the next time something goes wrong?" As kids, Evie, Tommy and Abel were best friends. Kind-hearted Evie brought Tommy and Abel under her wing. Until one horrible da...
