"CFO"

"And why aren't you CFO?"


"Well according to my boss and I quote he just doesn't know if I'm chill enough for the title, even though I basically do the job of a CFO."

Walking over holding the platter he puts it down in front of me then sits "did you forget to add chill on your résumé?"

"I think I must've."


He chuckles "you're funny, Julian"

"Thanks" he's sitting across me and I can see how bright his eyes are "so what am I looking at here?" I snap out of it "These are some of my famous options, lime, carrot, chocolate, and swirl. Try each and tell me what you think" I take my time trying each one and he stares impatiently at the edge of his seat. When I'm finally done he asks "well?"


"Um they're all good but I liked the swirl"

"That's great Julian but this isn't about you, what would the guy like?" "I don't know the swirl"

"Okay, then the swirl it is!" He stands excitedly "follow me" we walk back to the counter and he gets

behind it "I'll need a number, cake size, and when you need it buy."

"Here's my card" I take one from my wallet handing it to him "my cell and office number are on there, the cake needs to be big enough to feed about 80 people, and I can pick it up Friday morning."

He writes it all down "ok great I can do that" he smiles Looking at my watch "I should get to work"

"Yeah of course and who knows maybe today's the day they make you CFO"

"Yeah maybe"

His smile never leaves "I'll see you Friday morning Julian"

"Yeah" I walk to the door then turn back realizing I forgot something "hey?" I call to his attention and he looks up at me "what's your name?"

"I'm Chase"

"See you Friday Chase" he waves and I leave.

—

After the meeting, I rush after my boss out of the boardroom "Lindon got a minute?" I try to catch up

"Julian my man what's up?"

"Just wondering if you had a chance to think about my proposal" "About being CFO?"

"Yes"

"Yeah I'm working on it bud"

"Ok do you know when you'll have an answer for me?"

"Julian" he stops walking and turns to me, grabbing me by the shoulders he looks intensely into my eyes "you got to simmer bro and give me time, everything's chill right?"

"Yes yes, everything's very chill" if I have to say chill on more freaking time! "Cool" he lets go "where are we on Harry's birthday cake?"

"Ordered and I'll have it in for Friday"

"Dope! Don't forget to ask around for his birthday card everyone needs to sign it."

"Is- is this what happens for everyone on their birthday?" I ask following him in his office "Hells yea! Even you man, when's your birthday again?"

"July 11th"

"Then expect a turn up Julian! That's what we're like here we celebrate our people." "Great" I sigh "I'm heading home if you don't need anything else"

"Nah you're free I'll see you in the AM"

"See you in the... AM" I hate myself for speaking like this.

Next day as I'm sitting in my office going over the books my assistant pokes her head in "there is a Glazed Buns Bakery on line one for you, is that some sort of a prank? I couldn't tell"

Chase? "Uh no it's the bakery making Harry's cake"

She laughs "you should definitely tell him that, that'll make him laugh" she walks out shutting the door

Staring at the phone I wonder why he's calling so soon "hello?" I answer "Hi mister CFO man"

"Hi Chase, is everything all right?"

"Yeah it's great I just forgot to ask what you wanted the cake to say" "Umm Happy Birthday Harry is fine"

"Rando's got a name huh?"

"Yeah..."

"Ok well I'll get to working on that" "Thank you"

"Before you go I wanted to also ask what your favorite treat is"

"My favorite treat?"

"Yes you know, when you're craving something sweet what's the first thing you think of?" "I don't know um toaster strudels"

"Ok I can work with that" "What?"

"Nothing! I'll see you here tomorrow morning"

"Sure" we hang up, that was weird right? What'd he mean by he can work with that? "A baker?" My sister asks as we're having dinner "how cute?"

"I don't know"

"On a scale of boyishly handsome to ruggedly handsome" "Definitely boyishly"

"Ok, so he's younger?"

"Yeah he could probably pass for one of the guys in my office but he's not like them" "What's he like?"

"He shares... a lot and funny, I mean I've known him one day and I know so much about him, and

today he called my office and asked what my favorite treat was then after I told him it was toaster strudels he said he could work with that. That's weird right?"

"Julian a baker asked you what your favorite treat was, and you tell him something you can heat up in a toaster? You're such a basic bitch"

"It was a weird question all right I didn't have time to think." "You should ask him out"

"Why would I do that Leena?"

"Because he's a cute guy that bakes, that's every girl's dream" "I'm not asking him out, Leena"

"Of course not you square" "What does that mean?"

"It means you don't know how to live, I mean you said the guy smiled at you a lot, asked questions about your life and wanted to know what your favorite treat was. If that's not a sign then I don't know what is."

"Everything's a sign to you, a guy once ordered the same sandwich as you and you dated him" "That was fate! Okay?"

"Was it also fate when you let him into your place and he robbed you?" "Stop bringing up the past! Ask this guy out or you'll regret it"

"I'll think about it."