Chapter Text
Booker was dealing with a severe hangover after last night's Christmas party, which was why he couldn't remember what he had placed on the top shelf in the refrigerator, but he knew it was important.
"Morning," Nile said as she sat down at the table. "Unless you plan to crawl into the refrigerator, please close the door."
"Sure thing," Booker replied as he took the milk. "Do we have coffee somewhere?"
"Nope," Nile replied. "It was your turn to get the coffee, roomie, but we got tea."
Ever since May, Nile had lived with Booker after she ended her relationship with her ex-boyfriend. Instead of rent, all Booker asked of Nile was to help him twice every month with sending packets to his different clients, because Nile had a car, something Booker didn't have. And Booker made sure to pay for all the gas they used. And they took turns buying coffee.
"No thanks," Booker replied as he found a bowl for the Frosties. "What are you eating for breakfast?"
"The rest of the cake you said I could share with my friends," Nile replied. "And thanks. It's the best cake I've ever had."
Booker stopped eating as he remembered what it was that he had forgotten.
"What's with you?" Nile asked. "You just look like someone who has seen the four horsemen of the apocalypse."
Booker threw the bowl in the sink before he opened the refrigerator while cursing at himself in French.
"The cake you're eating," Booker said. "Was it a three-tiered chocolate cake with strawberries and with fancy decorations?"
"Yes," Nile replied. "Why?"
"Because I would rather face the four horsemen of the apocalypse than the wrath of Andy," Booker replied as he rubbed his face. "I am a dead man walking."
Booker thought for a moment about how fast he could get his affairs in order and leave town.
"You're not making any sense, Book," Nile said. "Start from the top."
"Yesterday, before you got home, Andy entrusted me with Quynh's birthday cake or as Andy called it, 'Christmas birthday cake', which is the cake you and your friends ate," Booker replied. "I'm so doomed."
Booker rubbed his face with a groan before he took his phone.
"Nice knowing you," Nile teased as Booker started to pace up and down the floor in panic. "You're beyond doomed, my French friend."
"I know that," Booker said. "What am I to do?"
Nile thought for a moment.
"Hmm, let me think for a moment," Nile replied. "Sorry, I should have asked where you had gotten the cake from before eating it."
"This isn't your fault, Nile," Booker replied. "If I hadn't been so damn late yesterday, I would have told you not to eat the cake when you asked me."
"Could you not order a new one?" Nile suggested. "I know how it looked and tasted."
"That was also my first thought," Booker replied. "But according to the bakery's website, all cakes have to be ordered a week before delivery. And the party is tonight."
They both thought about how to get a new cake for the party.
"I think I might have an idea how to keep you alive," Nile said. "You could ask Joe for help."
"Joe can't cook or bake, for that matter," Booker replied. "We both know that."
"Yes, that is true, but he is dating a pastry chef at the moment," Nile replied, but before she could eat the rest of the cake, Booker placed a hand over it. "Hey, I was eating that."
"Not anymore," Booker replied as he took the plate with the cake crumbs. "And you are coming with me."
Before Nile could answer, Booker grabbed her hand and dragged her with him.
"Okay," Nile said. "Where are we going?"
"We are going to talk with Joe," Booker replied. "If his latest conquest can bake a new cake based on the cake crumbs, I might still be breathing tomorrow."