While the campers reunited with their families and talked about the show, Joey and Lauren slipped outside to set up tables for the bake sale. They trekked back and forth carrying all the trays over from the cafeteria, and Lauren put up beautifully decorated handwritten signs that Joey was sure would entice people just as much as the smell and appearance of the baked goods. They had enlisted a few other counselors to help them, and they were needed as increasing numbers of people began trickling outside looking for a snack to eat. It gave them a chance to talk to a lot of their campers' families, including Laila's.
"This is Joey and Lauren," Laila said as she approached the table, carrying her younger sister on her hip. "They're my counselors."
"Hi!" Lauren said brightly. "What's your name?"
"Sophia," the young girl said, with a shy smile.
"It's very nice to meet you, Sophia," Joey said, holding his hand out for her to shake, which made everyone laugh as her hand couldn't even wrap around his fingers.
"What did you think of your sister in the show?" Lauren asked.
"She was great!" Sophia said, beaming at Laila, who ducked her head. Joey smiled, knowing how much that response would mean to her.
"Go on, tell them what you want," Laila prompted.
"A cupcake, please," she said.
"Very good choice," Lauren said, and Joey held in a laugh, knowing she had a vendetta against cupcakes. "I think I've got a very special cupcake here for you."
Lauren held up one absolutely laden with rainbow sprinkles, which Joey guessed had been an accident. But Sophia's eyes lit up, and she held her hand out. She'd taken a bite out of it before Laila had even put $2 into the jar.
"You like it?" Joey asked.
"This is the yummiest cupcake I've had in my whole life," she said, with the remarkable sincerity of someone who's only lived for four years. "Thank you."
Joey grinned, and put his arm around Lauren's waist. "This is who you have to thank. She might be the best baker in the entire world."
He looked down at Lauren, who was looking back up at him with a soft smile on her face, though she was blushing.
"That's not true," she mumbled.
"I think it is," he insisted. He wanted to kiss her forehead, but settled for squeezing her in a side hug while they were in front of everyone.
"Can I have another one?" Sophia asked.
"Is she allowed one?" Lauren mouthed at Laila, who just shrugged. So Lauren said, "Of course you can." This time she gave her a chocolate cupcake.
"I'll have to go get another $2," Laila said, scanning for her parents.
"Don't worry about it," Joey said. "This one's on us. Just don't tell anyone else." He held his finger up to his lips and Sophia, her mouth covered in chocolate frosting, copied him, giggling.
"Thanks guys," Laila smiled. "We should find our parents again though."
"Thanks for stopping by," Joey said.
"Bye, Sophia," Lauren said.
The two of them waved, and Sophia waved back.
"God, she was cute," Lauren muttered after Laila walked away. But she suddenly lifted her arm in a wave, an amused smile on her face, and Joey followed her gaze to see Ellie picking her way towards them.
"You didn't have to come see this," Lauren said when she got within hearing distance, motioning her friend and roommate to their side of the table so she could hug her.
