"Hey, Ray! What's up?" Evelyn asked as the call connected.

"Evelyn! You will not believe what just happened!" Rayna's high-pitched voice nearly made Evelyn pull the phone away. Evelyn's smile faded as she heard the strain in Rayna's voice. "What happened? Are you okay?"

Rayna's breath came in gasps, as if she'd been running or talking a mile a minute. "I wish the ground would just open up and swallow me," she gasped.

"Calm down, Ray. What's wrong?" Evelyn asked, concerned.

"I ran into him! Evelyn, can you believe it? I ran into the guy from the club again!"

"Where did you meet him?" Evelyn's eyes widened. "Wait, you mean Ethan? The guy you called a pervert last night? Where?"

"He came to the bakery! Can you believe that?" Rayna's excitement was palpable. "You should have seen his face! He was so angry when he realized I baked the muffins he ate. If looks could kill, he would have incinerated me and the bakery! And then—"

"Rayna, slow down," Evelyn interrupted, struggling to keep up. "He was at the bakery, and he recognized you. What did you say to him?"

Rayna's voice softened, tinged with frustration. "I didn't even get a chance to say anything! He stormed out before I could explain or apologize. Can you believe that? He just walked out!"

Evelyn exhaled, a mix of relief and concern. "Maybe it's for the best," she said soothingly. "He probably needs time to cool off. But I'm sure he'll get over it eventually. You did call him a pervert, after all."

"That was an honest mistake. Anyone would have done the same," Rayna said defensively.

"If you want, maybe I could ask Derek to set up a meeting? You know, so you can apologize properly," Evelyn suggested.

Rayna considered this, then shook her head. "No, I think I might run into him again. I'm starting to think this might be fate."

Evelyn raised an eyebrow. "Fate?" she asked, confused.

"Don't you see, Evie? This has to mean something. I mean, what are the odds of running into him again? First, we met at the club, and I had no idea he was your Derek's…"

"Not my Derek," Evelyn corrected, but Rayna continued as if she hadn't heard.

"…friend. And then I meet him at the bakery, only to realize he's Melvin's brother."

"You know his brother?" Evelyn asked, interested.

"Yeah. His brother and sister-in-law are regulars, and they always talked about him, but I'd never seen him. If this were a movie or one of those romance novels I love, it would mean we're meant to be! Like destiny or fate!"

Evelyn rolled her eyes, though she smiled slightly. "Rayna, seriously? You need to stop watching so many K-dramas and reading those silly romance novels. They're getting to your head. You're too old for these fantasies."

Rayna laughed, a light, carefree sound. "You're never too old to believe in a little romance, Evelyn. What if this is fate? What if I meet him again? That would be the third time. Isn't there a saying about the third time being the charm?"

Evelyn sighed. "Okay, let's say you do run into him again. What then? Are you just going to apologize, or are you planning to ask him to be your boyfriend?" There was a pause. Evelyn could almost see Rayna's mischievous grin. "Why not both? I'll apologize and then ask him to be my boyfriend! I mean, why not? Every romance has a beginning, and maybe what happened at the club was ours."

Evelyn chuckled. "You're unbelievable, Rayna. I wish you good luck asking a guy you've already called a pervert to be your boyfriend. I'm sure that will go over well."

"Hey, it could work," Rayna shot back playfully. "Stranger things have happened."

"Need I remind you that he told you you weren't his type?" Evelyn pointed out.

Rayna laughed, but before she could respond, Evelyn smelled something acrid. She turned to the kitchen; the smell of scorching food filled the air. Her eyes widened in horror. "Oh no, the food!" she exclaimed. "Ray, I have to go! This burning dinner is a disaster!"

She hung up quickly and rushed to the stove. Smoke curled from the skillet. She grabbed an oven mitt, turned off the heat, and moved the pan. She coughed, waving away the smoke, and sighed. Dinner was ruined.

"Mommy, something is burning," Samantha said as she and Maya entered the kitchen.

"Yes, darling. It's not burning; it's burnt," Evelyn said, staring at the charred stir-fry. It seemed like a night for takeout.

"I hope you both don't mind having pizza for dinner," she said, chuckling when Samantha's face lit up.

"Yay! I love pizza!"

"Alright. Give me a minute to order," Evelyn said as Maya cleaned the sink. Once finished, Maya joined Evelyn and Samantha on the sofa. "I need to talk to you about something," Maya said.

Evelyn looked from the television to Maya. "Sure."

"I just realized you're mistaken about something. Samantha's friend, Rek, isn't a child."