The sweet scent of freshly baked pastries wafted through the air as the bakery's customers mingled, gossiping about the latest town news. Inside the kitchen, Emma carefully placed a tray of flaky croissants into the oven, while her best friend, a petite woman with a kind smile, helped her decorate a towering cake. "I'm telling you, Emma, it's all about the icing," the woman said, holding up a piping bag filled with vibrant pink buttercream. "This is the key to making any cake a crowd-pleaser." "Ice cream is what really brings it all together," Emma countered, her hands moving deftly as she arranged the delicate petals of a sugar flower on top of the cake. "Oh please, don't even get me started on ice cream," her friend replied, rolling her eyes. "It's like trying to put lipstick on a pig, making a beautiful cake look sloppy and unkempt." "I think you're being a bit dramatic," Emma said, chuckling as she placed the finishing touches on the cake. "But I do agree, sometimes less is more." Just then, the doorbell above the bakery entrance jingled, signaling the arrival of the first customers of the day. Emma's friend let out a contented sigh as she began to prepare for the rush. "Time to put our creations to the test," she said, offering a knowing smile to Emma as they both stepped out into the busy bakery.