Chapter 3: Muffins and Missteps

THEO

This was why I worked alone and why I didn’t want to commit to women—they were too emotional, and it never worked out. They threw fits when things didn’t go their way.

Granted, I shouldn’t have assumed she didn’t want to travel because of a dog. I let out a sigh and began to pack up my stuff.

I sent Bill a text asking for Nadia’s address, so I could apologize to her in person. We both needed this to work out—she seemed like she needed the money, and I wanted to keep getting the good assignments after this.

After Nadia left, Bill told me this would double my pay for the assignment; he was expecting the article to be a hit. He thought it would attract readers and business, so he wanted us to do well.

It was good money, and I liked my job. I would hate for the company to suffer.

I wasn’t too happy being stuck with someone. I was independent, and I enjoyed the single life, but sometimes it did get lonely.

For a brief second, I was secretly looking forward to the company. As I was packing up my bag, I heard my name being yelled from the door of the café.

I might not have stayed here long, but I’d gotten to know some people, like Eric, who was making a scene by talking over everyone instead of walking toward me. I waved him over. Luckily for me, he followed my suggestion of coming closer.

“I didn’t know you were back in town,” Eric said.

“I’m only in town for a few days.”

“Are you free tonight? A bunch of us are getting together for some beers.”

“I’ll have to pass. I have a lot of work to get done, but we could meet up for some lunch and drinks tomorrow.”

“Sure, do you mind if I bring Sophie?”

I raised an eyebrow, staring at him. “Who is Sophie?”

“She’s my girlfriend.” Eric had a big smile on his face, and you could tell he was proud to call Sophie his girlfriend.

“Congrats, man!” I gave him a congratulatory slap on the back. Eric always enjoyed being single and hitting on women, so she must be great to make him want to settle down.

“Thanks. She is amazing, and I can’t wait for you to meet her.”

“I look forward to it. Just send me a text and let me know when and where tomorrow.”

I might not have wanted to hang out with Eric tonight, but I was happy for him. It was hard to make friends when you were never in the same place for more than a week, but Eric was an exception.

I’d met him a few years ago at a local advertisement conference, and he was persistent in catching up every time I was in town. While Eric headed toward a table, I headed out the door to my rental.

I usually did a shortstay apartment rental in the city, so I didn’t have to worry about maintaining a place while I was gone.

***

I showed up at Nadia’s door the next morning with a box of double chocolate muffins in hand, and I expected to be forgiven. Instead, her expression didn’t soften, and neither did her tone.

“What do you want?” she asked flatly.

“I came to apologize,” I said, holding up the muffins. “I brought a peace offering. We got off on the wrong foot, and we have to work together.”

She let out a long sigh, then stepped aside and invited me in.

Once we were inside, I set the box on the table.

“I mean it, Nadia. I’m sorry about yesterday. You hit a nerve, and I didn’t manage it well. My sister is always asking me to visit, especially since she had my nephew, Noah, and I just keep putting it off. When I go back, I just… feel trapped. And when you brought it up, it reminded me how crappy I’ve been to her. So yeah, I lashed out, even though I shouldn’t have.”

“I didn’t mean to make you feel like a jerk. I was still mad that Bill is making me do this,” she admitted. “Do you want anything to drink?”

“No thank you, I can’t stay too long. I have lunch plans.”

“Oh, um, why don’t you email me what you have researched so far, and I’ll take an honest look at them.”

“Cool. I’d like to have these finished tonight so we can talk to Bill tomorrow,” I responded.

“Sounds good, and thanks for the muffins.” I couldn’t help but notice her face flushed after she thanked me for the muffins.

“You’re welcome.”

I felt better about this small exchange. It put things back on the right path.

***

Eric seemed genuinely excited for me to meet Sophie. “I’m so glad you could make it. This is Sophie.”

“It’s nice to meet you.” She had a Southern accent, which took me by surprise.

“It’s nice to meet you too,” I said as I took a seat across the table from Eric and Sophie.

“How long are you in town for?” Eric asked.

“Just a few days. I’m hoping to be back out there traveling by the end of the week. So how did you guys meet?” I asked, trying to change the subject.

I was tired of answering the same questions.

“Through a mutual friend,” Sophie said. “We just clicked the first night we met.”

You could tell that Eric loved her by the way he looked at her. Part of me admired that, and another part of me didn’t understand how people could be so caught up in another person.

After we spent some time catching up and eating, we ended lunch agreeing to catch up the next time I was in town.

Once I got back to my rental, I emailed Nadia the places I had looked at along with my reasoning and time frames. Hopefully, she would agree so we could move on and get out of here.