Picking up the telephone, one of those large black ones I think I’ve only seen in doctor’s offices, I make the calls for the upcoming appointments. There’s only one cancellation and while the guy tries to get heated over the deposit, I remind him about the contract he signed up front which shuts him up immediately. I had no idea if he signed anything or not, but I’m glad my hunch pays off and I’m able to get off the phone.
There’s a short knock and then the door opens. Rachelle pokes her head inside. “How’s it going?”
“Just finished with the phone calls. I was going to see what you wanted me to do next?”
“Ah, perfect. My next client should be here in twenty minutes. I could use your help with the next session.”
Hopping up I follow her to the studio, setting it up for a boudoir shoot which calls for vampy colors, a wingback chair, and a fancy Victorian couch. By the time the staging is done I’m sweating. I have no idea how Rachelle has managed so long without help.
Hours later when I leave, I get behind the wheel of my car and let out an exhausted breath.
Checking my phone, I find a few texts waiting for me.
A meme from Molly. A picture of an antique vase from my mom asking if I like it which I reply with an adamant no. And lastly a text from Hayden.
Hayden: What’s your favorite comfort food?
My brows knit at his odd question. I type out a hesitant Why?
His response comes in seconds. Hayden: Reasons. Work with me here Emilia.
Me: Don’t laugh.
Hayden: Why would I laugh?
Me: It’s McDonald’s okay. It’s my guilty pleasure.
Hayden: What do you like from there?
Me: WHY?
Hayden: Reasons.
Me: Stop answering with that.
Hayden: Then answer my question.
This man confuses me so much.
Me: A Big Mac with extra sauce. No pickles. And a chocolate shake. Like I said, don’t judge me.
Hayden: I’d never.
Me: What’s YOUR comfort food then?
Hayden: Homemade cinnamon rolls.
Me: Hmm didn’t expect that.
Hayden: What did you expect?
Me: I don’t know. Something boring like chicken. In case you haven’t noticed you’re kind of a buff guy. Doesn’t that mean you need a lot of protein or some shit?
He’s not here, but somehow, I know he’s laughing at me.
Hayden: We’re talking about comfort food here, not what I eat on a daily basis.
Me: You DO eat a lot of chicken, don’t you?
Hayden: Emilia.
Me: Hayden.
Hayden: Are you done with work?
Me: Yes.
Hayden: Are you going straight home?
Me: Yes.
Hayden: Are you hungry?
Me: Starving.
Me: You’re totally buying me McDonald’s aren’t you?
Me: Hayden?
Me: Don’t ignore me
Me: Hello.
Me: UGH BYE. I’m driving home now.
My mother always told me men can be infuriating at times. I’m beginning to see her point.
Once home I change out of my clothes and into something comfier. A part of me wonders if I should put more effort into my appearance since I expect Hayden’s going to show up, but then I remind myself he caught me sweaty and gross this morning and it led to a kiss. My beige and white tie-dyed sweatpants and tank top can’t be much worse.
Grabbing an Olipop from the fridge I open the can and pour it into one of the glasses Hayden used for his wine that first night. I add in a paper straw and set it down on the coffee table so I can grab the book I started yesterday from my room. Sitting in front of the T.V. reading for the evening sounds appealing to me.
I’ve barely wrapped the blanket around me and cracked the spine of the novel when there’s a knock on the door.
Fighting a smile, I get up and cross the room, swinging the door open to reveal Hayden standing there with a large bag of McDonald’s and a chocolate shake.
“I can’t believe you.” I shake my head in astonishment and step aside so he can come in.
He sets everything down on the coffee table and turns to me, hands on his hips. “I figured since it was your first day you might have been stressed, so…” He sweeps his hand toward the brown bag of food. “I guess I wanted to cheer you up too. You’ve seemed kind of down.” He scratches the back of his head awkwardly. “If it was a bad idea I can go.”
“Don’t you dare show up with food and then try to take it back.”
He throws his head back and laughs. “I’d leave the food. Well, not the cinnamon bun, that’s for me.”
My jaw drops. “McDonald’s has cinnamon buns now?”
“Apparently so.”
“Wow, they just have everything. Sit down.” I wave for him to take a seat since he keeps standing there. “If you think I’m bothering with plates you’re wrong.” I dig through the bag, pulling out the Big Mac and fries. I plunk the straw in the milkshake and take a sip of that first. “Man, that’s good. I haven’t had one of these since last year when I was sick and all I wanted was milkshakes.” He takes out the box with his cinnamon bun, a full foot of space between us on the couch. “Are you only going to eat that?” I gasp. “I’m such a pig.”
He chuckles. “I had a super late lunch, but I promise you I’ll eat every bite.”
“You better.” Setting the milkshake down I reach for the burger, my stomach growling in the process. I didn’t realize how ravenous I was. I guess I was too tired to notice. Running around the studio all day was surprisingly exhausting.
“How was today? Really?” He gets up as he asks the question and I turn to watch him navigate my kitchen easily, grabbing a fork from the drawer before returning.
“It was good.”
“That was three words, Emilia, give me more than that.”
Fiddling with fringe on one of the throw pillows, the burger box sits in my lap staring up at me with only one bite taken from it. “I enjoyed it and I was busy most of the day so that was nice since it made the time go faster. Rachelle is … I like her, a lot, but she’s a bit scattered. I think it’s going to be a pretty good fit for me.”
“Good. I’m glad to hear that, and Rachelle can be a little bad about instructing. I think it’s why help hasn’t worked in the past for her, but I think you can handle it.”
We grow quiet, the only sounds in the room are the muted voices coming from the episode of The Middle playing on the T.V. and our chewing. Something keeps nagging at me, so I find myself asking, “Hayden?”
He arches a brow. “Emilia?”
“Surely you have other friends here. I mean, I know you’re friends with Rachelle. Why are you hanging out with me?”
Me who has to seem immature compared to the worldly people he’s bound to know—who’s a nobody. A simple girl from a simple family who doesn’t even know what she wants to do or be in the future.
He licks a speck of icing off the corner of his lip. “Because I want to.”
I narrow my eyes on him. “That was four words Hayden, give me more than that.”
He chuckles, wiping his fingers on a napkin. “I have a few friends around here, sure, but most of them are married with kids. They’re in a different segment of life and there’s nothing wrong with that, but it makes seeing them difficult.” He stretches one long arm across the back of the couch, his fingers touching the side of my shoulder.