Chapter 16

Mel

Dammit, why did I reply? I threw the phone on the sofa next to me. Nina had just texted saying thank you for the coffee, and my stupid ass couldn’t keep its fingers from responding. Stupid shit.

I got up and walked out to the kitchen. I should have just let it go. Who cared that she seemed interesting and different than everyone else? It wasn’t like I had the best of track records when it came to relationships, and I couldn’t see why this would become any different.

I filled a cup with water and put it in the microwave. How long had it been since my last relationship? A year… The bitch. I shouldn’t even think about it. I stared out the window. But Nina was different… She was nervous, but there was something about her… The microwave pinged, and I took the cup out and poured instant coffee into it.

I walked back to the living room and slumped down on the sofa. Now what… I had nothing planned today, and the bar wasn’t open yet. I shouldn’t go there anyway. I glanced at the phone. No one to text either. I forced myself not to pick it up and text Nina. Dammit, why had I engaged with her again? I should have just been happy with the occasional night I could get with someone from the bar. I didn’t need a relationship.

But damn, she was different… I wondered what she was doing now. We’d never managed to talk about her life, and I barely knew anything about her. Graphic designer… Maybe she had a website? I picked up the phone and searched for her name. Bingo.

I browsed through it. Man, she was good… She was really good. Maybe she could do something for my exhibition? Or my other art events… I fiddled with the phone. Dammit, I shouldn’t ask her. I stared at the phone and began to write,

‘Hey, I saw your website. You’re really good. Would you be up for doing some work for my arts exhibitions?’

I hesitated for a moment and then pressed send. Shit… Why was she even so interested in my landscapes? No one cared about them any longer or ever had, for that matter. Stupid shit, it didn’t matter. I didn’t do them any longer.

I glanced at the phone. She hadn’t replied. Maybe she was busy. Dammit, I might as well go for a run.

I got dressed and left the phone on the sofa as I headed out. At least this should sort out my head. The streets were empty as I came out, and I continued towards the park and the abandoned industrial area. I wondered where my ex was now. The bitch. At least she’d move away when we broke up, so I didn’t need to see her around any longer. Stupid shit, had any of my relationships ever worked out? Single nights were easier and less messy. That should cover what I needed.

I took a right as I came out into the industrial area and headed towards the old warehouse. Bitches, all of them. No one ever worked out, it had been a mistake to go into any of them. I continued down the path, and slowly my breathing calmed into a steady rhythm. I turned left and continued running. I should get myself a hobby, one that doesn’t include the bar. That should get me on the right path and stop me from thinking about it.

I slowed down as I came full circle and slowly walked back to the flat. After a shower, I slumped down on the sofa and picked up the phone. She still hadn’t replied.