Chapter 22

Mel

I stacked the papers and put them back in the folder. Man, she’d really asked me for a coffee?

“So… Where do you want to go?”

She closed her laptop and stood up, staring down at the table.

“I… I know a place…”

She turned and stumbled on the chair as she walked over to the door. She halted by it, clutching her laptop to her chest. Had it been a mistake to say yes? But she had wanted it… I took the folder and walked over to her.

“So... After you…”

I gestured at the door and followed her out. Man, what was I doing? I shouldn’t have said yes. But it was she who asked…

“So… which way?”, I asked as we came out onto the street.

“This way…”

She began walking, and I followed her.

“So… Does the project look okay for you?”

Man, couldn’t I shut up just for once? She nodded.

“How long have you been doing graphic design?”

“A couple of years…”

“You learnt it yourself?”

She nodded. Man, what was I doing? She’d asked me for a coffee, I shouldn’t push my luck. She turned a corner and then halted before a cafe. She was still clutching the laptop to her chest.

“It’s here?”, I asked.

She nodded and pushed the door open. It was crowded as we stepped inside, but she found an empty table in the corner, and I followed her.

“Hey, is…is that you?”

I turned. It was a girl, sitting with her friends at a nearby table.

“What?”

“Is that you? Mel? The artist?”

I had no idea who she was, but I was used to being stopped by people. I nodded.

“I loved your latest interview in Spirit Magazine! I’ve been to your exhibitions. Your paintings are amazing!”

Dammit…

“Thanks…”

I turned to follow Nina.

“Hey, could I…. Could I have your autograph?”

Stupid shit…

“Sure…”

She held out a card and a pen, and I took it. It was a print of one of my paintings. I scribbled my signature on it and handed it back.

“Thank you! Let me know if you want a coffee someday.”

She smiled and winked at me.

“Sure…”

Stupid shit. Spending a night with something wasn’t something I normally declined, but I drew my line with idiots. Anyone liking my abstract paintings fell into that category.

I turned and walked over to the table. Nina had already taken her seat, staring down at her lap.

“Sorry for that.”

“That’s okay…”

“So… What do you want? A latte?”

She nodded, and I walked over to the counter. Stupid shit. But at least I didn’t need to pass that girl again. Once I’d paid, I returned to our table and sat down.

“So… You had a good day?”

She nodded and took a sip of her coffee.

“And… you…?”

It was one of the few times she’d continued the conversation.

“Yeah, it’s been fine. Any plans for the evening?”

She shook her head, and silence fell between us. I took a sip of my coffee and leaned back in the chair. How many times had we met since that first dinner? Three? Four? I couldn’t remember. I glanced at her. Why had I agreed to that evening? Oh, the bastards refused her because she was disfigured. Idiots. And then… I thought back on the car journey to the restaurant. She’d been just sitting quietly the whole time, and….

I glanced at her. She was different, not like those idiots who only followed whatever hashtag was trending on TikTok. I cleared my throat.

“I have an exhibition next week. You want to come?”

Stupid shit. I shouldn’t have asked, but the words were out of my mouth before I could stop them. She sat silent for a moment and then nodded.

“I… can come and pick you up if you want?”, I said.

Man, just shut up already. She nodded. I stared at her.

“Cool…”