Romantic getaway? I don't think so

That special girl

Even though Mike had formally hired Anya by signing the papers, he was in no hurry to give her an actual assignment. He didn't feel good telling her what to do, because he got used to doing it all by himself. Another part of him, on the other hand, just wanted to talk to her.

He often felt completely alone among the crowds of people he had to be surrounded with. He couldn't talk to anyone much because, being a PR specialist, they were there to listen to what he had to say. They trusted their expertise, but their conversations were never deep. 

That's why he jumped at the chance to invite Dominic and Anya to his home, until they settle down on their own. He was in a desperate need for company, and the idea of his best friend living close to him even for a little while made him happy. He looked at the clock. It was already 7 p.m. and they still weren't home.

By that time he had finished making homemade noodles for the soup, the pasta was ready to be reheated, and the dough for the apple pie was covered with a kitchen cloth, waiting to be put in a mold. He was just thinking of the possibility of calling either of them when his phone buzzed in his pocket.

"Anya! Where are you? Please don't tell me you two have already moved in somewhere else."

"You wish. Dominic wanted me to call him when I'm done packing, but he still isn't picking up. He also told me to call you in case that happens. Are you ok with that?"

"I'm putting my shoes on, where do you need me to be?"

"The National History Museum, if that's all right."

"Of course it is."

He got into his Toyota RAV4 that was parked in front of the apartment. It took him twenty minutes to reach Anya. The weather was getting worse, and the cold wind started blowing so hard that he pulled up the windows. She came in and shuddered, rubbing her arms.

"Thank you for picking me up. I didn't expect this weather today."

"You've welcome, and neither have I. Let me turn the heating on," he said, fumbling with the heater, and she put a palm of her hand on his cheek.

"You are so kind."

"That's how I was raised," he winked.

"Have you heard from Dominic, by any chance?"

"No, ever since you two left he's out of reach."

"I hope everything is all right."

"He must have run into Kayla. I think that's the only reason he's still not at home."

"Exactly."

Silence sneaked into the car and he focused on the traffic in front of them. He gave her a quick glance. She bit her lip and her face dropped, but she didn't say a word. He saddened again. It hurt him that she tormented herself with thoughts that didn't serve her at all. How could she not have known Dominic by now?

"I'm sure he'll be back any minute now. Are you still cold?"

"I'm all right. I'm really hungry, though."

"Dinner is ready, I just have to reheat the pasta. I guess we're not waiting for him, then?"

"No. I don't have time for that."

"Yeah, I get you. We're almost there."

Once inside he helped her take off her coat.

"You sit down and I'll get the plates."

"I want to help you."

He raised a brow and smiled.

"You think I'd let you? Not going to happen, sorry."