Tim & Chuck

CH 16:: Tim & Nettie Walk into a Bar

"Think she'll actually give this one a chance?" 
"Absolutely not. But it's always fun to see the kinds of men who line up to try."

"You know, I liked my idea better."

Tim grumbled good-naturedly as Nettie practically dragged him to Attaboy, which was an ironically named but nonetheless popular bar in the city.

"You're literally a slug like 15% of the time and a workaholic the other 85%. I am NOT letting you be a slug on your own birthday." Nettie said emphatically, still not letting go of his hand, as they waited to cross the street to their destination.

"It was a long work day, and since it's just the two of us, takeout and a movie sounded so much more appealing." Tim replied, only a little offended at being compared to a shell-less gastropod.

He did have to admit that his social life had been lacking as of late since recovering from the week he had been sick, if you didn't count the impromptu times he had seen Carly. Although that was a few weeks ago, he still felt like he had not caught up on his responsibilities at the Journal. But Nettie was nothing if not irresistible.

"Ok well, just because our entire family isn't crowding into your apartment, doesn't mean you get to be a hermit today. It's time to have fun and enjoy you turning twenty-nine!" Nettie flashed a big smile at her big brother, and he couldn't help but smile back.

"Besides," Nettie continued as Tim opened the door for her, "It's not just the two of us."

"What?" Tim looked across to see Alex, Jen and Carly all sitting in a semi-circle booth, waving at him.

"I took the liberty to invite a couple people. Unfortunately Mom and Dad couldn't make it, but I thought this would be a close second." Nettie grinned.

Tim felt a wave of happiness wash over him as he saw his friends. Despite his earlier objections, he was suddenly grateful that his sister had made him go out. However, he also realized something strange.

After greeting his friends and sitting down, Tim and Nettie bookended the three other friends, but he really had a question for his sister. Pulling out his phone under the table, Tim typed, "How did you know to invite Carly??"

Three little dots appeared next to Nettie's profile picture immediately. "Oh, I had stopped by her bakery one day cuz I wanted to meet this lady friend that you talk about so much😉 Remember that time you were sick and she 'accidentally' spent the night?"

Tim's jaw dropped as the pieces appeared in his mind that he had never noticed until then. But before Tim could respond, another text came through quickly. "She did me a solid and snuck you Nyquil. So basically she's your gorgeous neighbor who has crazy baking skills AND takes care of you when you're sick on a whim. Nice catch big bro!😂"

Tim could feel his face heat up quickly and he was suddenly grateful that he had the foresight to hide his phone under the table while he was sitting next to Carly. Nettie was about as subtle as a sledgehammer but he knew she meant well, despite her mischievous actions. But that didn't stop him from feeling embarrassed as all get out.

"I'm not trying to catch her. She's just a friend, Nettie. And we WILL discuss the Nyquil thing later." Tim typed out, before shutting off his phone and putting it on silent. He glared across at Nettie who was silently trying to contain her laughter.

Sensing his stiffness, Carly looked at him with an eyebrow raised over her round-rimmed glasses. "You ok?" She whispered, as Nettie carried a conversation with Alex and Jen. Tim nodded and smiled.

Before Carly could scrutinize further, Tim was saved by the waiter who brought over their appetizers. If he stuffed his face with food, he wouldn't be able to answer any awkward questions.