“I still think you should lead with the history between the companies,” Maurice said, looking at the monitor over Nancy’s shoulder. She crossed her arms.

  “That’s disingenuous. I’d rather state what we want up front rather than butter them up.”

  Maurice chuckled and put his hand on her shoulder. “Yes, but Martin Schwab isn’t you. He likes fluff and sentimentality.”

  Nancy sighed before stretching. “Let’s sleep on it. We’ve been at this too long as it is.

  Maurice clapped and grabbed his folders on her desk. “Best thing you’ve said all day.” He walked towards the doors but skidded to a halt when something outside caught his eye. “What the hell,” he said, walking to the window. “Umm, you might want to see this.”

  “What’s that?” she asked as she saved the letter.

  “It’s the Six, it’s at a dead stop to the horizon.”

  “What?” Nancy looked, and he was right. All lanes of Interstate Six going east were packed from the mixing bowl connector just north of the office all the way out into the hills.

  “My god.” She grabbed the TV remote off her desk and turned it on as Maurice joined her to watch.

  “...tinuing coverage of the chemical spill inside the Medesco Tunnel. We go live now to Jay Jackson inside traffic copter two for the latest.”

  “Thanks Lindsey, as you can see, all lanes of Interstate Six going east are at a standstill,” the reporter said as the camera panned out showing the gridlock. “We are advising people find alternate routes and to stay off The Six. The authorities and DOT are attempting to route people off and set up detour signs now.”

  The camera switched back to the anchor. “We’ve just received statements from police and DOT saying they are focusing on clearing the tunnel before they can begin clean-up efforts. Emergency response crews have been called from neighboring counties and police ask that people please give them the right of way.”

  Nancy sighed and turned the TV off. “Guess I’m spending the night here.”

  “Don’t do that. Come stay with us. Jas and Yev would love to see you.” He gave her a weak smile. “We’ll find a way to fit a fourth person in.”

  She chuckled. “In the ‘cat pile’ you said you all sleep in? Thank you, but I should be fine,” she said, looking out the window before she snapped her head back to him. “Why are you still sharing a studio with two people?”

  Maurice tilted his head to the side and shrugged. “We like it cozy. We ran the numbers, but if we moved into something bigger, we’d only be able to eat every other day.”

  “My god. Isn’t there somewhere cheaper to live?”

  “Oh, there is, but we love downtown. And walking to work saves me from having a car.”

  “That still seems absurd.”

  Maurice nodded. “Oh, it is, but it’s not like someone can make landlords lower their rent.”

  Nancy squinted at him for a moment before sighing. “Head home. I’m going to tidy up, then venture out for something to eat.”

  “Are you sure? You could take the bed.”

  She squinted at him. “And where would all of you sleep? On the floor? No.” Maurice sighed and Nancy patted his shoulder. “Go on, I’ll be fine. This won’t be the first night I’ve spent on the pull-out.”

  “All right,” he said. “I’ll bring breakfast tomorrow.”

  “You’re a gem.”

  After Maurice left, Nancy straightened her desk and prepped things for tomorrow. As she pulled her jacket on to go out for dinner, her phone buzzed. She opened it expecting Jared or Michael, but it was Ikher.

  “Hey! I just got home and saw the news. Are you caught in that?”

  “Thankfully, no. I’m still at the office.”

  “Oh man, that’s good. What are you gonna do? I know that’s your way home.”

  “I’m spending the night at the office.”

  “What? No! Don’t do that. Come stay with me. I’m not too far from Ranola.”

  “Are you sure? I don’t want to put you out.”

  “Nancy,” Ikher said with a motherly tone he got from time to time. “If I’m offering, then you aren’t putting me out. Besides, you said you have what, a pull-out couch? I’ve got a queen-sized bed that you already know is comfortable.”

  She smiled. “It is.”

  “Dinner could be ready by the time you get here.”

  “Tempting me with your cooking will always work.”

  He laughed. “Come have dinner. I bought some movies. We can make a night of it.”

  “Well,” she said with a sigh. “It won’t be that kind of night.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “We can’t do anything intimate. It’s that time of the month.”

  Ikher laughed. “I don’t care. I wasn’t even thinking about that. Get over here, you’ll have fun. I promise.”

  She smiled again. “All right, let me get my things and figure out how I’m going to get to you.”

  “Awesome.”

----------------------------------------

  The journey to Ikher’s was what she expected. The side streets were packed with people trying to avoid The Six. Instead of heading toward him, she drove south. Almost to the port, she turned north east and zigzagged her way toward Oak Grove.

  “Oh man, that was quicker than I thought!” Ikher said as he opened the door.

  “I know!” Nancy smiled and set her things on the couch. “I took a bit of a chance and it paid off.”

  “Nice! Only problem is, the food isn’t ready,” he said with a hand toward the stove.

  “Do I have time for a shower?”

  “Absolutely.”

  Nancy finished as Ikher set the table. Ikher snorted when she came out wearing her tracksuit. “Gonna go for a run before or after dinner?”

  “Oh hush, it’s all I had,” she said with a huff.

  “You can borrow something of mine. Probably be more comfortable.”

  Nancy looked down at herself and sighed. “I suppose this is a little ridiculous. As long as you don’t mind?”

  “Nah, it’s all good. Come on,” Ikher said with a wave as he walked back to his bedroom. “We just have to find something that’ll fit you,” he said, looking her up and down before rummaging through his drawers.

  It took a couple tries, but they settled on an old rock band t-shirt and a pair of silver and red pajama pants. The shirt fit, but the pajamas stopped at her calves.

  Ikher grinned up to her. “If the place floods, I guess you’ll be okay,” he laughed.

  “Oh hush,” she said with a smile and pushed his shoulder.

  Ikher laughed and waved to the front. “Ready to eat?”

----------------------------------------

  As they ate, Ikher glanced up to see Nancy examining him while chewing. She had that predatory look she would get when picking something apart.

  “What’s up?”

  Nancy blinked and laughed. “I’m sorry, I was just thinking.”

  Ikher speared another forkful of chorizo. “What about?"

  Nancy’s head tilted to the side and her eyes narrowed. “You.”

  “Oookay.”

  She smiled. “You said sales put a roof over your head. So it sounds like you don’t love it.”

  “Eh, it’s getting me by til I figure something else out.”

  “If you had your druthers, what would you do?” she asked, tilting her head up.

  He exhaled and tapped his fork against his plate. “Ummm, I think maybe I’d teach. That or write.”

  “Really? What would you write?”

  “Probably a biography on my dad.”

  “Aww, that’s touching.”

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  “Thanks. No way I could do it though,” he said with a laugh. “Ma would murder me if I put her in a book and it became a best seller. Can’t do a book about dad without her in it, so I guess I’m teaching.”

  She smiled. “Hmm, I think you’d be an excellent teacher. You have the temperament for it.”

  “Well thank you,” he beamed before picking his fork up. “What about you?

  “Me?”

  “Yeah. If you weren’t the all powerful CEO, what would you be doing?"

  Nancy laughed. “If only I were all powerful.” She sat back in her chair, took a deep breath, pursed her lips, and the intense look returned. After a moment, she nodded. “I’d be an architect.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes. That was my undergrad. I loved it.” She swayed a bit in her seat. “Sometimes, when I get spare moments at work, I sneak down and harass my design director to let me play with their software.”

  “That sounds fun.”

  “It is,” she said with a big smile. Ikher was pretty sure he hadn’t seen her this excited about anything they had talked about before. He let her finish a mouthful before he asked.

  “Do you not like being the big boss?”

  Nancy took a deep breath as her shoulders squared and her face became blank before she said, “I don’t dislike it, but it’s... a necessary evil.”

  “I can’t even imagine being in charge of everything. I’d be terrified.”

  There was a distant look to her eyes for a moment before she looked to him and nodded.

  “It is terrifying. Every decision has the livelihood of thousands weighing on it. If I make the wrong choice, someone might not have a roof over their head or be able to eat.”

  “Oh wow. How do you know what’s the right choice?”

  “You don’t. Often, it’s the best of poor decisions and you try to make the choice that harms the least amount of people.”

  “That sounds horrible. I’d throw up.”

  That made Nancy chuckle. “Funny you say that. I was so scared of messing everything up when I first started. I’d wait until my assistant left for the day and I’d cry until I threw up.”

  Ikher reached over and squeezed her hand. “But, it got easier, right? You seem pretty good these days.”

  “Well, not all days. As you’ve experienced,” she said with a weak smile.

  He shook his head. “I didn’t mean it like that. I’m sorry.”

  It was her turn to squeeze his hand. “It’s okay. I didn’t take it like that.”

  “Oh good,” he said as he picked his fork back up. “Maybe, we change the subject. How’s the food?”

  She smiled at him as she chewed and swallowed. “Not spicy enough,” she said with a wink.

  After they finished and cleared the table, Ikher pointed to the stack of DVDs on the coffee table.

  “Your pick.”

  Ikher handed her the remote and headed to the bathroom. He heard the tv turn on but when he returned to the front room he found Nancy, arms folded, focused on a news conference.

  “… homicides from neighboring jurisdictions show similar characteristics. This information along with leads called in by the public lead us to believe these crimes are connected. At this time, we believe a single individual is responsible. More information will be provided as its available. Questions?” Nancy muted the television and shook her head as Ikher joined her.

  “I’m glad they’re making progress on this. Nadia was a good person. She didn’t deserve that.”

  “Yeah, it’s all pretty fucked up.” They stared at the muted news conference which flashed pictures of the victims.

  Nancy shook her head again and gave him a weak smile. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring the evening down.”

  “Not down at all,” Ikher said, squeezing her arm. He grabbed the stack of DVDs and named the genres as he shuffled through them. “Let’s see, we have sci-fi, western, silly horror movie, kung-fu, and romantic comedy.”

  Nancy’s eyebrows went up as she held up a hand. “Wait, you bought a romantic comedy?”

  “Yeah... “

  “Men don’t usually like romantic movies.”

  “Umm, I guess,” he said with a shrug. “I like the lead guy in this one.” Ikher handed over the DVD. Nancy did a double take when she turned the case to look at Something about Mandy.

  “Johnny Fresh?” she asked, handing it back to him.

  “Dude’s hilarious. You wanna watch that one?”

  “I don’t know... “

  He laughed. “Come on, you made faces at all the others. This might be our only option.”

  She sighed and nodded. “I suppose you’re right. Let’s try it.”

  Ikher was right, the movie was hilarious. They had to pause it several times to go back because they had missed something because of laughing. He never would have figured Nancy for a softie, but the tender parts of the movie got to her. When ever there was an emotional scene between the main characters she got sniffly. After the second time, Ikher brought over a box of tissues.

  At the end of the movie, before the credits, Johnny Fresh came on to introduce the bloopers. As he thanked everyone for supporting him, Ikher glanced over to see Nancy’s cheeks wet as she stared at the screen. Her lip quivered a bit before she noticed him watching. She looked away and sniffed.

  “Hey, you okay?” he asked, his hand on her shoulder. Nancy sniffed again and nodded to him after a deep breath. “Was it the movie?”

  “Yes,” she said, taking a tissue and dabbing her face. Ikher turned the tv off and put his arm around her.

  “Man, I’d hate to see you with a regular romance movie.”

  “Oh hush,” she said before blowing her nose. “I’m not normally like this.”

  He pulled her close and hugged her. “Is it a time of the month thing?”

  She didn’t resist his hug and after a moment laid her head on his shoulder.

  “Maybe.” She sniffed again before a hard exhale. “Or maybe I’m just a weepy sentimental old woman.”

  “Aww.” Ikher squeezed her and rubbed her shoulder. “You’re not that weepy,” he said, which earned him a jab in the ribs.

  “Come on,” he said, kissing her head. “Let’s turn in. We have work in the morning.”

  They got up, Nancy going to the bathroom to wash up and Ikher into the bedroom to turn down the bed. As she was finishing, he walked past with a bed sheet and pillow going towards the living room.

  She poked her head out of the bathroom. “What are you doing?”

  “Setting myself up on the couch.”

  She shook her head. “Why?”

  He looked back and forth. “To... give you privacy?”

  Nancy let out a frustrated sigh and snatched the pillow from him.

  “Ikher, we’ve had sex multiple times. I think we can sleep in the same bed.”

  He shrugged. “Oh, I was just trying to be polite.”

  She smiled, shaking her head. “You’re adorable. But I’m not kicking you out of your own bed,” she said and smacked him with the pillow.

  He laughed and backed up. “Hey!”

  “Oh please! That didn’t hurt,” she said and hit him with it again.

  “All right, you’re gonna get yourself in trouble.” He held the sheet to guard himself.

  “Oooh, I’m scared,” she said as she drew back the pillow to hit him again.

  Before she could, he threw the sheet over her, picked her up over his shoulder, and carried her into the bedroom. Ikher pitched her onto the bed and then sat down, grabbing her ankle.

  “All right, let’s see if you’re ticklish,” he said, running his fingertips over the bottom of her foot.

  Nancy squealed and jerked her leg as she fought to escape. “Ikher! NO!”

  “I dunno, you beat me up with a pillow,” he said and tickled her foot again, which caused more squealing and squirming.

  “No! Please!” she wailed from under the sheet.

  He let her ankle go and got off the bed sheet. She threw off the sheet, sat up, and flipped her hair out of her face. She pointed at him as she tried not to smile.

  “Not okay.”

  When he laughed at her disheveled, not Nancy-like appearance and pitiful attempt at being stern, she poked him in the ribs and then his underarm.

  “I’m not ticklish, sorry,” he said, holding his arms up for her to poke him where ever she wanted. She tried a couple more spots before giving up.

  “Damn it,” she huffed and glared at him, which made him laugh more. “I’m gonna get you back for that.”

  He held his hands up. “Sorry, you were sad earlier, so I thought that might help.” Ikher slowly extended his hand. “Truce? So we can sleep?”

  Nancy eyed him warily before taking his hand so he could help her off the bed. They got in, each taking a respective side. Ikher paused as he reached up to turn off the lamp.

  “Oh hey, do you need to read before you sleep or anything?”

  Nancy shook her head and smiled. “No, I try to keep the bed for sleep or... other things.”

  Ikher nodded, turned the lamp off, and turned to face her. The curtains muted the moonlight coming in, so there was just enough light to him to see. When he touched her shoulder, she turned to him.

  Raising up on one elbow, Ikher took her head gently in his hand and kissed her. He felt her exhale and when he pulled away, she grabbed his wrist to keep it in place. She kissed him back and pulled him over.

  Nancy slipped a leg under him and turned, pulling him over on top of her. She grabbed and squeezed his butt. Ikher moved his hand from her neck and cupped her breast, making her moan in their kiss. Her legs tightened around him.

  Something ticked in his memory and he pulled away. She looked up with an excited anticipation at his next move. His eyebrows came together, and he asked.

  “I thought you said we couldn’t do anything?”

  “Ugh, damn it. No, we shouldn’t,” she said, her head falling back against the pillow. She poked him in the chest. “You started this."

  He chuckled. “Sorry, I was just saying goodnight.”

  “No,” Nancy sighed. “I’m sorry we can’t do anything.”

  “Eh, it’s okay,” he said, giving her a quick kiss before he fell on his side next to her. “We had fun tonight, right? It’s not always about sex.”

  “Oh, so I’m not just some conquest of yours?” she said as she turned to face him.

  “What? No. Not at all. I mean, the sex part is great. But I like you for more than that.”

  “Ah-ha,” Nancy said, pushing up on one elbow to point at him. “So all those waters and dinners from before weren’t just neighborly?”

  “No! They were. Well, at first they were. Once you started relaxing, I got to see the wizard behind the curtain. And she’s pretty awesome.”

  “So I’m not some horrible monster?”

  He thought for a second then said, “Ummm, I could be wrong and you are.” He reached over and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. “But, I think that maybe if you’re a monster, it’s because people are monsters to you. And maybe I get to see the real you because I’m not.”

  Nancy blinked, then opened her mouth but closed. She took a deep breath and smiling. Sliding over to him, she took his face in her hands and kissed him.

“Thank you for not being a monster.”

  Ikher kissed her and wrapped his arm around her, pulling her into him. She wrapped a leg around him again and pushed him onto his back. With her on top, he ran his hands down her back, over her hips, and squeezed her butt. Nancy moaned in their kiss and moved her hips against him.

  “I want you,” she whispered in his ear before pushing herself up to get a better angle at grinding herself against him.

  “Fuuuck,” he moaned with his head back. She had her shirt off and was working at the sports bra off when his hands grabbed hers, stopping her.

  “Wait. Should we really do this with, you know, your time and all?”

  “Damn. It.” Her shoulders fell as she let out a frustrated sigh. “No, we shouldn’t.”

  Ikher held his hands up. “Hey, you started it this time.”

  “I know! I know!” Nancy said as she begrudgingly pulled his t-shirt back on. She flung herself back to her side of the bed and looked over her shoulder. “You stay over there. You’re too tempting.”

  Ikher chuckled and reached over to squeeze her shoulder. “Night Nance.”

  “Goodnight Ikher,” she said, squeezing his hand.

  They both settled in. Nancy shuffled a bit on her side and just as he was about to fall asleep, Ikher felt an icy touch on his back.

  “Ikher?” Nancy said.

  He turned over to face her. “Yeah?”

  “It’s a little cold. Do you have another blanket or comforter?”

  “Just the blanket I was going to use on the couch.”

  They were far enough into fall where the nights were getting to be chilly. He tried to think if there was anything else she could use. When nothing came to mind, he scooted over to the middle and grabbed her waist. She turned as he pulled her into him so her back was against his chest. Ikher wrapped his arm around her chest.

  They laid there for a while before he asked. “Is this warm enough?

  “It is, thank you,” she said and moved his arm down to her waist. “Is this okay for you?”

  “Yeah,” he said, squeezing her. “Goodnight monster.”

  “Goodnight,” she said and put her arm around his, which didn’t feel as chilled as before. Their shared cozy warmth and Nancy’s rhythmic breathing lulled him into sleep.

  As the sun crept up over the horizon, the light coming through the window climbed down the wall until it hit his face. Ikher covered his eyes and turned over. He reached out but only found empty space. Blinking, he looked around, but Nancy was nowhere to be seen.

  “Nance?”

  No reply. Sitting up, he saw the shirt and pajamas she’d worn folded on his dresser. He got up, walked to the front room and looked out the window. Her car was gone. When he turned, he saw a folded piece of paper with his name held on the fridge with a magnet.

  ‘Ikher,

  I’m sorry to leave before you were up. Please don’t think it’s you, I always go into work this early. I wanted to thank

  you for a wonderful night and say that I appreciate everything you do for and with me.

  - Nancy

  P.S. The news reports about The Six aren’t promising. If they don’t open the interstate and it’s all right with you, I’d

  like to stay with you again tonight. I’ll call when I get a free moment today.’

  He sighed and smiled, tapping the folded note in his hand before walking back to the bedroom to tuck it in his stash box.