“So, do you mind telling me how this,” Claudia gestured to us, “happened?”
She put the kettle on, resting her back on the countertop.
Thomas helped me out of my coat. “Don’t act surprised,”
“I am, actually. I’m happy you worked things out, but I’m curious because you’re the most stubborn person I know.”
“I don’t know what you want me to say. People change, Claudia.”
His phone started ringing, and he fished it out of his pocket. The screen lit up withChrissy,making me cringe.
Thomas wantedme. There was no rational reason to be jealous, but jealousy wasn’t a rational feeling.
“Take it,” I said seeing he was about to reject the call. “She’s been calling all morning.”
He slid his finger across the screen, pressing the phone to his ear.
“Hey, Chrissy. I was going to call you back later.”
I didn’t want to hear their conversation and obsess over every small detail like the look on his face, the tone of his voice or the words he spoke. I tapped his shoulder, gesturing toward the living room.
“You look ready to throw up.” Claudia wrinkled her nose. “Who’s Chrissy?”
“Thomas didn’t tell you about her?”
She shook her head, reassuring my insecurities. Claudia was important to Thomas, and as he failed to tell her about Chrissy, it was safe to assume he didn’t feel there was anything worth mentioning.
“She is…”
“Was,” Thomas corrected, entering the kitchen. “She wasa distraction. Before you throw something heavy at me,” he looked at Claudia, “she was not the kind of distraction you have in mind.”
“I don’t need the details.” She placed two cups on the table.
I sipped on the coffee, glancing around the room. “Will it be very rude if I ask for a slice of pie?”
Claudia’s eyes lit up, a smile growing wider. She pulled the oven door open, and the smell intensified, reminding me of when Dad, Nick and I used to visit grandma on Sunday afternoons. She lived out in the countryside in a cottage she had spent her whole life in. A small orchard tucked away in the back was my favourite place when apples were in season.
“Not at all! I didn’t offer because Thomas gets nauseous whenever he has to eat something I make. I thought he might’ve warned you not to eat here.”
“That’s because you can’t cook,” Thomas pointed out.
“But Icanbake.”
“Then we’d make a decent duo,” I said when she placed a small plate in front of me. “I can’t bake, but I can cook just fine.”
The pie looked as if it was taken straight out of a commercial—perfectly fluffy and golden-brown. I stuffed my mouth with a forkful, letting out a quiet sigh. It was delicious—just like grandma used to make years ago.
“Okay, I’m sold,” Thomas said. “Let me try.” He reached to take my fork, but I moved away.
“Get your own. I don’t share.”
Claudia giggled, placing another slice on a clean plate for Thomas to enjoy. I was done before he went through half of his, so I poked around his plate, stealing a few small pieces.
“Thomas!” We heard a small voice call from the living room a while later. Maya ran into the kitchen in red rain boots and a yellow raincoat, her nose pink from the cold. She climbed onto his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck.
“Hey, sunshine. How did you know I was here?”
A man in his late thirties entered the room. “She sprinted back here when she saw your car.” He held his hand out for Thomas to shake, then outstretched it to me. “You must be Nadia. I’m Richard.”