An Unexpected Encounter in the Middle of a Very Long Week
I had a nightmare. About Grumpy. He just stood there, staring at me with those cold blue eyes, his brow drawn tight. It scared the hell out of me. I even woke up sweating. I haven’t gone anywhere near the pharmacy since. Honestly, I don’t think I’ll ever set foot in that damn place again.
After that, I wasn’t even surprised when this week’s workload turned out to be heavier—and worse—than before. I emailed Thessa, told her I was concerned, and asked if she could arrange for another translator to help out. She replied with a thumbs-up and a heart emoji.
Which basically means: I don’t care—deal with it yourself. But, you know, love you.
If next week goes the same way, I’m not letting her off the hook until she actually does something, because I’m going to lose my mind like this. I can barely fall asleep at night—my brain just keeps spinning. This morning I woke up with my fists clenched. The marks from my nails were still visible on my palms hours later. And it’s only the end of March. Just the first month.
I’ve lost all motivation to go for walks, but I’ve somehow gotten into squats. Every couple of hours I step out onto the balcony and do twenty. By the end of this project, my ass is going to look amazing. Even Thessa might get jealous—with her annoyingly perfect body.
On Wednesday, I had to run down the little shop just outside, at the bottom of the building. The young dad was there too—the one whose wife cheated on him with his own brother. As bizarre as his story is, he didn’t look like someone who’d fallen apart. If anything… he was kind of cute. Light, curly hair. A soft, boyish smile. Two little dimples whenever he grins. And he’s pretty much always grinning.
We finished shopping at the same time, and he walked out behind me. When we reached the entrance, he suddenly darted ahead of me like some kind of superhero and pulled the door open.
“Wow,” I said, nodding in approval. “Nice move.”
“Right?” he said, straightening up proudly. “That’s why I became a karate coach—so I can open doors like a pro.”
I laughed.
“Well, congratulations. Clearly all those years of hard work paid off.”
The fine lines around his eyes lit up. Without even realizing it, I caught his mood—instinctively, on a gut level. The crushing exhaustion eased into something lighter, almost weightless. My body let go, settling into a calm, easy kind of presence instead of that constant tension.
“And you?” he asked, a playful glint in his eyes. “What’s your superpower?”
My eyes narrowed instantly, my head tilting to the side, a knowing smile forming on my lips. I slipped into the game without hesitation.
“Well,” I said in a mock-serious tone, “I turn incomprehensible texts into something almost human. I speak the languages of more than just people.”
I raised my eyebrows, as if to add: Well? Beat that.
He gave me an impressed look.
“Wow… not bad,” he said. “I’ve never met a real wizard before.” Then he gestured toward the elevator. “Would you do me the honor of letting me walk you home?”
I ran three fingers along my chin thoughtfully.
“Hmm. I usually teleport, but since you asked so nicely… I’ll make an exception.”
He pressed the call button.
“I can’t wait to tell the guys at training tonight,” he said with a grin. “How far do I get to enjoy your company?”
I tossed my hair like I was soaking in the attention.
“Third floor,” I said, still playing along. “And just so you know—you made my day with that jump. Actually, I think it was the most exciting moment of my entire week.”
We both laughed. I stepped out, but waited until the elevator doors closed, waving at him the whole time.
A few minutes later, when I went into the bathroom to wash my hands, I realized I was still smiling exactly the same way as when we said goodbye. And then I noticed the dark circles under my eyes.
God… what must that karate guy think of me?
Hopefully I’ll run into him about as often as I have so far. Twice a year. By autumn, he’ll have completely forgotten the crazy girl from the third floor.
Though, honestly, it felt really good to joke around like that with someone.
If it’s not six months, but five…
I wouldn’t mind.
My friends had an hour last night before heading out to dinner at Dave’s new restaurant. I could see the disappointment on Adele’s face when I said I wasn’t going with them. But there’s no way I’m sacrificing my sleep just to sit there and look at Dave’s smug face.
“Alright, what’s everyone having?” Adele asked after shooing me out of my own kitchen. “Emily, sit down and enjoy these few minutes of peace,” she said firmly.
“Did I see gin?” Mark asked.
“No,” Adele shot back. “You absolutely did not. What do you want instead? There’s still some of that awful white rum you brought. Should I make a mojito?”
Mark grimaced.
“Nothing else?”
“Sure. Tap water and cheap wine—also yours. Which one?”
“Mojito,” he sighed.
“And you, Sofia?”
“I’ll stick with water. I’m on call.”
Adele put her hands on her hips.
“You’ve got to be kidding,” she said, offended. “So they can call you out for some ‘emergency’ anytime?” She made air quotes.
I raised an eyebrow at her completely unnecessary jab—especially since she has two dogs herself.
“It hardly ever happens that I actually have to go out,” Sofia explained gently. “Most of the time we handle it over the phone, or they bring them into emergency. I’ve only had to do a house call once or twice at night.”
Adele just rolled her eyes.
As I walked them out, I grabbed Adele’s wrist and pulled her a step back. I leaned in close to her ear.
“Why don’t you order one… they deliver in a day,” I whispered, referring to the brochure.
“I already bought one,” she said, stressing the first word.
“Then use it more often,” I murmured.
Adele’s little performance was more than enough to make me feel even better about not going with them. Even if that one hour was the only time I spent with people all week.
Except for the cute karate coach.
Or rather… just the karate coach.
This week was a lot.