Roxanne opened her eyes just as the light of the bright morning sun began to spill through the windows.
"I'm sorry, I didn't wake you did I?"
She looked over the back of the couch and saw a sleepy looking Mort.
He must love that bath robe..
"Oh, no. I woke up on my own."
"Good. I couldn't sleep and have been up since 5 a.m. trying to write the ending to this damn book."
"Blah, blah, blah, and everyone died. The end. Perfect ending right there."
Mort laughed. "Nah, that'll never work. That was the ending to my last book."
"I must have missed that one. I'll be sure to look for it."
Roxanne couldn't help but smile. She really enjoyed having playful conversation with someone. The only other person she talked to reguarlarly was her boss, and that's never a fun thing.
"You want something to drink? I don't know what's in there, but I'm sure there is something safe." Mort asked, pointing to the kitchen.
Roxanne laughed. "Uhm, bottled water if you happen to have some."
Mort nodded and walked into the other room.
Roxanne Scarlett Winters, what the hell are you doing in his house?
He's a nice person.. and he's cute..
You know what happens when you get too close to someone too soon..
I'm NOT getting too close.. my car got stuck.. I had no choice..
Don't act like you didn't secretly deep down inside love the fact you were "stuck here"
"You alright?"
Roxy took the bottle of water from Mort's hands.
"Oh, yeah. I'm fine. Just kind of spacing out."
Lies. You know you're going to be FAR from fine.
Roxanne looked Mort over.
She had to admit, although he looked like hell, he still had a certain cuteness to him.
Mort took a seat next to Roxy on the couch.
Awkward Silence.
"...So what exactly brings you up to the middle of nowhere, anyways?" Mort asked, obviously trying to break the quiet.
Roxy sighed, "My life pretty much fell apart, to be quite honest."
Mort noticed the change in her mood and moved closer. He had a concerned look on his face.
"What makes you say that?"
This will be the hundredth time I've explained this...
"For a while there, my life was completely on track. I had the job of my dreams, was engaged to what I thought was the man of my dreams, and was living comfortably in an amazing house in the suburbs. I thought everything was planned out and actually going to go the way I wanted.."
"What happened?" Mort whispered.
Roxy could feel the emotions begin to build back up inside her.
Shit.
"I came home early one day to find my 'dream' man in MY bed with MY so-called best friend. After I kicked his ass out, I really didn't want to be living in the house we bought... I bought... to spend the rest of our lives in... And although I still have my job, I sometimes catch myself wondering if I really enjoy it as much as I used to. These days, the money and partying doesn't mean as much to me anymore.. The cabin I'm living in was my Grandparents'. They were like my parents growing up. My real parents are money hungry and didn't even really want kids. I basically grew up in that cabin. After they passed.. I inherited it.. I just want to be happy.."
As much as she tried to avoid it, Roxy could feel the tears begin to slide down her cheeks.
Fuck. Now I look pathetic.
Mort leaned in and pulled her into a hug.
As much as I like this.. I can't..
Roxy pulled away from Mort and wiped the remaining tears from her face, "I'm sorry.."
Mort looked at her with confusion, "Why are you sorry? I asked and you explained.. That's a lot to go through and it's completely understandable to be upset."
Now he feels sorry for me.
That's the last thing I want.
I came here to get away from this bullshit and I just brought it all back to the surface.
Why did I open up so easily?
Get it together, Roxanne.
Roxanne stood up and composed herself.
"I should probably be getting home and getting to work.. Thank you for letting me, uhm, sleep on your couch."
I'm so fucking awkward.
Mort stood up as well, "I know it's no Holiday Inn, but you're welcome over whenever."
Roxanne cracked a small smile and nodded.
Fuck, I'm still wearing his clothes.. Where are mine?
Roxanne spotted her clothes piled up on a chair in the kitchen. She picked them up and frowned.
"Uhm.. I'll give these back next time I see you, if that's alright. My clothes are still completely soaked."
Mort smiled, "That's fine. That just means I'll get to see you again."
Why would you want to see me again? I just broke down like a psycho on your couch.
Roxanne slid her purse onto her shoulder and picked up the soaking wet pile of clothes.
"Well.. I'll bring these by one day this week."
"Thursday night is poker night for Chico and I, but other than that, I'm free."
Roxanne smiled, "Alright, I'll keep that in mind."
What do I do now?
A handshake? Pat on the back? Run out of here without a word?
Roxanne walked over to Mort and pulled him into a gentle hug.
"Thank you, again. I'll see you soon."
She pulled back and gave him a light kiss on the cheek before turning and walking out the front door.
That was against my better judgement..
I probably just completely scared off my only chance at a friend.
A million thoughts ran through Roxy's head as she drove her mud covered car back home.
Meanwhile, Mort stood in the doorway of his cabin, watching her drive down the road.
"You saw that Chico. SHE kissed ME. I'm the favorite now."
Chico looked at his owner lazily from the couch.
For the first time in a long while, Mort Rainey walked upstairs with a smile on his face.
He needed inspiration to finish this novel, and he believed he had finally found it.