Chapter 3

"David, don't you dare."

"Alexis, your apartment is tiny. You cannot possibly think all three of us will fit."

"Of course we will, David. Besides, you are not coming all the way to New York just to stay in a hotel room. I'll never see you!"

"Fine. But if it gets too crowded, you're staying at Jack's."

"You are cruel, David."

"You know you love me."

"Ugh, fine. But I'm limiting you to one suitcase or else we won't be able to walk around all your stuff."

"Ha-ha, Alexis. All right, well, an unfortunate group of teens looks like it's about to grace my store with its presence, so I've got to go."

"Okay. See you in two weeks!"

"Byeeee."

"Bye, David!"

Alexis hit the end call button on her phone and leaned back in her desk chair, swiveling it gentle from side to side as she looked up at the ceiling.

She let out a long sigh and jiggled the mouse on her desk until her monitor screen lit up with the password screen.

Alexis let her eyes scan across the open spreadsheet - a list of all the open client accounts Rose & Co. had to date - then pulled up the next window - her spreadsheet of annual business expenses. She stared blankly at her screen while flipping between the two spreadsheets for several full minutes before she put her head down in her hands in exasperation. The answer she was looking for was not coming. Meanwhile, her email inbox ting-ed several times, announcing the arrival of new business inquiries, employee questions, and more.

She picked up her phone again and dialed.

"—Hello?"

"Jack? Hey!"

"Alexis? Is everything okay?"

"Everything's okay. I just… I need some advice."

"Oh. Okay, hey give me a minute. I'm going to step outside."

…

"Hello? Okay. Hit me."

"Jack, I can't decide if I should put an offer in on this office space or not."

"Heyyy chickadee. First off, take a deep breath. What's the problem?"

"Well, I want a physical office, right? I have two employees right now who are working on their own and I'm currently calling you from my living room… Not a great work environment to begin with. But I also think we need a space of our own for credibility. People keep calling me with new business inquiries asking if they can come in for a consultation and I have to meet them in a coffee shop. It's not a good look for us."

"You're right. Sounds like you need an office."

"But the rent is so expensive and I'm worried I'm going to have to start paying another employee soon."

"Because you're growing."

"Because we're growing, right. I'm getting calls for new work every other day."

"So you're going to be bringing in more money soon."

"Yes."

"So you can hire an employee and rent an office space."

"Well, probably. But there are so many variables that it becomes hard to predict where we'll be in six months."

"Well that's fair. Tell you what, why don't we run the numbers together when I'm off work. Want to come over to my place tonight?"

"Honestly, Jack, that would be great. I don't want to make this decision alone. I'm just like… really wishing I had gone to business school right now."

"That's what I'm here for, babe. Why don't you come by at 7? We'll get takeout."

"Okay, yeah. That sounds good."

"But Alexis?"

"Yeah?"

"Make your decisions based on your business prospects. Don't let being scared hold you back."

Alexis took a deep breath in. "Thanks, Jack."

She clicked off her phone and opened her inbox.

— — —

Ted was on his third straight hour of a research grant application when he heard a soft rap-rap-rap at the doorway. He shook his head and looked up.

"Alexis?" He asked, startled. He noticed she was wearing this pair of sharp looking office pants with a flowing emerald green top and wondered how she managed to look both professional and stylish at the same time. He tried to remember quickly what he had put on today but his mind was blank.

"Hey, Ted!"

"Alexis, what are you doing here?"

"I'm meeting with Ruth. And, well, sorry to bother you, but I was actually hoping you could join us? We're almost finished for the day but she seems a little overwhelmed right now and I thought it might be helpful have another lab mate on deck."

"Oh, uh, sure. Give me one second." Alexis stepped into the hall while Ted grabbed his water bottle and notebook off the desk and stepped out to join her. She motioned for him to hurry up and she paced rapidly down the corridor.

"Alexis I don't think I've seen you in my lab before. It's funny to see you here."

"Oh really?" She smirked. "What does that mean?"

"Nothing, just that it feels like two very different parts of my life just collided."

"Hmm."

They stepped around the corner and into a small meeting nook where Ruth was set up with a couple of laptops and a paper coffee cup.

"Ted! Are you joining us?"

"He is, Ruth," said Alexis, sliding back into her chair. "I saw him in the corridor just now and thought he'd be able to help us."

"Really? And you knew Ted would be the man for the job."

"I did. I think he's secretly interested in what we're cooking up in here, anyway."

"Yes, Ted, please sit down. We were just finishing up but truthfully I'm glad to see you. We could honestly use you help."

"Happy to help, Ruth. Alexis tells me you have a new department in the works but I haven't heard details out of either one of you yet."

"That's right. Can… can you remind me again of how you two know one another?"

"Well—" Alexis stammered.

"We lived in the same small town a few years back," Ted cut in. "It was… a really small place. You know, where I was working as a vet? We met around town and became friends."

"A great coincidence," Ruth nodded. "Well, okay, Ted. Here's the story. We're launching this new department next semester, but we're presenting it to the faculty board in about a week and a half and there's a lot to do. Alexis has been working on getting us some public attention and will be talking about potential donors and events. I'll be talking them through the details of the new program, but I'm still working out some of the nuances of the lab structure and goals. Would you be willing to help me on that part by doing a little research?"

"Of course, Ruth. I told you I wanted in on whatever you were working on."

"And honestly, Ted, I think you have the right background to bring to this endeavor. Well listen, I need to run to another meeting for now, but Ted I'll stop by your office in the morning to introduce you to the project, okay?"

"Sounds great, Ruth."

"All right, I'll leave you two to it. Alexis, I'll see you next week."

'Bye, Ruth!" Alexis reached to unplug her laptop from the desktop charging port and slipped the coiled wire into her purse.

Ted leaned back in his seat. "That was a whirlwind."

"Eep I hope I didn't just sign you up for something you don't want to do, Ted."

"No, not at all. Don't worry, Alexis. I had been meaning to ask Ruth what she's been up to, anyway. Thanks for thinking to pull me into this."

"Yeah, obviously, Ted. Anyway, I have a call with a property manager in ten minutes so I should probably run."

"Uh oh, moving apartments?"

"No, ugh I wish. I'm actually trying to rent some office space for my business. It's a long story."

"Wow, Alexis! That's amazing. Okay, I won't keep you, but I'd love to hear more about that some time soon."

"Yeah of course, Ted. I'll see you next week?" She pulled her blazer off the arm of her chair and made a movement in the general direction of the door.

"Actually, Alexis, I have a weird favor to ask you since you're here."

"Uhm… Okay, Ted?"

"Well, not that weird. It's my summer soccer league. A whole group of us from the lab play on weekends, but one of the girls on my team is sick and we forfeit if we don't have at least two girls on each team. Now that you're on the university payroll… any chance you want to play on Saturday?"

"Ha! Well… I guess I am a member of the lab now, huh?"

"I think so. Close enough, anyway."

"Well okay, Ted. Jack is out of town this weekend so I'm actually pretty free. I'll come kick the ball around with you guys."

"Yes! Alexis, you've just made my team very happy. I'll text you the details?"

"Sounds like a plan, Ted."

— — —

Ted lay sprawled on his back under his gray bedsheet, Margo's head resting on his chest as it rose up and down.

"You're breathing hard," she spoke into his sternum and he felt her hot breath on his skin.

"You don't say," he laughed. "Could be because you gave me a run for my money there, miss."

Margo turned her head to look up at him, smiling, and uttered a satisfied "mmfphh."

They lay in silence long enough for Ted to start to drift off, but the sound of Margo's voice grounded him.

"Ted?"

"Mm?" His eyes blinked back awake.

"What's up, M?"

"Uhm… do you think I'm like the other girls you've dated? I want you to tell me about them."

"Oh."

"I know that might sound weird. But, you know, we've been seeing each other for a while now and I want to know more about you. You never talk about your past girlfriends."

"Uhm, well…" Ted sat up against his headboard and ran his hands through his hair.

"Is it okay that I ask?"

"Yeah, yeah, it's okay Margo. You just caught me by surprise. To be honest since I got to the city there hasn't really been anyone special. I've, well, I've seen a lot of girls in the last few years if you want the truth. Mostly casual stuff. A few dates — you know."

Margo cocked her head to the side and nodded as she scooted up to sit beside him. "Really?"

"Yeah. Uhm… what about you?"

"Well it's been a while since I dated anyone, actually. Like almost a year? But before you it was this guy Ben. He was from Seattle and had an insurance job. He was really sweet to me — really loyal — but I guess I got kind of bored with him. He didn't challenge me. He wanted to get married and I told him I wasn't ready. It was kind of a rough breakup."

"Huh."

"I guess that's why I like you, Ted. You're ambitious, active, always working on something cool. I admire that about you."

Ted looked at her, flattered and caught off guard by her candidness. "That's really sweet, M. Thanks."

"So what about before New York? Was there ever anyone serious for you?"

"Uhh… yeah. I was engaged once, actually. I guess I should have told you that."

"Oh, wow, Ted. I didn't know that. But that's okay. How long ago?"

"Years, at this point. It was way back a few years before my Galapagos trip. To a girl in the small town where I was living."

"What happened?"

"It just… wasn't a good match at the time? We weren't ready for each other back then, I guess. She wound up breaking it off, but it was probably the right move back then."

"Oh wow that must have been hard."

"It was, but it was so long ago. I don't have any hard feelings about it now."

"Hmm. So can I ask you another question then?"

"Yeah, okay. Shoot."

"What's stopped you from dating people more seriously here?"

He wrinkled his brow in response. "That's a good question, honestly. I guess it's a couple things. Work is always busy and it's been hard to make time for dating sometimes. But also in the past I haven't really met anyone special."

"Well what would be special to you?"

Ted took a long breath and nodded to himself for a few moments. "Well… someone… strong?"

"Strong?" Margo laughed and pulled the covers a little closer to her shoulders.

"Ha, I mean… sorry I realize that sounds funny. I guess what I mean is someone who is very sure of herself. Someone brave who values her own needs and isn't afraid to go after what she wants. I think that would be really special to me. Does that make sense?"

"Yeah," Margo said, grinning.

"What are you smiling at?" He asked as she crawled closer to him under the sheets.

"Nothing," she said, climbing gingerly on top of him and placing her hands on his shoulders. "It's just that it sounds a little like me."

"Oh is that right?" Ted smirked.

"That's right," she said. "I'd like to think I'm the kind of girl who's not afraid to go after what she wants. And you know what I want?"

"Hmm?" Ted mumbled as Margo leaned in to kiss him deeply.

— — —

"Goooooo Alexissssss!" Ava shouted from the edge of the field, jumping up and down with excitement as her female teammate made a stellar assist to Collin, who scored a goal for the lab's team.

"Ted, I love this girl!" She exclaimed. "Did you know she was a soccer star?" She continued to bounce from leg to leg, silhouetted by the setting sun over the East River pier.

Ted rubbed the back of his neck, laughing. "Uh… well I knew she could run, but not like this."

"Well way to go getting her on the team tonight. We need this energy. I do not want to lose to the environmental engineers again."

"You and me both, Aves. Happy to hel— GOOOOOOOOO! GO! GO! RUN!" He yelled out the the ensuing action. "YES!"

The team began to stall to protect their lead as the final minutes of the half ticked down.

"Hey Ted," said Joshua, another labmate, as he stepped up to the sidelines. "How's it going?"

"Good, Josh, good. Looks like we might actually take this."

"I know, man. Looking good out there. Hey listen, I don't mean to be weird here, but is that your girl out there?"

"Alexis?"

"Yeah."

"Oh, uh, no. I mean she's here with me, but she's just an old friend of mine. Why — what's up? She's not a lab assistant but I swear she's doing work with us so this is above board…" Ted rambled as he watched the clock. "Come on, Collin! You got this!"

"No, Ted, it's cool. Actually I was going to ask if it was cool if I ask her out. She's, well, she's super hot."

Ted drew his eyes away from the field. "You want to ask Alexis out?"

"Well, yeah. If that's cool with you."

"Uh actually, Josh, she's got a boyfriend."

"Oh that's too bad. You think it's serious?"

"Serious? Uhm, yeah. Honestly Josh I wouldn't go messing around there. I really don't think she's looking."

"Ah, too bad. Thanks for the info."

"And anyway you're really not her type."

"Okay, Ted. I get the picture."

"Uh— sorry, Josh. I guess the short answer is it's probably not worth your time. Didn't mean to be harsh."

"No worries, man. Anyway, you guys coming out to grab some pizza after this?"

"Maybe. Let me see what Alexis wants to do."

"All right." Josh shrugged and walked away.

Ted looked back to the field to see the game was ending in 3… 2… 1…

A collective roar erupted from the lab's side of the field, and Ava made her highest jump yet, fist pumping into the air.

"We did it!" Called Alexis as she ran off the field towards Ted, wiping her brow as she reached the sideline.

Ted pulled her into an enthusiastic hug, "Alexis! You were amazing!"

She laughed and pulled away. "Gross, Ted! I'm all sweaty," but she grinned a winning smile at him and continued, "I was pretty good out there, right?"

"So good, Alexis."

She grabbed her water bottle and the sidelines devolved into a buzzy chatter.

"Hey Alexis, are you hungry? Some of the team is going to grab pizza up the hill."

"Uhh…" Alexis thought. "I don't know. What were you going to do?"

"Well truthfully I'm pretty tired and need to lug these boxes of team jerseys and balls home… I uh, signed up to be team captain so I'm responsible for the gear. I don't really feel like carrying them all around the Brooklyn restaurant scene."

"Totally. Why don't I help you carry them home and go from there? Where's your place?"

"Uhh, maybe ten minutes east of here? I don't want to take you out of your way."

"That's right by the train so that's perfect." She said, raising an eyebrow when Ted didn't respond. "Is that okay?"

"Oh, uh, yeah. Actually that's great. Let me just tell the team and we can head out."

Ted and Alexis walked slowly in silence up the hill from the pier, carrying boxes as the sun sunk lower in the evening sky.

"You okay? We're almost there, I swear."

"Totally fine. Actually I was thinking I really like this neighborhood. It's quiet — peaceful."

"Yeah," Ted smiled. "It's a little sleepy sometimes. But mostly I like how laid back it is."

"It's nice."

"This is me, actually." Ted nodded up at one of many brownstones on the block, then set his box down on the stoop to dig out his keys.

"Aww, Ted! This is so cute."

"I've got the boxes from here if you need to take off, but you're welcome to come up."

"I'll come up if you don't mind! I want to see your place!"

"Of course, Alexis," he said, holding the door open for her to pass by. "It's the third floor. I'll follow you."

Once upstairs they pushed the boxes neatly in a stack near the front closet, then he motioned Alexis into the kitchen.

"Thirsty?" He asked.

"Parched," she said, sliding into one of the barstools along his kitchen counter.

"Hey, Alexis, thanks for coming out with my friends today. I really had a great time, and I hope you did too," he said, reaching into the fridge for a pitcher of water and pouring two glasses. He leaned across the kitchen island and handed her one. She held the glass up to the light and turned it once or twice before taking a sip.

"Oh, sorry. Is the glass dirty?"

"No," she laughed. "I was admiring it. You've got good taste in glassware, Ted."

Ted smiled, glancing down at his own glass. "Thanks." He paused. "Hey, can I get you anything else to drink? Beating the environmental engineering team is cause for celebration in my book. I've got a couple of beers in the fridge if you want to kick back a little."

"Uh," she started, clearly unsure how to respond. "You know what? That actually sounds great. What's on tap?"

"You know, I've got to admit I'm not a huge fan of the Brooklyn beer scene. I've just got these," he motioned to the bottles he was pulling out from the back of his very clean fridge. "They're actually from a brewery not that far from Schitt's Creek."

He passed her a bottle and she glanced at the label. "You're kidding!" Alexis laughed. "Twyla and I used to drink these at her place sometimes after she'd gotten off a shift at the cafe. Actually I like this one."

Ted strode evenly over to the couch and settled himself in the corner. Alexis joined him, taking the seat next to his, pulling her knees up and tucking her ankles to the side, then turning eagerly to face Ted.

"Cheers," she said, tapping the neck of her bottle to his.

"Cheers."

"Wow, so Ted, this is your Brooklyn apartment. I'm impressed." Alexis looked around, grinning. Ted couldn't tell if she was admiring the place or just teasing him.

"Well, the rent doesn't get you quite as far here as it does in the rural midwest, so I had to downsize a bit. But I've done my best."

"No, really, it looks great, Ted. You've got this kind of classic homey feel going on with just a little bit of urban edge. It… well, it looks like you," she patted the top of his hand as she said it, then took another swig from her bottle.

"Well clearly my goals of mystery and sex appeal are not working out for me. I don't know if I'm flattered or if you've just crushed my self esteem by so quickly distilling my 'vibe.'"

"Ha-ha, Ted. So mysterious."

Ted let his eyes settle nonchalantly on the console table across the room, but he could see Alexis clearly in his peripheral vision.

"So, are you going to take that office?"

"I don't know." She set down her beer on the coffee table and rested her hands in her lap.

"What is your decision hinging on?"

"Well… it's a really nice space. It's also really expensive, but I think we'll be able to afford it. I just am not sure it feels like Rose & Co."

"In what way?"

"It's a little cold, and it's too many floors above the street. It's objectively nice but I think it is lacking some creative energy."

"Well maybe that's what you bring to it."

"Hmm…" she said, considering his words. "Maybe, but I think we could start with a better canvas."

"Well, that's a good point. In that case, sounds like you should walk on it."

"Jack really thinks I should take it. It's right in Flatiron, great location, and it's available now. We could start working there within weeks. Having a physical address would open some other doors for business."

"Well that's a good point, too. Personally, though, I don't understand what the rush is. I think you should follow your instinct and get whatever spot can stand up to Rose & Co's personality."

"Ha! Ted, thanks. I appreciate you listening to this. Work has been stressful lately. Exciting, but stressful."

"Well then let's pick a different topic."

"Okay…" Alexis grinned widely at him, "tell me about this girl you're seeing."

"What? Alexis, how do you know if I am seeing someone or not?" Ted stood and took a step towards the kitchen. "Also do you want another beer? I'm going to grab one."

"Uhh, sure," she said, following him to the counter, "but don't deflect. Who is she?"

"Well, I guess I'm sort of seeing this girl named Margo…"

"Cute name! Say more." He bent the lid off one beer and handed it to her.

"Alexis how did you know I —"

"There's a floral umbrella sitting by your door."

"Huh?" Ted's eyes flicked to the entryway. "I guess she must have left it last time she was here."

"Uh huh," Alexis nodded, walking around the corner and pointing her beer bottle at Ted's chest as if to emphasize her argument. "And she wants to see you again."

"What are you talking about, Alexis?" He placed his hand on top of her beer bottle and pushed it out of his way, stepping back towards the couch.

"She left her umbrella here. Come on, that's so classic." Ted raised an eyebrow. "So she has an excuse to see you again?"

"Huh, is that really a thing?"

"It's definitely a thing, Ted." Alexis rolled her eyes.

"Well fine. She didn't need to, though. I was probably planning on calling her again anyway."

"Ted, look at you!" She poked his arm playfully. "Turning women away."

"Alexis…" he rolled his eyes.

"I'm not surprised, Ted," she said, raising her eyebrows at him. "Elite university job, strong handsome guy, cool Brooklyn apartment—"

"Alexis, are you flirting with me?"

Alexis cocked her head, mouth still ajar from the joke she was about to tell. "Ted, that's not—"

"No, Alexis, don't worry. I was just teasing you."

"Sorry, Ted, I wasn't trying to flirt with you." She dropped her gaze to the floor table and her arms back to her sides.

"It's okay, Alexis, really. Sorry I said anything. It was honestly a joke."

"Okay, no, no, it's fine." She set her mostly full beer down on the counter. "Sorry if that was a weird topic or if you misinterpreted. I'm, uhm— I'm really committed to Jack, Ted. Things are really good, and I don't want you thinking I'm over here for any… nefarious reasons."

"Hey Alexis — wait. I definitely don't think that. It was a dumb joke. Really — it's no big deal." He took a deep breath to collect his thoughts and stepped closer to her. "Uhm… how about this? Let's just take a deep breath. I'll grab us some snacks from the kitchen and you can tell me some of David's horror stories from the Apothecary."

"Sorry Ted. I didn't mean to accuse you or make that weird. I just.. uhm." She crossed her arms and scowled. "Your plan sounds fun but honestly I think I should get going. It's getting late and I want to get home before dark. Raincheck?"

"Oh." Ted's shoulders dropped, defeated. "Sure, Alexis. I'll grab your sweatshirt."

In the doorway Alexis raised both shoulders in a little shrug. "I really appreciate you inviting me over. I like your place."

"Thanks, Alexis."

"See you next week, Ted?"

"Yeah, next week. Enjoy the rest of your weekend."

She smiled weakly and turned down the stairs. Ted shut the door behind her and leaned against the wall. He set his head in his hands, wondering how a couple harmless jokes and a little misunderstanding had seemed to set his whole body on fire.