Chapter 3
Astrid groaned and threw her hand out to silence the offending object that was her alarm. Only her blond locks stuck out of the blanket she was curled up in. It didn't last long as her alarm went off again. Another whack and Astrid sleepily wondered why she had made multiple alarms last night, it hit her then that she had a very important meeting with her editor today. It was likely about her new manuscript and Astrid scrambled out of her bed. Martin's side of the bed was already empty with him having gone out to work before the crack of dawn. She easily got ready and was mulling over what outfit to wear today. The publishing house wasn't far from their shared apartment. Astrid decided to go with the blue blouse and black business suit. The blazer accentuating her figure once buttoned. She grabbed her coat and purse and walked towards the bus stop.
The ride took no more than fifteen minutes. As Astrid got off she walked one more block before she was standing in front of the publishing company. Her first book had been a major success, her second had flown off the shelves. She had made guest appearances and even went on a book tour. That was where she met Martin actually. She thought he was handsome and took a gamble by writing her phone number on a card and inserting it into his book. Heather teased her about it and shouted "You go girl!" when he had called her back.
Mala had also been in the room, having just finished her shift at the hospital. She raised the glass of red wine she was mulling over at Astrid when she set up the date. Ruffnut was the one in the kitchen making dinner. She wouldn't let either Mala or Astrid close. Mala, because food tended to explode around her, and Astrid, because things tended to melt. She and her brother Tuffnut still couldn't figure out how the gazpacho Astrid made one night melted the metal spoon.
Astrid walked into the building and made her way to her editor's office. 'Mr. Bludvist' was on the door's nameplate that Astrid knocked on.
"Enter" Said a gruff voice from the other side. He looked up momentarily to see who it was, the wire-framed glasses slipping slightly from his face. "Astrid, sit." He said in an emotionless voice. "Do you know why you are here?"
"It's about my new book right Drago?" Astrid asked. Drago nodded and placed a thick manuscript on the table. He put his hand on it and said "It's a very good book. I personally enjoyed it."
"But….." Astrid asked. There was always going to be a but when Drago got like this.
"But it's unfortunately not what we wanted from you."
"EXCUSE ME!" Astrid exclaimed. She had spent seven months working on that manuscript. Drago had already told her during the first draft to make it more interesting and she did. What more could they want from her?!.
"Our PR department has looked into the possible figures for this book and they say that it won't sell well." Astrid started sputtering at the news. "It's a good book but not something this publishing house is looking for at the moment."
"So what now?!" Astrid growled. "I'm not going to redo my entire book just to pander to some PR people who think they know best!"
"They have advised me to let you go if that was the case." Drago told her as he crossed his arms. "If the story, even as good as it is, does not speak to the public then the sales will be low. We can't have authors bringing in no profits."
"So you're just going to let me go! Just like that!" Astrid angrily stood up. She grabbed her manuscript off of Drago's desk and shoved it into her purse. "Well screw you Drago!"
Drago let out a huff. "You wish!"
Astrid stopped and turned as a malicious smile broke out over her face. "Nah, I don't think so." She stated. "I mean even your wife is spending a lot, and I mean a lot, of time with that poolboy of yours." She winked. "Tell her I said hi and I'll buy her a Mimosa at your divorce!"
Astrid turned around and flipped her hair before opening the door and walking out of the office leaving a sputtering, stuttering, bug-eyed Drago behind.
Once out of the building she called Mala, who she knew had a day off today. The phone rang only once before Mala picked up. "Girl we need to talk. Cami's bar in a few?"
"Yeah I can make it." Mala said over the phone. "It's not like I have much of a social life here. Even my anesthesiologist has a hot date tonight it seems."
Astrid hung up and then made her way over to their favorite bar. The bartender and owner of the place, Camicazi, waved her over to an empty seat at the bar. Astrid was sipping her second Cosmopolitan when Mala came into the establishment. Astrid waved her over and tucked the tiny cocktail umbrella in her hair. "You will not believe what happened today!" She began as Camicazi wordlessly placed a Pina Colada in front of Mala. "Oh but before I get into that we'll be having some company. Hiccup texted me and he got in touch with his lawyer. They were in the neighbourhood and I invited them over here."
"So you inviting hubby now for drinks?" Mala joked.
"Hey the drinks are good, and with the morning I just had Cami might as well keep them coming."
"Riiight. I'll just keep you company then." Mala stated. "Who knows what you could get into."
Astrid scoffed. "I already got married. What else can happen?"
"What about in highschool when you had your first bottle of wine." Mala thought back. "We found you sleeping in a cop car with a sheep for a pillow."
Astrid flushed red as their all time favorite bartender let out a guffaw upon hearing that. "I want details soon!" Camicazi told both women before going back to serving her other clients.
"You just had to bring THAT up huh?" Astrid grumbled.
"Hey, it was you who had a deathgrip on that sheep." Mala shrugged and then her eyebrow rose when the door to the bar was opened. She leaned forward and whispered to Astrid "Hot redhead at six o'clock."
"I'm married and engaged at the same time Mala. I doubt we need to add polyandry to my repertoire as I might have bigamy on my list soon too."
"Well aren't you just the nuptial nomenclature." She then laughed at Astrid's affronted look. "Well hot redhead just walked in with hubby." Mala stated. This did cause Astrid to glance over her shoulder. She caught Hiccup's eye and waved them over.
"Why Hello Milady." Hiccup greeted. "Nice to see you again Mala." Both women greeted him back. "This is Dagur, my lawyer."
"Why hello there gorgeous." Dagur said as he bent down to kiss Mala's hand causing her to giggle. "Such a pleasure to meet such an exquisite flower." More giggling ensued. Astrid raised a brow as this was more giggles she had heard out of the woman since she'd known her.
"Shall we get a table?" She asked the guys.
"Sorry, we can't stay long. I have a shift in an hour." Hiccup told her. "But I'm sure Dagur wouldn't mind….. staying…. a bit longer." Hiccup drew out the sentence and elbowed the man next to him who was gazing at Mala like cupid had struck him several times in the behind with those love arrows.
"About the thing we discussed?" Astrid asked as she pinched Mala who was most likely undressing Dagur with her eyes.
"Not to worry. I just need to file the annulment petition at the courthouse later today. The problem is waiting for a free judge. We should have a date in two weeks time." Dagur assured her.
"Right" She said. That wouldn't be too bad her mind supplied. She'd be a single woman again two weeks before her wedding. "Mala why don't you and Dagur go… talk…. Maybe at lunch?" Astrid suggested. Dagur smiled and held out his arm for Mala to take. "So tell me about yourself." He questioned as they walked away, leaving Hiccup and Astrid to look at them go.
"Damn, he's got it bad." Hiccup mumbled and then turned back to Astrid who was in agreement with him. "So what brings you out to a bar just after noon?"
"Hey, it's five o'clock somewhere." Astrid mumbled. "And I just had the most horrible meeting with my editor."
"Right, you mentioned that you had a new book coming out."
"Nothing is coming out." Astrid grumbled. "They refuse to publish it because according to the PR department it's a great story but won't appeal to the masses."
"Seems like they don't know a good book when they see it."
"I might be a published writer but right now I'm an unemployed published writer. If this book ever wants to see the light of day then I need to find a new publishing house and that could take forever." Astrid sighed. She really hated having to go through all the red tape.
"You know, I know someone who works in the publishing business. Want me to slip them a copy of your manuscript?" Hiccup told her.
"You'd do that?" Astrid asked sounding a bit hopeful.
"Of course." he smiled. "In fact, why don't you join me this weekend for dinner. You can bring your manuscript along."
Astrid raised a brow in confusion. "You're having dinner with this person?"
"Of course. Shall I pick you up at seven Saturday?"
"I have nothing planned then." Astrid told him. "I'd love to go to dinner." Her phone chose that moment to ring. Hiccup excused himself as he had to get to work.
"Hello?" Astrid answered.
"Hello darling." Came from the other side of the phone. "Are you free tonight? Mother made some reservations at Chez Forge. You know that five star restaurant in town?" Astrid wanted to groan. Dinner with her fiance was a yes, dinner with her fiance and his mother…. Let's just say Astrid would have preferred to face off against an angry bull, grab it by the horns, and give it a kiss, than argue with Julia.
"I'd love to." Astrid managed to get out. "I was thinking of wearing that blue dress I bought with Heather." There was a pause on the other end of the line and then Martin said "Eh… honey, maybe you should wear the black one."
"You don't like the blue one?" She asked.
"No no. That's not it sweetheart. I love it. It's just too gorgeous to wear to just a restaurant."
"Uh… sure. I'll wear the black one." Astrid told him, frowning a bit. "I'll see you later honey." They said their goodbyes and Astrid hung up. She turned around to see Camicazi watching her.
"So which hottie will you choose?" Camicazi asked as she leaned on her elbow.
"Oh shut it Cami." Astrid grumbled.
"Alright alright, but I still want to know about that whole sheep thing." She grinned as Astrid glared at her.