"Knock, knock! Goood mooorning, Boss!"
"Good morning, Ted!" – Rebecca greeted him while making herself what seemed like a ginormous cup of coffee. – "You're awfully chipper this morning. Care to share what got you into this good mood? I could use some cheering up myself."
Taking a sip from her cup of Joe, she slumped down in her chair.
"Nothing special, just glad to be back after the long weekend. Well, I never! Am I in an alternate universe where you finally came to your senses and realized that tea takes like garbage? Seriously, did something happen? Hope I don't offend you; you seem knackered."
In a strange way she seemed flustered by the question.
"Ah, I just had a rough night, haven't slept a wink. I guess I have a lot on my mind…
… with Rupert, Nate and the whole debacle." - she quickly added after a few beats.
"On the top of everything my mother showed up this morning, so now I have an extremely annoying house guest for a few days. – she said pulling a face."
"Ah, yes, Deborah. She's a tough cookie, or biscuit should I say. When in Rome… Speaking about biscuits, here are yours."
He fished out the usual small rose-coloured box out of his backpack.
"You're a godsend, Coach Lasso. Hhm, absolutely fucking delicious! Is it sad that you've made my day with these masterpieces?"
"Your secret is safe with me. Glad to bring you some joy, no matter how small. But you really should cut yourself some slack. Don't worry, everything will be alright. One way or another." – when she gave him a blank stare, he clarified- "You know, with Rupert and Nate…"
"Oh, yes, them... Don't worry about it, Ted. It's not about you nor the team. I have absolute fate in your abilities. This was all about me and my fears and insecurities. Sometimes it's not that easy to deal with them." – she said letting out a big sigh- "Thankfully, with you in my life, I became better at handling them, but I still have my weak moments."
"Who hasn't? Listen, Boss, … Rebecca! I hope you know that you are a brave woman, I have seen it firsthand. The way you handle Rupert for example, after all the shit he pulled with you, is incredible… The fact that I'm still here, in Richmond, is also a proof of your bravery. Hell, I'm coaching soccer, in England. Without a single knowledge of the sport itself."
"Oh, football and winning."- she said with a chuckle – "There are more important things, like friendship and bravery and ..."
"Did you just quote the cleverest witch of our age, aka Miss Hermione Granger to me? Who would've thought you were a fan, Miss Welton?!"
"I'm partial to a good piece of fiction and it was Nora's favourite bedtime story. And to anticipate your question, yes, Ted, she's my favourite character."
"No wonder, you are quite alike." – he uttered without really thinking.
"You mean opinionated and bossy?! Choose your next words wisely, Coach Lasso!" -she said with a smirk, wagging her fingers at him.
Feeling baffled by his own comment, he added, meanwhile trying to rationalize his feelings:
"I meant more like, because you're both crazy smart, fiercely loyal, … and beautiful."
Rebecca responded to Ted's unusual comment with a pensive smile:
"I don't remember Hermione being famous for her beauty."
"Then, I guess you don't have that in common." - he responded with a blush colouring his cheeks.
"If you say so." - she said solemnly, clearly touched by his words.
After a few seconds of silence which seemed like eternity to Ted, he couldn't take it anymore and jumped to his feet, then started to rattle away, much to Rebecca's amusement.
"Look at the time, I'll be out of your hair in a sec. Roy must be out of breath by now shouting 'Whistle' over and over again. I should probably get to practice." - he gave Rebecca a look of concern- "If you can, go home and rest. I don't want my favourite boss to be exhausted and suffering through the day. By tomorrow you'll be bursting with so much energy that you could set the world on fire, not to mention Rupert's plans."
"Don't put ideas in my head. It seems dangerous to be thinking about Rupert and fire. Although, did you know, once, I was toying with the idea of setting fire to his whole wardrobe after our divorce?!"
Instead of the anticipated laugh, all she got was furrowed eyebrows and stormy eyes.
"Let's not go there, Boss. Don't get me wrong, I'd be happy to hear about your stories until the cows come home, but not about how he made your life a living hell."
"Say no more. But don't worry about it, let bygones be bygones. It's all water under the bridge. I'm turning over a new leaf. These are my recent mottoes. You see I can take a leaf out of your book and have a can-do, positive attitude." – she told him with shy smile, embarrassed by her newfound positivity.
"Hhm…"-he chuckled, shaking his head- "Between you and me, he really screwed it up. Taking you for granted, only a fool would do that."
As he turned to leave, she called out his name.
"Yes?"
"By the way, you're wrong, for once."
Despite her light tone he could sense the air shifting and the seriousness of the moment hit him. She was allowing him a glimpse into her soul, to hell with pretences. These were the moments he cherished during Biscuits with the Boss.
"I'm not brave. But I've come to my senses and I'm working on it. However, I tell you what, I am proud to say that I'm courageous. It took me awhile to get to this point, but I'm finally able to face some of my fears. If I can persevere, I will consider myself brave one day. And with bravery comes happiness. So, that's my plan, Ted, to be happy. I won't settle for less, not anymore. You get what I'm trying to say?" – she asked scoffing at herself, shutting her eyes for a moment, then looking directly into his.
"You deserve no less, Rebecca. Just know that come what may I'll be next to you every step of the way if you need me."
"Thank you, Ted. I have no doubt."
She added with a twinkle in her eyes:
"No doubt, you are my knight in shining armour."
After he left whistling, she whispered:
"Just be patient with me until I pluck up the courage to tell you about my feelings."
Quickly packing up her things, she left the building and went home to get some sleep.
After all, Rebecca thought to herself: 'Who could have slept last night after realizing that they are head over heels in love with their gaffer?'