"You knew she was that way. It's not that surprising she said those things about me."
"The girl barely knows you. Why would she attack you like that?"
"Because she wants Nash. And he won't go out with her."
"Katie's engaged."
"She is? I didn't know she was engaged." I shrug. "Well, apparently that doesn't matter. She still wants Nash."
He huffs. "Now I think even less of her."
"I need to get back to work." I tighten the apron around my waist, then pick up the rolling pin.
Lou remains next to me. "What did Nash say when she told him this?"
"I don't know. I got up and left."
"Lou?" Peggy, the lunch waitress, comes into the kitchen. "There's a guy out here who wants to talk to you about ordering pastries for an office party."
"Tell him I'll be right there," he says. She nods and goes back to the dining room. "You going to be okay?"
"Yeah." I slide the rolling pin over the cookie dough. "Sorry I cried at work. That's unprofessional."
"It's understandable after what she did." He sounds angry.
"Lou, please don't do anything you'll regret. Just forget I ever told you. I don't want her or her dad coming after you."
I take the flower-shaped cookie cutters and set them by the dough. I'm making sugar cookies that someone ordered for a bridal shower. "You better go talk to that guy out front," I say as I press the cookie cutter in the dough."
Lou just stands there. I look over at him and see his eyes are on my work area.
"What's wrong?" I ask.
His lips turn up just slightly. "Nothing."
I look back at the counter and almost gasp when I see the lack of order. The baking sheets aren't lined up. They're stacked on top of each other but they're skewed every which way, and there are five of them, rather than an even number. On the other side of me is the bowl of dough. Just one bowl. And just one rolling pin. How did I not notice this when I was setting everything up? And why don't I feel anxious seeing it this way?
"I um..." I don't even know what to say. I feel like I should explain this, more to myself than to Lou, but I couldn't explain it even if I tried. I don't understand it. How long have I been doing this? Lou just noticed it so maybe this is the first time. But now that I think about it, I haven't counted anything all day.
"So other than Katie," Lou says, breaking the uncomfortable silence, "it sounds like you had a nice weekend. Even did some entertaining. That's good, Callie." He smiles like he's proud of me for being social. I know he means well, but his comment just proves that he thinks I'm not normal. A normal 21-year-old wouldn't be praised for having friends over.
But honestly, he's right. It's a pretty big deal that I did that. That I had people over. And today? I didn't obsess over having everything a certain way. And I'm okay with that. So what does that mean? Am I getting better? Am I finally moving on?
"Lou." Peggy appears again. "That guy's still out here waiting."
"Yes, I'm coming."
He goes out to meet with the customer and I get back to work, leaving everything as is. Now that I see it this way, I have an urge to make things straight and even, but I fight it, and in doing so, I feel stronger and somewhat hopeful. But that hope is quickly dampened when I think about Katie and what she said. Nash never even asked me about that. Maybe he didn't believe her. He knows she lies, but he's also seen me act crazy plenty of times, so I really don't know what he thinks of me.
Later, as I'm getting ready to leave for the day, Lou comes up to me. "How about coming over for dinner tonight? I'm making fried catfish. Bring Nash over. I'd like to get to know him better."
"Lou, you don't have to worry about Nash. He's a nice guy. And I'm not dating him."
"I'd still like to have you two over for dinner."
"Maybe some other time. I have all this leftover spaghetti to eat up. I made a huge amount because Nash and his brothers eat like they'll never see another meal."
"You cooked for them?" There's that proud smile again, but then Lou fakes a frown. "You never cook for me."
I smile and pat his shoulder. "Someday I will. I promise. Night, Lou."
"See ya, Callie."
When I get to Nash's house, I find him in the kitchen next to some giant boxes.
"What's all this?"
"Hey." He smiles and I feel a flutter in my stomach. A light happy flutter. "These are the cabinets. You want to see?"
"Yeah. You need some help getting them out?"
"No, I got it." He takes a box cutter and slides it down each corner seam of the box, causing the sides to fall back, revealing the cabinet. It's stained a warm honey color that's light enough that the dark wood knots show through.
"What do you think?" he asks.
"I like it. It's got a rustic feel, like a cabin. It's perfect for this house."
"I thought so too. I didn't want anything too fancy. I was going for a cabin feel. That's why I picked these."
"How long before you install them?"
"Probably a week or two. I might have to get one of my brothers down here to help." He comes over to me, placing his arms around my waist, and I feel that fluttering again. "How was work?"