“Remind me why I haven’t fired the entire HR department?” Nancy asked, shaking her head as she entered her office. Maurice looked up from her conference table where he was arranging design tiles.

“Too expensive and time-consuming to rebrand and retrain new cattle?” She grunted, taking her place beside him. “Mr. Avalos called,” Maurice continued. “Said he’ll be available for next week if you’re still willing.” Maurice picked up two tiles with vastly different designs. Nancy examined them before pointing to the left one.

“His next lesson’s going to be in backbone,” she said, grabbing another two tiles and walking around the table as she contemplated them. “He’ll be eaten alive if he doesn’t stand firm for something. I can show him strategy, but he has to want it. All this ‘if you’re willing’ is going to make him seem weak or that he doesn’t value his own time.” She dropped one tile back in the group before tossing the other into the garbage.

Tapping her nails on the table, Nancy scanned the tiles before sliding several out of the menagerie. She then singled out a pair and did another circuit around the table before making her selection.

“Not that one,” Maurice pointed to the one she picked.

“Why not?”

“It works better than the other, but you’ll hate it later. Just pitch it now.” Nancy squinted at him and shook her head.

“It stays,” she said as he shrugged and held up his hands. She picked up two more tiles and started another lap of the table as she made her selection. Maurice watched her repeat this process several more times before he spoke up.

“You’re erratic,” he said, standing up straight and shaking his head.

“What do you mean?” she asked, running her hand over the tiles.

“You’re like a little kid on a bunch of sugar. You haven’t changed to exercise in a while,” said raising an eyebrow at her. “When was the last time you ran?”

“Almost a month,” she said, picking up two more tiles. Maurice was about to comment on them when Nancy began another lap. She made the loop, discarded one, and scanned the pile again before looking up to him. Maurice started at her, his head cocked to the side. “What?” she asked with a chuckle as she grabbed two more tiles and started another lap.

“You zigzagged around the room as we were looking at the proposals yesterday. Today, you walked down to yell at HR instead of calling. And now, you’re doing laps around the table. You know you need an outlet.”

Nancy laughed. “It’s not that bad.”

“It is! You can’t keep still and it’s driving me crazy! You need to go run or get laid or something!”

Nancy froze mid-step. Maurice could feel the heat from her gaze before she had turned to face him.

“What did you say?” she asked in a cool tone that was opposite the fire coming from her eyes. Maurice held up his hands and opened his mouth, but his words caught in his mouth when she pointed at him. “Choose your next words VERY carefully.”

He closed his mouth slowly and exhaled. “I’m sorry,” he said, still holding his hands up. “I crossed the line, but I’m concerned.”

“You don’t need to be.”

“I disagree,” he said, mouth dropping at her statement. “Why did you hire me?"

“Because I needed an assistant.”

“Yes, but why did you pick me?”

“You were the most qualified.”

“No, I wasn’t.”

“Excuse you,” she said, her eyes burning brighter.

“I had a graphic design degree, and I didn’t come from some pedigree family like the other applicants. But I didn’t buckle when you pressed me. You choose me over those kiss ass applicants who cowered and told you what you wanted to hear. Why? Because I realized you were being mean because you wanted a reaction. And now it’s been ten years and I’ve learned to know what you need before you want it. Am I right?” Nancy's posture relaxed, but her gaze still bore through him.

“You are,” she said before pointing at him. “But you will not speak to me like that.”

“You’re right,” he agreed, nodding. “Again, I’m sorry, but I stand by my very poorly phrased suggestion.”

“Well, it’s not happening,” she said, looking back at the tiles in her hands.

“Is Jared not getting it up?” Maurice asked with an enormous grin that lasted only a moment before Nancy looked up again, fire reignited in her eyes.

“Perhaps instead of helping here, you should go down to AP and stuff checks? Or maybe, Janitorial could use some help with recycling?” Maurice made a zipping motion across his mouth and threw the key away. Nancy glared at him for a moment, then shook her head and finished her lap around the table.

They narrowed the selection down by half before the silence got to him. “All right, it’s killing me. Why haven’t you been running?” he asked, making her close her eyes and sigh. “I wasn’t joking when I said you’re erratic. I’m concerned. You’re always more focused when you exercise.”

Nancy pulled two more tiles and held them up before glancing at him and exhaling. “The place I was running is available anymore.”

Maurice shook his head, confused. “They closed Abraham park?”

“No, where I was parking to run.”

“The little neighborhood? What happened?”

Her shoulders dropped as her head fell to the side to glare at him. “Are you helping with this or playing twenty questions?”

“Sorry!” he said, holding his hands up again, but then pointed to a tile she was about to pick up. “Not that one.”

“Why not?”

“Because it’s hideous,” he answered, making her snort. They sorted for a few more minutes before he spoke up again. “What about a treadmill?”

“I’d sooner throw myself out the window.”

“Gym membership?” he asked and then pointed to the tile in her right hand. “I rather like that one.”

“Lukewarm on this one,” she said, examining it. “Also, people are a distraction. I deal with people all day long. When I run, I want to be alone with my thoughts where no one knows me. People don’t chat with things they can’t catch, so I’d rather run out in the fresh air then on a hamster wheel next to other hamsters.”

Maurice turned and sat on the table, staring out the window for a bit before turning back to her. “Don’t kill the cat for its curiosity, but I have another question.”

“I can’t kill the cat if it’s down in AP,” she said, not looking at him. “Ask and then we get back to task.”

“What happened with the little neighborhood where you were parking?” Nancy glanced at him but looked back to the tiles. “See,” he said, pointing at her. “This is how I know something’s wrong. If it were simple, you would have just told me.”

Nancy’s head dropped as she took a deep breath, placing both hands on the table. “I... assaulted the man who was letting me park in front of his house.”

When Maurice said nothing, she turned to find his eyes wide and eyebrows reaching for his hairline. He slowly blinked a couple times and raised his one finger but then lowered it.

“So… But…” Maurice stopped and took a deep breath, shaking his head. “I have so many questions, I can’t even get them all out. First of all, are you serious?” When she nodded, Maurice pushed off the table and turned to her. “What were you thinking?! Wait, did he attack you? Was this self-defense? I told you not to run alone near dark.”

“It wasn’t self-defense.”

“What was it then?” Maurice asked, crossing his arms.

Nancy hung her head and turned to lean on the table. “He liked to make small talk and bring me water if he caught me coming or going. I tolerated it because it was a good spot. After the last call from Ingrid, I kept trying to think of some way around her but couldn’t. So, by the end of the run I was furious and when he appeared I just... snapped.”

“So, you assaulted a man for making conversation and giving you refreshment.”

“Yes.”

“You know you can be a real monster sometimes?”

Nancy closed her eyes and sighed. “I’m aware.”

“Have you been back?”

“No, of course not!”

“Because you’re embarrassed?”

She stared at him for a moment before and nodding. “Yes. He was annoying but, he didn’t deserve that.”

“So go apologize,” Maurice said, shaking his head as he turned to shuffle the tiles. Nancy squinted at him until he looked at her. “I’m serious! If you’re nice, he might let you run again.”

“I doubt that.”

“The greatest quality of leadership is humility, which derives respect as opposed to fear,” Maurice said with a big grin and a flourish. Nancy squinted at him for a moment before she chuckled.

“Your question was answered Sun Tzu. Back to task,” she said, pointing to the diminished pile of tiles. After examining the pile, she grabbed one she had chosen earlier. Examining it for a moment, she glanced at Maurice, who grinned as she tossed it in the trash.

“Not a word,” she pointed at him as he laughed.

Nancy put her car in park and took a deep breath. Walking up his steps, she could see Ikher in the kitchen wearing his usual t-shirt and cargo shorts. Even if he didn’t let her run, she needed to clear her conscience. She took a quick breath, put her chin up, and knocked. His head swung around, and he squinted at the window before coming over and opening the door. He looked at her for a second before doing a double take.

“Nancy?”

“Hello Ikher. I’m sorry to bother you but, I was wondering if I could apologize for my actions the last time I was here.”

He blinked a couple times before nodding. “Um, yeah, sure,” he said, stepping back and waving her in. “Come in. I was just getting ready for dinner.”

“If this is a bad time I can- “

“No, it’s not,” he said, cutting her off. “Please, come in. You know, I almost didn’t recognize you without your workout clothes and ponytail.” Nancy entered and stood in his kitchen, holding her clutch in front of her. He leaned against the door after closing it.

“Ikher, the last time I was here, my behavior was horrible. I allowed something else in my life to boil over, and I took it out on you, which is unacceptable. You’ve shown me nothing but kindness, and I spat on your hospitality. I regret what happened and I would take it back if I could.”

“Well thank you, Nancy. That’s really kind,” he said before shrugging. “But to be honest, I wasn’t upset with you.”

“You weren’t?” She blinked and shook her head. “May I ask why not?”

Ikher laughed and rubbed the back of his head. “Well, it happened so fast, I don’t even really know what happened. One minute you were breathing fire at me and the next you were gone. I was more confused than anything else. You were obviously upset, but it’s not like you attacked me or anything. I mean, you’ve always been...” he paused, snapping his fingers, trying to conjure the right word.

“Mean?”

“No,” he shook his head. “Annoyed is a better word, but that time you were on the warpath.”

Nancy closed her eyes and sighed. “I feel terrible for that. And... I’m sorry for being annoyed with you.”

“Ha! It’s okay, my mother calls me a pain in the ass all the time.”

“Even so,” she said, “my behavior was unacceptable.”

Ikher smiled and shook his head. “Nance, it’s all good. Everyone has shitty days. And like you said, it boils over. Hell, sometimes it explodes. I’ve had times where I was... not a nice person, so I get it. I wouldn’t want anyone to judge me based on that, so I try to never do that to anyone else.”

“Thank you, Ikher. This wasn’t my best moment. Your kindness and understanding are honestly surprising.”

“You’re very welcome,” he said, walking past her back to the kitchen. “You come straight from work?” he asked, opening the fridge. “Have you eaten?”

“Yes and no, I haven’t.”

“Excellent! Have a seat then. You’re staying for dinner.”

“Oh, I couldn’t,” she said, making Ikher look over his shoulder at her.

“Am I being annoying again?” His knowing grin made Nancy shoulder’s drop as she glared at him.

“No. I don’t want to put you out.”

He laughed and waved his hand at her. “You aren’t putting me out. I always make enough for later. Besides, I’d rather share a meal than have leftovers any day. So what’s it going to be? Spanish or Thai? Or, I could make something else.”

“You cook Spanish and Thai food?” she asked, both eyebrows up.

“Yep! My Thai’s more practiced, but I make a few mean Spanish dishes,” he said, slinging a hand towel over his shoulder. Nancy crossed her arms, considering his offer.

If she went home, she’d be subjected to another of Michael’s monstrosities. Her palette couldn’t take much more of that abuse. If she stayed, she wasn’t certain what she would be in for. It didn’t take her long to decide between possibly terrible and known terrible.

“Very well. Make me your best Thai dish.”

Ikher narrowed his eyes and tapped his finger to his chin. “Sweet or spicy?”

“Definitely spicy.”

“How spicy?”

“Moderate. I like to taste my food.”

“Hmmm, okay,” he nodded, mouth to the side. “Have a seat while I get this going.”

Waving her over to the couch, Ikher started digging in his pantry and refrigerator. Nancy sat, examining his home. It was a simple but cute bungalow that had a cozy feel to it. Unsurprising, his walls were bare. Most men weren’t big into decorating.

As he worked on their meal, Nancy noticed something. Sometimes it was subtle, sometimes obvious, but regardless of what he was doing, Ikher never stopped moving. Cleaning the knives or cutting boards, his foot tapped. Cutting the vegetables, there was a sway in his hips. Seasoning the chicken, head bob.

Eventually, curiosity got the better of her. She interrupted his process now and then, asking about what she smelled or what he was doing. Sure enough, a few moments after refocusing on cooking he would go back to bobbing or swaying. Almost as if there was some musical beat only he could hear.

Smiling, Nancy could imagine Maurice going insane at his constant motion. Turning, Ikher caught her head resting in her hand, smiling at him. His smile dropped as he glanced around like he had been caught doing something he shouldn’t have.

“What?”

She suppressed a giggle. “You’re, very into what your doing.”

“Oh, yeah. I like to cook,” he shrugged and turned back to the stove with a big smile. After he slid the meat and spices to his pot, a spicy savoy scent filled the front room. After a month of Micheal’s bland, or worse tasting meals, the smell alone was intoxicating.

“My god, that smells amazing,” Nancy said, coming over to watch him slowly stir coconut milk into a pot with chicken cuts and spices.

“Good,” he nodded with a smile, but didn’t take his eyes from the stove. With the sauce bubbling, he shook a frying pan with rice in it.

“Are you a chef?” Nancy asked.

“As a job? No,” he said, turning the heat down on the pot and dumped in diced potatoes. Nancy wondered if Ikher had been similarly punished as a teen and forced to cook. She could only hope that Micheal would turn out this well. Ikher tested the sauce a couple times and turned off the heat to the rice pan. He nodded to the table as he grabbed bowls.

“We’re almost there. Have a seat.”

A few minutes later he brought over two bowls with chicken and potato chunks covered in a reddish brown sauce with a dollop of rice on top. Putting the first spoon full in her mouth, Nancy closed her eyes and wilted in her seat.

“My god,” she moaned, savoring rich flavor and the slight burn. It felt like an eternity since she had actual food. “This is delicious.”

“Awesome. I experimented a bit, leaving out some sweeter things so it would be more spicy. I was worried wouldn’t work as well.”

“Well, it’s not that spicy, but it tastes amazing,” she said before another mouthful wilted her again. Ikher laughed and got them two glasses of water before digging into his.

“You’re missing your calling,” Nancy said, pointing her spoon at him. She narrowed her gaze, examining him. “How are you with cleaning?”

He looked up, pausing mid chew at her dissecting him. “You mean like, washing dishes?” he asked after swallowing.

“In general,” she asked, putting her spoon in the bowl and placing her hands in her lap. “Housekeeping, for example?”

“Umm, okay I guess. I try to keep this place pretty tidy.”

Nancy panned around, taking in the combined front room, and turned back to him. “Would you be interested in working for me?”

“Doing what?” he asked, taking another spoon full.

“I need someone for general cleaning and cooking. If the rest of your repertoire is as good as this, then you’ve got the cooking part down,” she said, looking around again. “You’re tidy and with a little guidance, I’m sure you could reach my cleanliness standards.”

Ikher laughed, which made him almost spit out his food. He covered his mouth and held up his finger while he finished chewing, then took a deep breath and shook his head.

“Whew, I’m sorry. I appreciate the offer, but I don’t know if I’m really the butlering type.”

Nancy stared at him for a moment before nodding. “I understand. Shame, really. This is excellent,” she said, digging in again.

“Well, come back sometime and I’ll make you something else.”

“Oh, I couldn’t.”

He sighed and shook his head. “Nance, you won’t be putting me out.”

“No, I meant that I’m very busy and I’m never certain when I’m free in the evenings.”

“Well, I figure you’ll be back to run,” he shrugged. “So, take one night you had planned to run and have some food instead."

Nancy squinted at him. “All your food is this good? This isn’t a fluke?”

“I like to think so. Tell ya what business lady, let’s make a deal,” he said, extending his hand and tilting his head up with a wry smile that lit his eyes up. “If the food isn’t good, you never have to come back.”

Nancy looked at him for a moment before nodding and shaking his hand. “I’ll take that deal.”