Chapter 2

Sonya came home that evening.

"Honey, I'm home." She changed her shoes and came over to hug me.

I stayed on the couch and quietly shifted away before she could touch me.

Sonya froze with her hands in the air, then gave an awkward smile. "Oh, right. I brought you a gift, honey."

She pulled a gift box from behind her back and set it on the coffee table.

"These are famous pastries from Yeston. I went all over town to find them and stood in line forever."

I glanced at the box. A small price sticker was still on the side of the package. It read, "Highway Rest Stop Market, 10 dollars."

She couldn't even be bothered to come up with a decent lie.

I didn't call her out on it and simply asked, "How did your business meeting go?"

Sonya's eyes darted away for a moment.

"Fine. It went pretty well. The other company's boss was a real pain, though. He kept trying to get me to drink with him. It took forever to get away."

"Is that so?" I stared straight at her. "Since you were so exhausted, did Mr. Hunt enjoy his ride?"

Sonya looked on edge. "Why are you bringing that up again? I already explained it to you. I was just giving him a ride because we were going the same way."

"And that way just happened to take you to a hotel for couples?"

Sonya's voice rose sharply. "What are you talking about? What hotel for couples? Mitchell, can you stop being so paranoid all the time? I was there for business!"

I picked up my phone and slapped the photo of the traffic violation notice down in front of her.

Sonya's face flushed a deep red. For a moment, she couldn't come up with an excuse.

I folded my arms and stared at her.

"What was it? Did you rent a hotel room to discuss gas money?"

When she couldn't answer the question, Sonya stayed silent again.

After a long pause, she finally spoke.

"Simon just got divorced, and it's hard enough for a man to raise a child on his own. What's wrong with me helping him out as a neighbor?"

I looked up at her.

"His ex-wife is still alive and around, and she got custody of the child. What do you mean he's raising a kid on his own? Are you trying to be his kid's new mom, or do you wish his ex-wife would just drop dead?"

"Can you stop being so nasty? There's nothing going on between Simon and me. Don't bring your workplace interrogation tactics home and use them on me!" Sonya snapped.

The doorbell rang as soon as she finished speaking.

Sonya shot me a glare and turned to open the door.

Simon was standing outside. "Sonya."

He kept his eyes fixed on Sonya, acting as if I weren't even there.

"I just made you some chicken soup as a thank-you. It should help with your sniffles."

With that, he finally seemed to notice me. Simon covered his mouth and put on a look of surprise.

"Oh, Mitchell, you're home, too? I hope I'm not interrupting. Sonya looked a little under the weather when she got back. I was worried she had overworked herself, so I brought her some soup."

Sonya glanced at me awkwardly before taking the soup. "Not at all. You're so thoughtful. I'm sure Mitchell appreciates it, too."

"Would you like to try some, Mitchell?"

Simon smiled at me, his gaze blatantly provocative.

"I spent hours making it. It's really good for you.

"You're busy with work all the time, so maybe this isn't your thing. Unlike me, I have an easy job and plenty of time to learn about staying healthy."

He was taking every chance to mock me for being a workaholic who had no idea how to enjoy life.

I walked over and took the soup container from Sonya.

Sonya seemed relieved, thinking I had finally backed down. "That's more like it. We're neighbors, after all."

The next thing she knew, I had tipped the container over.

I poured all the chicken soup into the dog bowl beside us. Our golden retriever was wagging his tail nearby.

Bobby sniffed the soup, then eagerly lapped it up.

I replied unhurriedly, "Perfect timing. Bobby could use some extra nutrients. The vet said I should supplement his diet. This soup is just right for him, Mr. Hunt."

Simon's eyes turned red-rimmed with tears. He looked at Sonya as if he might fall apart at any moment.

"Sonya, does Mitchell hate me? Did I do something wrong?"

The moment Sonya saw how hurt Simon looked, she lost it.

"Mitchell Latham! Have you lost your damn mind? Simon made that soup for us out of kindness. How could you feed it to Bobby? You're humiliating Simon!"

I looked straight at her. "Sonya, if you think the soup tastes so good, get down on all fours and fight Bobby for it. Be my guest."

"You're impossible!" Sonya was so furious that her chest heaved.

She grabbed Simon by the wrist.

"Simon, let's go! Don't waste another second on this lunatic!"

Sonya stormed out and slammed the front door behind her.