How to Bake the Perfect Apple Pie

by Gina Henning

  There is a small part of me that can’t help but think—and wonder and hope I’m wrong—that the something that came up isn’t a something but rather a someone. Corinne. My chest tightens. I might be jumping to conclusions. But something isn’t right.

  I pick up my phone and hit Brianna’s number.

  “Wasssup?”

  “Hey, listen, remember before when I told you about Corinne?”

  “Yes, what happened?”

  “Well, Jack and I were supposed to chat tonight and he cancelled.” I wrap the tassels from my sofa pillow around my finger.

  “Okay, so he cancelled. Why?”

  “He texted me that ‘something came up’.”

  “Something came up? What kind of reason is that?”

  “I know, right?” I shake my head.

  “Argh. Lauren, I’m sorry but that’s not good.”

  “Crap, so I’m not being oversensitive?”

  “No, that’s a lame excuse for not calling.” Brianna tsks.

  “I know.” I swallow hard. I haven’t even opened a bottle of wine yet or changed out of my work clothes.

  “Do you want to grab a drink?”

  I glance down at my outfit. I’m wearing my camel-colored suit with dark brown sweater and chocolate pumps.

  “Yeah, how about Shantilly’s?”

  “Perfect. See you in ten.”

  The click sounds in my ear. Shantilly’s is our meeting place for when we don’t want to drive far. We live about a fifteen-minute drive from each other and Shantilly’s is about halfway in between us.

  I slink down the stairs and hop back into my car. My stereo keys up a Taylor Swift sad song. I hit the skip button before she can get to the next chord. No. I need something heavier. I tap on the four button and Sail comes on. Yes. I need to sail away right now. Sail away from these emotions of sadness and fear. I’m afraid. Afraid I might be right and afraid I might be wrong and thus am causing problems.

  What if I’m right and I’m just not good at picking partners? My parents have been married for over thirty years and each of my siblings is happily wedded as well… Maybe I’m still single because I’m bad at people. My lungs are deflating inside me. I want to rock back and forth in a fetal position. I can’t be wrong about Jack. The feelings I have for him are too deep…too strong…he is the one…he has to be, but why am I so full of doubt? Failing before I’ve even said I do? I let out a long breath. I’ve got to get a better hold on my emotions. I can’t ride this crazy rollercoaster in my mind. I need a drink and a good girl chat.

  The parking spot is tight as I squeeze my car in between the yellow lines. I make like a paper and slide out of the door and glide across the dimly lit parking lot. It’s freaking cold. My car thermometer read twenty degrees. I rush inside.

  Shantilly’s is a jazzy lounge. Some nights there is live music, but today is Monday so I seriously doubt there will be anyone playing. I head to the back corner where Brianna and I usually sit and stop in my tracks.

  Trent is here. He eyes me. I can’t even turn around and pretend I don’t see him. Our eyes are glued to each other. He gets up from his spot, which is our spot, as in Brianna’s and mine, and strides towards me.

  “Hey Lauren, I didn’t expect to see you here.” He leans in and hugs me. His spicy cologne invades my nose. “Let me get you a drink.”

  “I uh—”

  He turns and waves at the waitress. “Pigmentum Malbec, please.”

  I shake my head. I need to get myself under control. Why am I so bumbling around him? Yes, he’s good-looking, but I’ve been around plenty of good-looking people in my day.

  “You don’t need to do that. I’m actually meeting my friend here.” I bite my lip and scan the room. For a Monday night, there is quite a crowd. However, Brianna is nowhere in sight.

  “Come on, join me. My friend hasn’t shown up yet either.” He puts his hand on my back and guides me to the black leather couch. There is a twin version in front of it separated by a smoky glass table. I opt for the sofa opposite Trent and sit down.

  The waitress returns with my wine.

  “Thanks.” Trent hands her some cash.

  “Thanks for the wine. But you really shouldn’t be buying me a drink.” I take a sip anyway. I really need one in this situation.

  “Why? We’re friends, right?” He taps his beer bottle against my glass.

  “Wow, Lauren you move quick… I’m impressed.” Brianna leans down and hugs me.

  My eyes bulge out. Brianna is wearing a silver dress with a yellow and white floral print and a lacy coat with a grey ribbon belt accentuating her curvy waistline. Sunshine-colored teardrop earrings dangle from her ears and yellow sunflower petals fade into the heel of her pumps to die for. She is always the epitome of high fashion. Her black hair swings over her shoulder as she offers her hand to Trent.

  He stands up.

  “Hi there, I’m Brianna.”

  “Trent, nice to me you.”

  “Wha-wait…Trent, from the office Trent?” Brianna jerks her head back.

  “Yes, that’s right, Lauren and I work together.”

  “This is getting even better,” Brianna mumbles and tosses her hair back. She makes eye contact with the waitress. Our usual waitress. Brianna gives her the nod. Oh no. Tonight is not a good night for our special order.

  I want to speak up but Brianna is digging into Trent’s background with intensity.

  “Oh sweetie, I’m so sorry. I’m sure your mom is looking down on you from heaven.” Brianna shakes her head.

  Our waitress returns with a bottle of sake and three glasses.

  “Thanks, sugar. Put it on my tab.”

  “Brianna, I can’t drink sake tonight.” I take a sip of my wine. I cling to the stem like it’s a life raft.

  “What, why not?” Brianna pours the sake into three glasses.

  “Because it’s a Monday night. I have to be at work early.”

  “Work, work, work. Lauren, we all have to work, come on. One bottle between the three of us is no biggie.” She gives a glass to Trent.

  “Hey Trent, you didn’t tell me we were meeting for a double date.”

  I glance in the direction of the deep voice. A tall auburn-haired guy with brown eyes framed by hipster specs grins at me. His attention shifts to Brianna.

  “Hi there, I’m Marc.” He shakes hands with Brianna and then me.

  “This is Lauren and Brianna.” Trent introduces us.

  “Lauren, from work Lauren?” Marc cocks his head at me.

  My lips form into two lines. “Yes, that’s right.”

  “Nice.” Marc nods.

  I want to exit this situation. I play over the idea of faking a sudden illness or extreme exhaustion.

  “Lauren, are you okay?” Brianna inspects my face.

  “Um, I’m not feeling that good.” I bite my lip.

  “Lor, come on, have some fun. You deserve it.” She pushes the sake towards me.

  I shake my head and take another sip of my wine.

  “So give me the scoop—whose idea was it to meet here?” Brianna’s eyes cut back and forth between me and Trent.

  “We didn’t.” I blink.

  “What? This is a coincidence?” Brianna squints her eyes as if she is trying to figure out a really difficult math problem.

  “Yes,” I say, desperately trying to get her to understand how uncomfortable I am. I came here to discuss Jack, not have another awkward encounter with Trent.

  “Yeah, I live only a few minutes from here and so does Marc.” Trent is saying.

  “Okay, well that’s interesting.” Brianna slams back her sake and winks at Marc.

  “Where is Owen tonight, Bri?” I give Brianna the look.

  Brianna shrugs her shoulders. “No idea.”

  “Brianna, do you work with Lauren and Trent?” Marc takes a sip from his beer.

  “Oh no, I’m in real estate. The only numbers I deal with are ones that follow the word sold.”

  �
�Nice. I’m in sales too.”

  “What’s your product?” Brianna inspects Marc’s face. I’m sure she’s determining if he might be a future client.

  “Stocks.”

  “Perfect.” Brianna, Marc, and Trent slip into a conversation. I’m not even listening. I’m still thinking about Jack. Am I being silly? Am I seeing problems where there aren’t any just because I hate the distance? I really wish I could talk to Jack… I bring myself back round to the conversation.

  “Let’s have another round of sake, yes?” Brianna waves for the waitress.

  “Brianna, it’s getting late. How about we save that round for next time?” I stand up.

  Brianna glances at her phone. “All right, I’ll let you go easy this time. I’ve got an early meeting tomorrow anyways.”

  Trent leans in for a hug and I pat his arm instead. He grabs onto my elbows. “Are you okay to drive?”

  My eyebrows fold together. “I’ve only had one glass and I didn’t even finish it…” I look down to the wineglass. It is still a quarter full. “I’m fine.”

  “Okay, but if you need me to drive you home we can always get your car in the morning.”

  “Thanks, but I’m good.” I step back from him and reach for Brianna’s arm. “Goodnight.” I wave over my shoulder and lead Brianna out of the place.

  “Okay, wow! He has got it bad for you, Lauren. You better watch out.” Brianna practically shouts in my ear.

  “I don’t know.”

  “Lauren, don’t fool yourself.” Brianna slides into her coat.

  “Are you okay to drive?” I grab onto her elbows and stare deeply into her eyes, mimicking Trent.

  “No, can you take me home and then we can grab my car in the morning after a night of love making. Or we don’t have to do that; I can just watch you sleep.” She bursts into laughter.

  I can’t help but join her. “Seriously, though I can take you home.”

  “Lauren, I had a few Sakes no big deal. Do you want me to recite the alphabet backwards?” She closes her eyes and stretches her arms out to the sides and then touches her nose perfectly.

  I roll my eyes, she’s obviously fine. “All right, text me when you get home.” I rush to my car.

  “Ditto,” she calls over her shoulder.

  Chapter Nine

  A knock on my door breaks my concentration. I’ve increased my productivity by twenty percent this week. The only slacker is Hallie. I did talk to her, but it clearly hasn’t helped, so I’ve arranged another chat with her today. I shake my head and open the door.

  “Hey Hallie.” I motion for her to come into my office.

  “Hi Lauren, I know what this is about.” She sits down.

  “Okay, well let’s talk about it. On Monday we discussed ways you could improve and, well, obviously that didn’t happen. So tell me what you did?”

  “I don’t know…I’m in a slump or something. I tried the different things we charted, but every attempt came up empty.”

  “Right, your ship is sinking. What’s your rescue method?”

  “Okay, um well. I can increase my productivity and focus on shortening my call times? I haven’t tried that yet. And then I can go into the standard call cue and see if I can drum up some new business.”

  “That sounds great and I have confidence in you succeeding. Let’s meet again next Tuesday to discuss your Monday numbers to make sure you are on the right track.” I tap my pen against the stack of papers on my desk.

  “Great. Thanks, Lauren.” Hallie exits my office.

  The rest of my team is doing great. I hope this inspires some motivation in her. The idea of issuing a performance improvement plan during Q1 sounds like a horrible plan. But she is in dire need of a performance improvement. I need her to pick up her numbers next week before Javier says anything. If Monday’s aren’t better I’ll have to take time off from my lines and shadow her calls to see what she is or isn’t doing.

  Knock, knock. I glide over to my door. This week has gone by quickly. I’ve barely talked to Jack on the phone. It’s like we are drifting apart. I’ve been crazy busy at work, but I almost didn’t want to call him every day as each time I talked to him the worse I felt. I just want to be with him and hearing his voice and counting down the hours until I get to see him again is ripping my heart apart.

  After our FaceTime was cancelled he never explained why and I didn’t want to ask. I was afraid of what the reason was and whether he would even tell me. He said he was flying in on Friday, and I figured I would wait until then to tackle those feelings.

  This week I dove into my work, stayed late to pull reports and numbers. I can’t help but feel the need to be one step ahead of Trent. He tried to bring in some reports a couple of other times this week, but I waved him away as I was on a call or I had already gone over the numbers. If Hallie’s numbers weren’t sinking so drastically, I might feel better about my managerial skills.

  I sigh as I reach the door. I’m assuming it’s Trent or Elaine. I can’t seem to shake her; everywhere I go she keeps popping up.

  I pull on the handle and my breath is taken away. I’m speechless. It’s Jack. Jack. He’s wearing a navy blazer with a white collared shirt with thin grey pinstripes and matching navy pants. I swallow. It’s only been a few weeks, but it’s like I’m seeing him for the first time. Technically, I am seeing him for the first time here in my office. My chest is heated. I want to pull him into my office and shut out the rest of the world forever.

  “Jack, what are you doing here?” I pull open the door further for him to come in.

  Jack leans in and his lips brush against mine. “I’m here to see you.” He closes my office door and pulls me in for a deeper kiss. Our tongues meet and I’m dizzy, unaware of my surroundings. A knock on the door brings me back to my current setting.

  I wipe around my mouth and pat down my hair.

  “I, um…I need to answer—”

  “It’s your office.” Jack wraps his arms around me and nuzzles my neck. “God, I’ve missed you.” He breathes into my ear. My body is melting. I’m a puddle of emotions. I have to gain control of myself.

  I blink several times and press down my plaid wool wrap skirt. On the other side of my door is Elaine. Great.

  “Hey there, Lauren, I wanted to see if you had any—” Elaine stops speaking as she notices Jack. Her gaze traces up and down his body as if she has lasers in her eyes and is scanning him for contraband. “Oh, I didn’t realize you had a guest.” Elaine clears her throat. “Hi, I’m Elaine.” She offers her hand.

  “Jack Walker.” Jack shakes her hand. I cringe. I do not want these two worlds colliding.

  “Oh, Jack…nice to meet you. Hmm, I didn’t realize you two were still a thing?” Elaine waves her finger in front of us.

  Jack’s eyebrows crinkle.

  “Yes, Elaine, Jack is my fiancé.” I cock my head towards Jack. I can only imagine what kind of verbal diarrhea is going to fall from her mouth.

  “Oh okay, well anyways, um it was nice meeting you. Lauren, you sure do have quite the fanfare of males these days.” Elaine winks at me and turns on her heel.

  I swallow hard. I’m sure Jack is wondering what Elaine means. I know she thinks there is something going on with Trent, but that’s hardly a fanfare. And there’s nothing happening anyway, as I’ve told her.

  I close my office door and step over to my computer. I check out the time. It’s almost four o’clock.

  “I thought I was going to pick you up at the airport at six?” I bite my lip.

  “I told you I was going to try and get an earlier flight.” Jack strides towards me. He wraps his arms around me.

  “Why didn’t you call or text me?” My eyebrows crinkle.

  “I wanted to surprise you.” Jack’s lips meet mine and he kisses me with an intensity of passionate love. A burst of energy soars throughout my skin. I run my fingers through his hair and he props me on my desk. Jack pushes my skirt up over my hips and his body is hard against mine. I
break our kiss.

  “Jack, I can’t do this here…in my office.” I stand up and pull my skirt down.

  “I know, I just need you, Lauren…badly. It’s been weeks!” Jack pulls me in close and kisses me hard with an unquenched thirst to twirl our tongues together for an eternal moment of desire, promising a lifetime of happiness.

  Jack releases me and digs through his backpack on the floor. He finds a cylinder wrapped in tissue paper. Jack stands back up and hands me the tissue paper.

  “Careful, it’s delicate.” Jack observes me as I unwrap the gift.

  Underneath the tissue paper is a pink orchid in a small black ceramic vase.

  “Oh Jack, it’s so pretty.” I glance up at him. His smile is warm. “Thank you.” I place the pot on my desk and stand on my tippy toes to kiss him. His arms enclose my body and the scent of sandalwood and apples dance along my nose. It’s like I’m in a forest of Jack’s love. I want to lay a blanket on the ground and stay in this moment.

  “Lauren, I need to be with you. Away from this office and these clothes.” He tugs on my skirt.

  “You don’t like my outfit?” I scrunch up my eyes.

  “I like your outfit and the idea of me taking it off of you.” Jack growls into my ear and nips at my neck.

  My skin is on fire. Our lips meet and we kiss a deep lasting tango.

  I pull back. “Let me just close out for the day, so we can finish this at my house.” I sit at my desk and an instant message pops up from Trent.

  “Any big weekend plans?”

  My shoulders sag. I do not need this right now.