Page 22 of Maggie

“Oh wow. Who does that?”

“Yeah, it was bad. I don’t want to think about it.” He laughed. “I don’t have a girlfriend. I plan to die as a bachelor. Please show up on my doorstep.”

Maggie laughed.

“I’m serious. I live in an apartment above the tattoo shop. I mainly show up at the shop to annoy my friend Zeke, who’s one of the artists, but I still make an appearance. I’m usually around the shop somewhere. Come around back and up the stairs.”

“Really?”

“Really. Anytime.”

“Do your friends show up on your doorstep often?”

He teased, “Yes. With or without pizza. Sometimes with alcohol. I’m a great friend so it’s not surprising.”

“You’re so full of yourself.”

Wylder laughed. “Open invitation. We can hang out and watch bad reality TV together whenever you want.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

“Not to be pushy, but why don’t you have a girlfriend? You seem like a good guy.”

Wylder said, “I guess I haven’t met the right person yet. I’ve had a few crazy exes in my past that put me off actively trying to meet someone, plus I had an extended period of rehab and recovery after my car accident. I tried dating apps and going to bars in the past but it never worked out. I figure if I’m meant to meet the right person, it will happen naturally. I would love to meet someone to settle down with, but I’m not going to force it. Why don’t you have a boyfriend?”

“I’m on the road for half of the year, at least. It’s hard to date someone when I’m not in the same place for very long. Plus, I never know when someone likes me or my fame. I’ve tried relationships a few times, but I’ve always been disappointed so I stopped trying.”

“That makes sense. Oh yeah.” Wylder cleared his throat. “I’ve been meaning to ask, how well have you been sleeping? You haven’t called me in the middle of the night recently.”

Maggie sighed and shifted against her pillow. “I’ve been taking my meds. I have to rely on sleeping pills every night anymore or I can’t sleep at all. It’s frustrating. I hate how they make me feel.”

“Maybe we can make a sleep pod for you. Cocoon you in blankets, surround you in total darkness, and play soothing music.”

Maggie laughed. “I like how you think.”

* * *

Two weeks later

Maggie knocked on Wylder’s apartment door. She balanced a pizza in one hand and a six pack of Woodchuck’s hard apple cider in the other. She stood illuminated in the light from the fixture beside the door, as the 11:00 pm darkness waited outside the glow.

Butterflies fluttered in Maggie’s stomach. She wasn’t sure why seeing Wylder again made her nervous. She liked him a lot, though, and wanted to hit it off.

Wylder opened the apartment door. He looked completely relaxed, barefoot in a black t-shirt and track pants. His colorful tattoos stood out on his arms and his wet hair looked like he’d recently showered.

An Alaskan Husky face, complete with a lazy tongue hanging out the side of his mouth, appeared curiously by Wylder’s knees.

Wylder’s hazel eyes trailed over her and surprise crossed his face. He grinned. “I didn’t expect to see you today. Hi, beautiful.”

“Hey.” She smiled shyly.

He stepped forward and kissed her cheek. “Welcome.”

“Thank you. It’s good to see you.”

“You, too.” He took the pizza and drinks from her and gestured toward the door. “After you.” As an afterthought, he nodded at the dog. “That’s Buzz. My niece named him. He’s friendly. Go ahead.”

Maggie stepped inside the brightly lit apartment. Buzz stepped back and let her enter. The front door opened into a nicely decorated living room. A couch faced a large flatscreen TV mounted to the wall; there was also a coffee table, a bookcase, and abstract paintings hanging on the walls. She could see the dining room and kitchen, then a doorway that must lead to the rest of the apartment. The TV played a random sitcom.

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