“We bought Magnolia cupcakes,” she said, trying to take control back from Jake.

Tim asked, “I’m sorry I don’t recall—are you roommates?”

“I practically live here, but my apartment is next door. The food is much better over here, though. And the company, of course,” Jake said, smiling at Audrey.

Jake disappeared into the kitchen, but before Audrey could say anything to Tim privately, he quickly reappeared with three Stella Artois and some plates, handing them out and reclaiming his seat on the couch. His legs seemed to spread out on the couch, taking up space. Tim sat in the armchair across from the couch.

“So, how was dinner?” Jake asked.

“Jake, don’t you have to go?” Audrey asked as she pulled over a chair from the table. She didn’t dare join Jake on the couch.

“No.” Jake leaned back.

Audrey put the cupcake on a plate on the coffee table and cut it with the plastic knife from Magnolia. “Would you like a piece?”

“No, thanks,” Jake said.

Audrey handed Tim a light-blue frosted cupcake on a plate with a fork. Tim cut a piece with his fork, but then put the cake down on the table.

“So, what do you do again?” Tim asked.

“I work in the music business.”

“That’s tough. Make any money in that nowadays?” Tim asked.

“It’s up and down.” Jake shrugged and didn’t sound that concerned.

“But he’s doing what he loves,” Audrey said.

“I love law. There’s nothing better than a good dispute: the strategy, trying to find a solution for your client.” Tim’s phone beeped, and he looked at it.

“Are you getting emails from work at this hour on a Sunday night?” Jake asked. Audrey shot him a warning look.

“Yes, this partner, Gerald, usually starts working again around 11 p.m. after his family has gone to sleep.”

“Even on a Sunday?” Jake asked.

“Definitely. That’s why they pay me the big bucks,” Tim said.

They were both acting like cavemen, and it was ridiculous.

Jake said to Tim, “So nice to see love in the workplace. I never had the guts—I mean what if you had a break-up?”

“We’re all civilized adults.”

Jake said, “Somehow, I don’t often think of civilization and love in the same sentence.”

Touché for Jake.

Tim’s phone beeped again, and he picked it up.

Tim said, “Oh, man, another round of changes. He talked to the client and the client really liked my new angle, but he wants to go on the offensive even more.”

“Well, it’s good that the client really likes it. You were worried that he’d find it too aggressive.”

“And now we might be going over the top.” Tim looked thoughtful, as if he was analyzing how to re-write the brief. “I’d better go and get to bed. It’s going to be a long day tomorrow.”