Bliss by Shay Mitchell Page B

required. She stuffed two of the washers, one with whites, one with coloreds, set the dials, and started them off.
    As she was leaving the room, Yoga Pants came in, lugging a basket of her own dirty drawers. When she noticed both machines were running, she said, “Both yours?” and pointed at the two churning washing machines. “House rules: You’re not supposed to take two at a time.”
    I can’t do anything right , she thought. “I’ll take my stuff out if you want.”
    â€œNo, forget it.”
    â€œJust leave your stuff. I’ll put it in when mine’s done. I’ll even fold. It’s the least I can do after this morning.”
    â€œAre you feeling better?” The woman placed her basket on top of one of the washers.
    â€œMuch, except for the abject humiliation.”
    Yoga Pants smiled. “You certainly gave us something to talk about.”
    â€œI’m Demi, by the way."
    â€œCatherine.” They shook hands.
    â€œI’m never tangling with shrubs again. I’m never drinking again. It was a one-time thing. I’ve learned my lesson.”
    Catherine said, “Bullshit!” Whoa, Demi’s grandmother never cursed like that.
    â€œYou’re right. I am going to drink again.”
    â€œYou can come upstairs and have a sip right now, if you’d like. I put some Bailey’s in my coffee at this time of day.”
    Be neighborly! “Um, sure. Sounds great.”
    They took the stairs together. Catherine zoomed up the stairs, shockingly. “I do yoga five days a week.”
    â€œYou’re in better shape than I am.”
    â€œConsidering the shape you were in this morning…”
    What a sassy old bird! They got to the second floor. “Here you are,” said Catherine. “I’m right across the hall.”
    It was after two P.M. Demi really should go back to City Hall, but she couldn’t very well abandon the laundry and turn down her neighbor’s hospitality after accepting it. That would be rude and make a bad second impression. She’d have one coffee, transfer the wash into the dryer, then run back to City Hall and get the permit. She’d deliver it to Maya, and then race home and fold.
    They got to their floor, and Catherine said, “I’ll get the bottle. We can christen your place.”
    As she opened her door, Demi warned, “I don’t have anywhere to sit, but you do yoga, right?” They both smiled. Demi felt better already.
    When they were settled on boxes in Demi’s apartment, she had to ask, “Were you and Miriam friends? I know about the portal of doom, by the way.”
    Catherine laughed. “We call your apartment ‘God’s Waiting Room.’”
    â€œGod’s going to have to wait a long time for me.”
    â€œDon’t curse yourself.”
    â€œOkay, okay. I’m going to die tomorrow. Is that better?”
    Catherine liked her little joke, and gave Demi the brightest smile she’d seen in weeks. It was like sunshine and lemonade, and warmed Demi inside out.
    â€œSomething smells really good,” said Catherine.
    â€œMy muffins. I baked them for you, for all of you, to say ‘thanks’ and ‘sorry’ for this morning.” Demi dashed around the kitchen to put a hot cake on a plate.
    Catherine took a bite, made yummy sounds, and asked, “Who doesn’t love pumpkin? You’d have to be insane not to. Only serial killers don’t love pumpkin.”
    â€œI couldn’t agree more,” said Demi as they clinked their coffees and took another bite.

 
    demi’s pumpkin spice raisin and walnut muffins
    MAKES 12 MUFFINS
    ingredients
    3 cups gluten-free baking flour
    2 tsps baking powder
    2 tsps baking soda
    1 tsp salt
    1 tbsp ground cinnamon
    1 tbsp ground ginger
    Â¼ tsp allspice
    Â¼ tsp ground nutmeg
    4 eggs
    2 ⁄ 3 cup applesauce
    1 ⁄ 3 cup maple syrup
    2 ⁄ 3 cup almond milk
    2