I Hate My Ex

The following morning, Arin and Pin sat together at the kitchen table, sipping their coffee in a comfortable silence. Arin could sense the shift in their dynamic—things were slowly improving, but she knew they still had a long way to go.

"Hey, I was thinking," Arin said, breaking the quiet. "We should head back to Nan soon."

Pin looked up, surprised. "Nan? Why?"

"Well, I know Poly has been taking care of things while we've been here," Arin explained. "But we need to check on the projects and see how everything is progressing. Plus, I think it would be good for us to get back into the swing of things."

Pin considered this for a moment. "You're right. I've been so wrapped up in my feelings that I haven't even thought about the projects."

"Exactly," Arin said, encouraged by Pin's response. "And we can't leave Poly to handle everything alone. We need to be there for the team and show them we're still committed."

"Okay, let's do it," Pin agreed, nodding slowly. "But I want to make sure we're both ready for it. I don't want to rush back and then get overwhelmed."

Arin smiled, grateful for Pin's willingness to consider it. "I understand. We can take our time and make sure we're both comfortable."

After finishing their coffee, they began packing their bags. Arin felt a mix of excitement and nervousness about returning to Nan. She knew it would be a big step for both of them, but she also felt that it was necessary to move forward.

Once everything was packed, they loaded the car and set off on the road back to Nan. The familiar scenery flashed by as they drove, memories of their time in the town flooding back. Arin glanced at Pin, who stared out the window, lost in thought.

"Are you okay?" Arin asked gently.

Pin nodded, but Arin could see the tension in her shoulders. "Just thinking about everything we have to do when we get back. I want to make sure we handle the projects properly."

"We will," Arin assured her. "We're a team, remember? We'll tackle it all together."

As they continued driving, Pin finally turned to Arin. "Thank you for being patient with me. I know I haven't been the easiest to deal with lately."

Arin smiled softly. "You don't have to thank me. I care about you, and I want to support you through this."

When they arrived in Nan, they were greeted by familiar sights. Arin felt a sense of comfort wash over her as they pulled into the parking lot of their office. Poly was outside, waiting for them with a relieved smile.

"There you two are! I was starting to get worried," Poly exclaimed, approaching the car. "How was your trip?"

"Good, we're ready to jump back in," Arin replied, stepping out of the car.

Pin followed suit, a small smile on her face. "Thanks for holding down the fort, Poly."

"No problem! Let's get you both caught up," Poly said, leading them inside.

As they settled back into their workspace, Arin felt a renewed sense of purpose. She could see how much Poly had accomplished in their absence, and it made her proud. Together, they reviewed the projects, discussing the progress and what needed to be done moving forward.

Throughout the day, Arin noticed Pin becoming more engaged and focused. The work seemed to help ease some of the heaviness that had settled over her. They collaborated seamlessly, and Arin felt grateful for the connection they were rebuilding.

As the sun began to set, they wrapped up their discussions. Pin turned to Arin, her expression softer than it had been in days. "I think this was exactly what we needed."

Arin smiled, her heart swelling with hope. "I'm glad to hear that. We're getting through this together."

They left the office together, walking side by side as they made their way to the car. The night air was cool, and Arin felt a sense of relief wash over her. They were making progress, and she was determined to keep pushing forward, one step at a time.