#Chapter 55: The Apology

As I approached my apartment, I was surprised to see Timothy standing there. His face lit up when he saw me, and I couldn't help but smile back, despite the Linda issue. "Hey, Evie! It's been a while. How are you?" he asked warmly. I hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to respond. I wasn't ready to be honest with Timothy, but I didn't want to seem distant either. "I've been okay," I finally replied, trying to sound casual. "Just been busy with work and stuff." Timothy studied my face for a moment. "Are you sure you're okay?" he asked, concern in his eyes. I nodded quickly. "Yeah, yeah, I'm fne," I assured him. "Just in a bit of a rush right now, that's all." He didn't seem fully convinced, but he let the subject drop for the moment. As much as I tried to resist, curiosity got the better of me. "I didn't know you had a dog," I blurted out, feeling a little embarrassed after. He smiled, seemingly delighted by this insight. "Yeah, I got Duke a few months ago. He's been a