Chapter 83: The Shop Introduction
Wednesday afternoon. Week two of dating Katie.
She shows up at the Pasadena shop around three. Yoga pants and oversized sweater. Hair in a ponytail.
"This is it?" She's looking around. Taking it in.
"This is it."
"It's bigger than I expected."
"We expanded. Knocked through the wall last year."
She walks the aisles. Touching spines. Reading titles.
"How do you organize?"
"Publisher, then alphabetical. With new releases up front."
"That's—actually logical."
"Sheldon helped design the system."
"Sheldon?"
"Friend. Physicist. Brilliant and particular."
"Sounds like a character."
"He is. You'll meet him in—" I check my watch. "—about an hour. Wednesday's new comic day. The gang shows up religiously."
"The gang?"
"Four physicists and a microbiologist. My core friend group."
"You're friends with scientists."
"I'm friends with nerds. They happen to be scientists."
She's browsing the manga section. Pulls out My Hero Academia.
"I've heard about this."
"It's excellent. Superhero school in Japan. Very earnest."
"Can I borrow it?"
"You can have it."
"I can't just take your—"
"Katie. I own a comic shop. Take the book."
She hugs it to her chest. "Thank you."
Four-thirty. The door chimes.
Leonard, Sheldon, Howard, and Raj pile in. Bernadette's with them.
They stop. Stare at Katie.
"Hi," she says. Waves.
Howard's mouth is open. Raj goes red. Leonard's trying not to stare.
Sheldon just walks to the new releases.
"Everyone," I say. "This is Katie. Katie, this is Leonard, Howard, Raj, Bernadette, and the one ignoring us is Sheldon."
"Nice to meet you," Katie says.
"You're—" Howard starts. "—you're on that show. The medical one."
"Guilty."
"My mom watches that."
"Your mom has good taste."
Bernadette steps forward. Extends her hand. "Bernadette. Don't mind the guys. They're not used to humans."
Katie laughs. Shakes. "I like you already."
Sheldon turns around. Studies Katie.
"You're dating Stuart."
"That's—yes. We're seeing each other."
"Are you adequately versed in comic continuity?"
"I'm learning."
"Acceptable. Stuart can educate you." He turns back to the new releases.
Katie looks at me. Mouthing: Is he serious?
I nod.
Leonard steps up. "Sorry about—everything. We're not normally this weird."
"You are exactly this weird," I correct.
"Fair."
Katie's easy with them. Asks about their work. Leonard explains experimental physics. Raj talks about his telescope. Howard tries being funny without being creepy—actually succeeds.
She holds her own. Mentions she took physics in college. Debates something about wave-particle duality with Sheldon. He looks almost impressed.
"Stuart," Sheldon announces. "Your new companion is intellectually adequate."
"That's—thank you, Sheldon."
"Superior to your previous selection."
Dead silence.
"Previous selection?" Katie asks.
"My ex," I explain. "Who Sheldon apparently rated."
"I maintain objective assessments of all social connections within our group dynamic."
"That's—creepy but also kind of sweet?" Katie offers.
"It's Sheldon," Bernadette says. "You'll get used to it."
They buy their comics. Leave in stages.
Bernadette lingers. Pulls me aside.
"She's good. Keep this one."
"Noted."
"I'm serious. She fits."
After everyone's gone, Katie's still browsing.
"Your friends are—"
"Weird?"
"I was going to say wonderful. But yes. Also weird."
"They're the best."
"That physicist. Sheldon. He really ranks people?"
"Apparently."
"And I'm superior to your ex?"
"His words, not mine."
"Should I be offended for her?"
"Penny would find it hilarious."
She sets down the comic she's holding. "This is good, Stuart. Your shop. Your friends. Your life. It's—real. Not Hollywood bullshit."
"Thanks?"
"It's a compliment. I'm tired of bullshit."
"Then you're in the right place."
She kisses me. Right there in the shop.
"See you tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow."
She leaves with her borrowed manga.
My phone explodes.
Leonard: HOW???
Howard: Seriously, how?
Raj: She's gorgeous and nice and smart. Stuart, what is your secret?
Bernadette: Ignore them. She's great. Happy for you.
Sheldon: Adequate romantic pairing. 73% compatibility estimate.
I text back to the group: Stop analyzing my relationship.
Howard: Never.
Leonard: This is what friends do.
Raj: We live vicariously.
I lock up. Head home.
Katie Stevens.
Actress. Beautiful. Genuine.
And she fits with my world.
That's new.
Penny never quite fit. Too different. Too Nebraska. Too spontaneous for the nerd crowd.
Katie's ambitious but grounded. Famous but real.
The memory's not tingling about her being "the one."
But it's not warning me away either.
Maybe that's enough.
Maybe this is just—good.
For now.
And now's all anyone really has anyway.
Note:
Please give good reviews and power stones itrings more people and more people means more chapters?
My Patreon is all about exploring 'What If' timelines, and you can get instant access to chapters far ahead of the public release.
Choose your journey:
Timeline Viewer ($6): Get 10 chapters of early access + 5 new chapters weekly.
Timeline Explorer ($9): Jump 15-20 chapters ahead of everyone.
Timeline Keeper ($15): Get Instant Access to chapters the moment I finish writing them. No more waiting.
Read the raw, unfiltered story as it unfolds. Your support makes this possible!
👉 Find it all at patreon.com/Whatif0