"A Moment of Distraction"

A moment of distraction was all it took for Abie's worries to momentarily fade away as she watched Max's adorable reaction to the cookies she had baked earlier that day. She had left them on the kitchen counter, and the aroma had wafted into the living room, enticing Max's senses. His eyes lit up as he spotted the plate, and he jumped up from the couch, his eyes fixed on the treats. "Cookies?" he asked, his voice filled with excitement, as he strode into the kitchen. Abie couldn't help but laugh at his enthusiasm. "Yeah, I baked them earlier," she said, smiling as she followed him into the kitchen. As Max reached for a cookie, Abie playfully swatted his hand away. "Wait, you have to try them with me," she said, grabbing a glass of cold milk from the fridge. She poured two glasses and handed one to Max, who was grinning from ear to ear. As they sat down at the kitchen table, munching on the warm cookies and sipping their milk, Abie felt a sense of normalcy wash over her. For a brief moment, she forgot about Alex and the project, and just enjoyed the simple pleasure of sharing a sweet treat with the person she loved. Max, sensing her relaxation, wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. "You know, I think these are the best cookies I've ever had," he said, his voice filled with sincerity. Abie blushed, feeling a flutter in her chest. Just then, her phone buzzed on the table, breaking the spell. Abie's heart sank as she saw Alex's name on the screen. She hesitated for a moment before picking it up, her eyes locked on Max's reassuring gaze. "Hey, what's up?" she asked, trying to sound casual. "Abie, I need to talk to you about the project," Alex said, his voice firm but urgent. "I just got off the phone with the producer, and they're getting impatient. They need an answer from you by tomorrow." Abie's heart skipped a beat as she felt Max's eyes on her, his expression supportive but concerned. She knew she had to make a decision, and fast. But what was the right choice? Only time would tell.