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The whole office was scrutinizing us as alked out The woman who’d accostedlook No wonder Zara had always come to Simply Stark to work This place was fish bowl central
There were a few restaurants within a couple blocks of Zara’s office
Four blocks wasn’t long enough Once we sat down, t
he true challenge would begin—getting Zara to speak towas up It wasn’t htest idea, but if I had shown up on my own, a slammed and locked door would’ve been my only reception
Maybe Kathleen would take a long ti Zara and me a chance to talk
I restedhow the curve of it fit ers brushed her elbow before we crossed the street, watching for insane bikechariot races around the city Before, I’d done it to irk Zara Now I did it because I missed the chance to touch her
Kathleen chattered on about all her plans for the next year, but I couldn’t stop watching Zara Every time Kathleen looked back, I’d s attention, but I couldn’t drag my focus away from Zara
The swoop of her hair across her forehead before it was tucked behind her ear The hug and fit of her skirt, teasing s she’d draped over mine while we’d slept
The unpleasant way she hadn’t been distracted by havingcarefully to every word Kathleen was saying—orthan I was
We beat the lunch rush and found a spot at a restaurant I pulled out the seats for both of theh she tried to force me into one across from her
After the server took our orders, we settled into an uneasy silence Zara maintained her plastic smile that didn’t reach her eyes and continued to excludeback to Kathleen
“The end of the year will be here soon Have you two given anyday?”
Zara sliced into her chicken “We’re still taking it one day at a time Life moves so quickly and we’re never sure what’s around the corner, so we’re holding off so we don’t get our hopes up”
I toyed with my food “But we also know sometimes surprises coe at a moment’s notice”
“Change is fine as long as everyone is on the saoes anywhere Or one person rows full steam ahead and the other person is stuck in a place they don’t want to be” She set down her fork