Episode 42: A Quiet Date in the Shadows

The café is quiet.

Acceptable.

I sit in the corner, frozen lemonade in hand.

Diana sits beside me.

Too close.

On purpose.

Her knee brushes mine.

She doesn’t move it.

“…Personal space,” I mutter.

“Denied,” she replies smoothly.

We watch people.

A couple arguing over nothing.
A man speaking too loudly into his phone.

“…Idiots,” I say.

“Consistently,” she agrees.

Her gloved fingers rest over mine.

Firm. Grounding.

I don’t pull away.

I never do.

“…You’re staring,” she says suddenly.

“…No.”

“You are.”

She leans closer.

“…Say it.”

I hesitate.

“…You look nice.”

Silence.

“…Acceptable,” she says.

But her grip tightens slightly.

When we leave, she walks just close enough that our shoulders touch.

Not accidental.

Never accidental.