t ease, like he hadn't just shattered Kate's ability to form words. Kate's gr

d, and walked straight toward us, wearing that same lazy s

dding me," Kate mutte

s?" I asked, voi

know his nam

ntertained. "So who might you be?" He chuckled.

ut she didn't look down. "

eyes locked on her. "I figured fate migh

ups eat dinner?" I asked, crossing my arms. He look

e me with a name." He looked pointedly at the o

to leave it at the bar," she muttere

trying not to laugh. "

to give him back the jacket slowly, and her fing

a name and number this time a

s time. Lucas. Of course

other stolen property," and then he was gone, just as smoothly as he c

t of earshot before grin

ut

when he asked for your

want to

s the story you'r

eep on the floor t

ows and now sleeping on the floor? If I didn't kn

She suggested. I perked up. "Finally, so

aid. "But I need to go freshen

you remember

mind

ng about sad stuff like moving. And th

on my life." And then we were off, out

, drawers pulled open, an awkward pile of clothes I'd sworn I'd f

, and threw a couple of snacks and a bottle of wine

over-the-top rom-com already playing. She opened the door in p

d, grabbing the wine.

t surprised?

nest of pillows and blankets covered the floor. Popcorn, candy, tak

xactly wha

ng me a glass. "Wait until the emoti

he rule was

hard to be good it loops back

d pouring some for herself. "I could get used to this; the weekends ar

eepy boxes, or anything remotely stressful. We just watched two acto

pile, my head resting against Kate's shou

she said

ind that stretched out when two pe

. Video calls. Memes. Win

"But it won't be this. What

nd she didn't have t

6:15, cutting through the quiet like a drill. I groaned

ross-legged on the floor, sipping

up early,

d. "Didn't

rt a little heavier than I'd expected

"Get dressed.

tened to. We didn't say much-not because there was nothing t

hing will be fin

d. "You'l

n't forget to wate

time, I forget, and sudde

d for the door, but

I turned

e, okay? Don't come back all mysterious

that's a thing.

l. Do

't. Pr

was dragging my suitcase through the automat

my messages-nothing major. No calls

ss you. Be

nd stared out the windo

rnight. And I had no id

one thing kept bugging in my mind, soft

ore. Not at the club. Not at t

wh

it take so long for me to re