more presentable, but there’s no point in going to all that effort. The curls would fall out within
minutes. With a sigh, I slap the light off in the ensuite and drop onto my bed.
Today was harder than I thought it would be. The actual work was great. The people in my
department all seem pretty great, but the rest of it is overwhelming. Everyone at Brash seems larger
than life, and I could feel the urge to shrink into nothing come over me. My tendency to fade into the
background socially was riding me hard.
I know I wanted different, but maybe it was a mistake to change everything so quickly. Maybe I
should have gotten a new haircut, or tried online dating.
But nope, I had to up and move my entire life.
I’ve spent one night in this apartment, and it was the longest night of my life. Tossing and turning,
no hum of the traffic outside for white noise. No neighbor’s footsteps. It was entirely too quiet.
Humming the lyrics toDon’t Stop Believinghelped for a while. I hope tonight will be better so my
brain can turn off and let me rest.
Moving to the front door, I stop and take a breath, then another and another, until my heart rate is
back to normal. Here goes nothing.
I cross the hall to Cara’s door decisively, raising my hand to knock. My hand freezes in the air as
my doubts come storming back.
Nope. Not doing this. This is too much change, too quickly. I spin, retreat back to my door, and
stop, hand on the doorknob, battling with myself.Stop being such a chicken.
Ok. I’m really doing it this time. Back to Cara’s door.
Nope, maybe not. Got a little too cocky there.
I’m not sure how many trips back and forth I make, but eventually the decision is taken out of my
hands when Cara’s door swings open. I keep my eyes fixed on my hand, raised to knock.
Maybe if I stay really still, she won’t notice me. That could work.
“This has been endlessly entertaining, but dinner will be cold if we do this any longer.”
Ok, crap. She’s been watching me. Damn whoever invented peepholes. And she’s laughing at me.
“Ah, right. Yes. Well, I just wanted to get some steps in, you know?” I pat my bare wrist for
emphasis, then wish a portal would open and suck me in.
“You’re a bit of an odd duck, aren’t you?”
I meet her eyes, expecting to see scorn, and finding warmth and laughter instead. “Yeah. I don’t
