“That is my line.”
“I listen.”
The noise around us thinned.
“I am meeting Evelyn because she says she has information about a promotion,” Amy said.
“Professional.”
“Yes.”
“And the history part?”
“She wants to apologize.”
“Do you want that?”
“I don’t know.”
“Do you want her back?”
I asked before I could stop myself. Amy’s fingers went to her watch.
“No.”
Relief hit so strongly I had to look away.
“But,” she continued, “that is not a question you are entitled to ask as my former coach or assigned training partner.”
“No.”
“Or fake girlfriend.”
“No.”
“Or friend?”
Friendagain: true and insufficient.
“Maybe as a friend,” I said. “But you don’t have to answer.”
“I did answer.”
Amy moved toward the table and rested both hands on the back of a chair.
“You rejected Simone because you said you were unavailable.”
“Yes.”
“What did you mean?”
The honest answer waited. I am unavailable because I want you. I am unavailable because the idea of touching someone else feels like stepping out of a story I have already entered. I am unavailable because the fake relationship has become the most real thing in my life. Too much. Too soon. Too dangerous.
“I meant I don’t want to date Simone,” I said.
Amy folded her arms. Accurate. Incomplete. Rose would have recognized the distinction. Amy probably did too.
“Okay,” she said.
