“That is not a coherent dress code,” I said.
“It is innovative.”
“The live interview questions are not provided in advance?”
“No.”
“That is irresponsible.”
“That is entertainment.”
Dani slung an arm around my shoulders as if it meant nothing. My body objected.
“We’ll be great,” she said.
Blake smiled at us.
“Exactly. Keep that energy.”
They moved away. I stepped out from under Dani’s arm.
“That was not agreed in advance.”
“The situation required public affection.”
“Blake already believes us.”
“Maintenance.”
“You are expanding the kissing-emergency doctrine to include shoulder contact.”
“International law develops through precedent.”
“You cannot cite law you invented.”
“I can try.”
She picked up the resistance band and held it out.
“Our story needs work.”
“Our story is documented.”
“It’s boring.”
“It is consistent.”
“No one falls in love because of consistent coffee scheduling.”
“People fall in love for less.”
I said it before I could reconsider. Dani held my gaze.
“Yes,” she said quietly. “They do.”
The gym seemed louder around us. A weight dropped. Someone laughed near the front desk. Dani looked down at the band.
“Three sets,” she said.
