Page 55 of Say My Name

“I said it quietly.”

“That isn’t the problem.”

“I know.”

I reach for the printed schedule and square it with the edge of the table, giving her the space to decide where this goes.

“On Saturday,” I say, “I won’t assume that inviting me for drinks means you want anything else.”

Her hand stops halfway to the mug.

“If you want me there as company, that’s what I’ll be. If you want me to take you home, you’ll tell me. If you want me to kiss you again, you’ll have to make that clear too.”

“You were willing to assume enough at the barbecue.”

“I asked before I kissed you.”

“I challenged you.”

“And I gave you the chance to say no.”

She doesn’t look away. “You did.”

“I’ll do it again.”

Her shoulders ease, but then she frowns as if my restraint has created a new problem.

I can see how she’s spent years making sure she doesn’t have to trust anyone else to honor a boundary. I won’t give her a reason to doubt me. If that line moves, it will be her choice, not mine.

“Of course you’re being reasonable,” she says.

“You sound disappointed.”

“I’m relieved.”

“You can be both.”

Her lips press together.

I stand and collect the papers.

She slips her shoes back on and closes her laptop. When she rises, we’re close enough that I could touch her without taking a full step.

I don’t.

She studies my face, then her eyes drop to my mouth. The glance is brief, but I feel it like a touch, a current that runs straight through me.

“Saturday at eight,” she says.

“I remember.”

“And the clinic is still scheduled for Monday.”

“I remember that too.”

“This weekend doesn’t change the plan.”

“I haven’t asked you to change it.”