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"No, it’s—sorry. I didn’t mean to snap. I appreciate you caring."

I stare into the rippling tea, unsure why talking to Terry feels so hard. He’s only looking out for me, and I know why. My behavior’s been off for a while, even before the dig. News about research funding problems will do that to anyone.

But I don’t want him to know just how right he was, or that his words are still rattling around in my head, shaping what I do even now.

I collect myself and look over to him. "Honestly, I thought about what you said yesterday, and I think you're right."

"Don’t go saying that," he jokes. "You’ll give me a big head."

"I mean it, you’re right; I’ve been obsessing for the wrong reasons. I’m going to take a break and try not to bury myself in work now that I have some wiggle room after the dig."

He takes a beat. "Well, if you are going to be going out more, my boyfriend and I are throwing a Halloween party. I'm assuming you still remember where we live."

"It hasn’t been that long, asshole," I chide.

"Oh, are you telling her about the party?" Carol asks as she sets down her things. "Make sure she brings her boyfriend!"

My stomach drops at the suggestion. It’s one thing to lie, but actually finding someone to play the part?

"Yeah!" Terry replies enthusiastically. "He's more than welcome to come."

"Oh, I don't know, we are still getting to know each other."

"Getting to know him?" Carol says with a confused look. "That hotty? Mary, you gotta lock that guy down before coeds start circling."

I blink, confused by what she means. I literally made this guy up; how can she... Oh no.

"Terry, you should have seen this guy. Tall, dark, built like the Colossus of Rhodes. Mary had him by the wrist, leading him around like a dog on a leash."

Shit. Carol lives in my direction. How long was she following us?

My tan skin must be turning every shade of red as I struggle to contain my embarrassment, a sting that only deepens when Terry notices.

His lips curl into a Cheshire cat smile. "That hot, huh? Well now I definitely gotta meet him."

"No! It's not like that; he lives in my building."

"We should all be so lucky." Carol mockingly scoffs as she logs into her computer.

Terry gets a call on his phone and stands to go. "Well, the party's Saturday, so I hope you'll be there, because if you aren't, well, apparently Carol now knows where you both live."

Chapter four

Starry Knight

Ispend the rest of the day playing hide-and-seek with my friends. Terry means well; he’s just checking in, maybe even a little pleased I took his advice. Carol seems to feel the same way, at least a bit.

Unfortunately, Carol’s friendly concern is quickly overshadowed by her burning curiosity about Kevin. She wants to know every detail about him, when we’re getting married, and when we’ll have kids.

By evening, as people head to the bar, I’m already planning my escape. Anything to avoid more questions.

Unlike my brisk walk to campus, the walk home feels much slower. Like last night, I’m plagued by thoughts I don’t want to have. I’ve tried to settle into this new life, convincing myself not to let hypothetical curses or existential fears overshadow the joy of my recent dig. Now, though, I have new problems: Kevin problems.

Turning the corner to my walk-up, I spot a moving van outside. It’s already dark; everything is after 4:00 P.M. in New York in October. In the dim light, a shifting shadow hints that someone is either moving in or robbing the place.

Part of me wants to do the sensible thing: head to my apartment, fix some food, watch something trashy or something worth yelling at, and go to bed. But a much stronger, still-alien part of me insists I need to check out that truck. Unfortunately, that urge, and the lack of good food at home, win out.

Inside, I find Kevin wrestling with a table. It takes him a moment to notice me. “Well, if it isn’t my mentor.”