“Tomorrow?” Luke says, and feels time unfurl in front of him in endless loops. How long will he be expected to do this?
“He’s sleepy in the afternoons,” Matt explains.
Hal moves toward him. “Hey I gotta take a shower, and then I’m heading in to the office with Matt. I can drop you off at home on my way.”
Luke shakes his head, manages to clear it some. “No, it’s fine. I’d rather walk.”
Hal frowns, expression concerned. “If you’re sure…”
“Sure.”
“Okay. Well.” He scratches at the back of his neck, pecs and biceps bunching up beneath his damp shirt. “I’ve got a spare key for you.”
“You don’t have to.”
“I want to give it to you,” Hal insists. He offers a smile. “We can have dinner out somewhere, after I’m off duty.”
“That’ll be great.” Luke gives him a smile he knows to be fake, but Hal doesn’t seem to mind, returning it.
“Great.”
Tara chokes on the orange slice in her mouth and her sister thumps her on the back. Luke’s never heard such a fake choking in his life.
