My face falls."Shit, I'm sorry. I didn't check to see if you replied."
I thrust the container out to her."Here, take it. My mother will have my head if she finds out I never gave any to you. You can have it later as a snack ortomorrowmorning for breakfast. I'll let you go back to bed."
She takes the cake and sighs."Charlie–"
"Hey, no. It's okay."Ikissher forehead."I overstepped and now I'm going to fix it byleaving. Grab some rest and we'll hook uptomorrow."
"I'm sor–"
"No, don't worry about it."I flash her a smile toshowher I'm not disappointed, even though I am. But my feelings aren't what matter right now."Tomorrow. I'll call you. Okay?"
She nods and Iwalkaway. The door clicks shut behind me and I ride the elevator back to the garage.
The next day, I'm on edge at work. It's now the sixth day of not being withPalmer, and the withdrawal symptoms arestarting. I can't focus on the work at hand and end up cutting and re-cutting the same thirty-second Reel fifteen times. All I picture isPalmer, looking like a beautiful wreck last night. She said she'd had a roughpractice, but when I look in on thefieldtoday, everything is going well. I wait for abreakwhen she can remove her helmet so I can see for myself she's feeling better, and when it finally happens, when I can put eyes on her flushed but smiling face, I return to the office.
Around noon, I receive a text fromPalmer.
Palmer
Hey, I'm sorry about last night.
Me
No, I'm sorry for just showing up. Hope you were able to get some rest
Palmer
I did. I'm feeling a lot better. Andthankyour mom for the cake. It was a delicious breakfast this morning.
Me
LOL Told you
Me
Do you want to get togethertonight? I wanna hear how your parents reacted to your new look
Palmer
Dad didn't say anything. Mom sure did, but she restrained herself to only one snide comment.
Me
Sounds like progress.Dinnerand a movie later?
Palmer
I have another idea...pickme up at 6!
Me
6 it is
The rest of my day gets better, untilLibertycorners me in thebreakroom. She sidles up beside me as I wait for my coffee to brew. She flips her hair over her shoulder and peeks around, as if to ensure we'realone. No one is in the room with us, but the walls are glass, and anyone can see inside, which is the only reason I feel relatively safe in her presence.
"Are you still seeingPalmer?"sheaskswithout preamble.
Iruna hand through my hair and sigh."I'm tired of this,Liberty. I can't keep having the same argument with you. My personal life is none of your business. Period. Full stop. If you don't stop harassing me about it, I'm going to have no choice but to go to Kathryn."
