Me:Working. Coffee shop. Needed to get out of the house.
Dorian:Which coffee shop?
Me:Common Grounds.
Pause. Then:
Dorian:You're watching them.
Me:I'm working.
Dorian:Corvus.
Me:Fine. I'm watching them. But I'm staying in the car. I'm not interfering. I'm observing.
Dorian:That's still creepy.
Me:I'm aware.
Dorian:Come home.
Me:Soon.
I don't go home. I watch them finish their coffee. Watch Ben try one more time to take her hand. Watch her shake her head, gentle but firm. Watch them hug goodbye—this one more awkward, more final.
Watch Ben leave first, walking past my car without seeing me.
Watch Vespera sit alone, her expression complicated. Relieved? Sad? Both?
She pulls out her phone. Types something.
My phone buzzes.
Vespera:I know you're watching. Blue Tesla across the street. Very subtle, Corvus.
Shit.
Me:I can explain.
Vespera:Can you?
Me:I was working. Needed coffee. Complete coincidence.
Vespera:You hate Common Grounds. You always say their espresso is "pedestrian."
Double shit.
Me:I'm trying it again. Maybe my palate has evolved.
Vespera:Get your evolved palate in here. We're having a conversation.
I consider fleeing. Seriously consider it. Starting the car and driving away and never admitting to this monumentally creepy lapse in judgment.
But she knows I'm here. She saw me. Running would only make it worse.
I grab my laptop and cross the street.
She's still at the table by the window, empty coffee cup in front of her, expression unreadable.
