“It keeps the story active.”
“I’m wearing it.”
Sophie held my gaze.
Then looked at Rachel.
Rachel raised both hands.
“I crossed several states. My authority is depleted.”
Sophie left.
I sat back down.
The room was quiet.
Rachel reached for one of the abandoned coffee cups, realized it was Sophie’s, and set it down again.
“You did well.”
“I annoyed Richard.”
“You do that well too.”
“I mean with Ellie.”
Rachel nodded.
“You said nothing.”
“That feels like a low standard.”
“It has not always been your preferred strategy.”
I looked at my phone.
No new messages.
“What if she doesn’t want to talk to me again?”
Rachel waited before answering.
“Then you’ll have to respect that.”
“I don’t like that answer.”
“It remains available.”
I stood.
“I need food.”
“There are sandwiches in the dressing room.”
“Triangles?”
“I asked.”
