“I want to finish.”
“You don’t have to prove anything.”
“I’m not proving anything. I dislike leaving because a stranger asked a stupid question.”
“That sounds like proving something.”
“It may be a related activity.”
I smiled.
She held out her hand.
“Four minutes.”
I took it.
We returned to the carpet.
The final interviews stayed on the music. Ellie’s hand remained in mine, though she placed less weight on her left foot with every step.
As soon as we reached the corridor inside the theater, she leaned against the wall and removed both heels.
Sophie joined us.
“You made it.”
“I am never wearing these again.”
“They photographed beautifully.”
“They can continue wearing them in the photographs.”
Rachel appeared with a pair of flat shoes in one hand.
Ellie stared at her.
“You had those the entire time?”
“Emergency planning.”
“Why didn’t you give them to me in the car?”
“You said you wanted to try.”
“I was vulnerable.”
Rachel handed them over.
“I am protecting company assets.”
Ellie slipped on the flats and exhaled.
“This relationship may not survive your management team.”
“They improve with prolonged exposure,” I said.
Sophie looked at me.
