52
They stayed in the store until well after the sun had set, not bothering to lock the door in all that time but knowing that no one would come in. The slightest thrill of nudity in this almost public place made the encounter more interesting than it otherwise would have been. But still she insisted on parting ways on the street corner in the light rain without even a kiss on the cheek, as if there were any appearances to maintain.
She walked home alone, buzzing with the unfamiliar joy of a new secret. Of course, she would have told Bea if she had known where she was, and nothing was stopping her from gushing to Alexa or Drew or anyone else. But in a life where nothing important happened and where probably someone knew everything, it felt crucial to have something to keep to herself. Ev
