The mood had shifted. No— It had cracked wide open and spilled everything rotten.
I wasn’t tasting the wine anymore and the music grated on my nerves. Roy’s kind, patient smile suddenly seemed like an unbearable weight pressing down on me.
He tilted his head slightly, watching me with that same unshakable calm that used to be reassuring. Now it came off as intrusive.
“You want to leave? I mean… Right now?”
“Yes please.”
“Are you okay?” He asked, soft but firm.
I forced an out-breath and nodded, rather too quickly. “I am fine.”
He didn’t buy it. “You don’t look alright.”
I gripped the edge of the table. “I said I’m fine, Roy.”
“Kim—”
“I said I’m fine,” I snapped. “God, must you always dig like a therapist who never got licensed?”
His eyes widened a little, but he didn’t flinch. “
