Maria:
I don’t call Daniel.
I unlock my phone, stare at his name until the screen dims, then lock it again. Walk a few steps down the sidewalk. Come back. Stand there like I forgot something important.
I didn’t.
I just don’t want to hear his voice yet.
It feels like it would… settle something. And I’m not ready for anything to settle.
So I text Lily instead.
“He asked if I’m choosing him. Noah.”
“I didn’t have an answer.”
The reply is immediate.
“Maria.”
Then:
“That’s not small.”
I lean my forehead briefly against the car window. The glass is warm from the sun, and I close my eyes for a second, letting the heat press into my skin.
I don’t know what I feel.
She starts typing. Stops. Then:
“That’s worse.”
Before I can respond, another message comes in.
Daniel.
“Where are
