The first month of our "new normal" is awkward.
Marcus and I meet for coffee once a week. Neutral locations. Time limits. Deliberately structured to keep things from slipping back into romantic territory.
"How was your week?" he asks on our third coffee date.
"Good. The foundation launched a summer program. Twenty kids are getting intensive art training."
"That's wonderful. You must be proud."
"I am. How's the business?"
"Busy. We're expanding into renewable energy. It's complicated but exciting."
We sound like strangers making small talk.
Lily notices when I get home. "How was it?"
"Polite. Distant. Weird."
"Give it time. You're building a new relationship from scratch. That takes time."
"What if we can't do it? What if the only way we know how to be is romantic or nothing?"
"
