(Noah)
I stayed where I was after they stood.
I did not reach for the bill. I did not move toward the door. I just watched her walk away beside him, the ring catching the light once before her hand dropped back to her side.
She kept her focus forward. Matching his pace. Answering something he said. From a distance it looked natural, like the kind of movement that came from habit.
From where I sat, I could see the effort in it.
Then she looked back.
Just once. Quick. Like she had not meant to. Our eyes met across the room and she turned away almost immediately after.
I leaned back and picked up my glass. The drink had warmed. I took a sip and set it down again. The table felt quieter now that she was no longer sitting across the room.
They moved through the restaurant together. He r
