I sat in the car for a few minutes after dropping her off. I donāt know why...I just wasnāt ready to leave.
Her name echoed in my head. Zora.
She said it so effortlessly, like a quiet melody. And now I couldnāt get it out of my head.
She wasnāt loud or overly friendly. She didnāt flirt or try to impress me. She didnāt even act like she was supposed to be there, sitting across from me with her hands folded politely and that unsure smile.
But thatās what got me.
Zora felt... real.
The restaurant lights danced in her eyes, but she kept looking around, unsure how to carry herself. And for someone who doesnāt āmingle,ā she sure held her own.
The business call came in during lunchāI answered, but I wasnāt really present. All I could think about was her. How she was probably wondering why I brought her there.
I wasnāt supposed to text her. But I did.
āStill thinking about that laugh of yours.ā
A minute later, she replied.
And that reply? It wasnāt forced. It wasnāt for show.
It was her.
And now, I know Iāll be texting her again.
Soon.