Robert called on a Wednesday evening, just as Dodo was about to settle into editing an NGO newsletter she didn’t care for but needed to finish. His name flashed on her screen, and instead of annoyance, her heart did something strange—it flinched, then fluttered.
She answered too quickly.
“Hey,” she said, adjusting her voice to sound casual. “You’re calling. That’s brave.”
He chuckled. “Was hoping to be braver in person. Can I take you out again?”
She didn’t even pretend to hesitate. “When?”
---
Saturday Afternoon – A Park Café in Morningside
They chose outdoor seating under the jacaranda trees, where couples laughed and toddlers spilled juice over croissants. Robert looked relaxed, in a white tee and jeans, his energy easy and open. Dodo had tried on four different outfits and still
