Lucas
The problem wasn't that Amy was becoming important.
The problem was that she already was.
That realization followed me home.
It sat beside me during dinner.
Waited while I answered emails.
Lingered while I stared out at the Detroit skyline.
Refusing to leave.
Because for the first time...
I wasn't wondering if I should tell her.
I was wondering how.
And that was somehow worse.
My phone buzzed.
Noah.
Again.
I considered ignoring it.
Briefly.
Then answered.
"What?"
"You sound cheerful."
"I'm hanging up."
"Wait."
I sighed.
"What?"
Noah's voice softened.
"You okay?"
The question caught me off guard.
Not because it was unusual.
Because it was genuine.
And genuine questions were becoming increasingly dangerous.
"I'm fine."
A pause.
Then:
"That's not an answ
