“Well,” he said, his voice faint over the pounding of his heart. His hands left clammy smears on the diner table, the cold condensation of the water glass doing nothing to cool him down.

“Well,” he tried again, clearing his throat. Already, he’d fucked this up. No way was this coming off as casual and lighthearted as he’d planned. When he dared to glance over, it was to furrowed brows and an unc...

There were many ways Khadija could explain why she’d never noticed, never figured it out until that very first date.

Of course, in hindsight, it seemed insanely obvious and slightly silly. So, to make herself feel better, she’d tell herself that it was understandable, excusable even, since she was:

1) dealing with the worst friendship breakup she’d had in a long time. The last one had been in p...

“-And that’s why I wanted Carol involved, if she were here, this would’ve never-“

“Right, right.”

Any moment now, he knew that, amidst the volley of airborne books, pillows and plants flying behind her head, the couch wouldn’t be far off.

“-she would’ve been on this waaaayy before it could even get close to this point, you know?”

An emphatic nod. A hum. Strong eye-contact.

Keep your eyes on ...