Page 47 of Paradigm

“I don’t need to be set up,” Enya said.

“Fine, but I’ve seen her picture – you’re missing out.”

“Oh, she is, is she?” Sarai teased her girlfriend.

“Yes, she is. I’m not.”

“Nice one,” Sarai replied with a laugh.

“If you don’t want to be set up, and you hang out with us all the time and work when you’re not doing that, how are you going to meet someone?” Arlowe asked.

Eline had been watching Gabi and Sarai across the table, who were making eyes at each other, and she’d been thinking about how much she wanted that for herself when Arlowe’s arm moved over the back of the booth just like it had years ago, and while they still weren’t touching, it was something. It might have been Arlowe just trying to get comfortable, but it also could’ve been a sign of something to come.

When the waiter walked over with Eline’s beer and set it down on the table, Eline thanked him and tried not to draw any attention to the fact that Arlowe had shifted a few inches closer and that their thighs were currently touching. She took a long pull from her beer and mostly listened to the friends pick on Enya, who had a defense for everything they tried to throw at her. Then, Eline couldn’t help but yawn after nearly finishing her beer, and she noticed Arlowe staring at her with that little smile she had when she thought that something was cute. That meant Arlowe thought that she was cute.

“What?” Eline asked.

“You’re exhausted.”

“Yes,” she said with a little laugh.

“Do you need to go home?”

“Probably, but I don’t want to go. Does that make a difference?”

Arlowe nodded and said, “Want me to walk you to your car?”

“I didn’t drive. I was too tired, so I took an Uber here.”

“I can drive you home,” Arlowe offered.

“You’re hanging out with your friends.”

“We only came here because I wanted to hang out with you,” Arlowe stated.

“What?”

Arlowe looked away and said, “Hey, I’m going to take Eline home. She’s had a long week and needs to sleep. Can one of you drop Enya off? If not, I’ll come back and get her after.”

“We’ll take her,” Sarai replied. “I wanted to get a box of my stuff from the garage anyway, and I keep forgetting.”

“Great. Thanks,” Arlowe said. “Can you guys take care of the check? I want to get her home before she passes out in this booth.”

“We’ve got it,” Violet said.

“Thanks. I’ve got next time,” Arlowe stated. “Come on, sleepy. Let’s get you home.”

“Sorry, I’m so tired. I really wanted to stay longer,” Eline told the group.

“No problem. We’ll see you again soon,” Sarai replied.

“I hope so,” she said.

Arlowe nodded for her to slide out of the booth then, so Eline stood and waited for her to join her. When Arlowe placed her hand on the small of her back to guide her toward the door, Eline wanted to reach for her hand, take it in her own, walk out holding on to her, and never let go this time. Once they got on the street, Arlowe kept her hand there, and she gently nudged Eline around the building and toward her car.

“Maybe I should’ve invited you out another time,” Arlowe suggested when she stopped walking to unlock the doors with her key fob and even opened the door for her.

“No, I wanted to come out with you and your friends tonight. I’m glad I did,” she replied and climbed into the car.