Page 213 of Dark Heart
She fidgets in her chair.
“I didn’t know you were in the bathroom with him.”
“Him?”
“Abel.”
My mouth drops open. I stay like that for a moment before I laugh.
“Is that why you are so upset?”
“Partly,” she says quietly.
“But why?”
“I don’t want things to get awkward between us and you to think about firing me.”
“Why would I fire you?” I ask.
She shrugs, the corners of her eyes slanting down as if she is about to cry.
“People are not comfortable in that kind of situation.”
I push back a chuckle.
“I looked pretty comfortable, didn’t I?”
She studies my face.
“I’ve never caught anyone before,” she says.
“I’ve never got caught before either,” I say, amused.
Her face brightens with a smile.
“You overthink everything, Harper,” I say, flipping the lid of a different box open and pointing to a bunch of cupcakes.
“Help yourself,” I say.
I scoop one out while she peers at them hesitantly.
“Try one. It will make you feel better.”
She opts for a chocolate cupcake with a mound of buttercream icing. One bite later, she smiles, the butter smearing her lips.
I hand her a napkin.
“About that evening. You were saying...?” I murmur.
She looks at me.
“It feels awkward.”
I place my cupcake on a paper plate, chew on the moist cake, and swallow a small bite.
I stare blankly for a moment.
She reminds me of the way I used to be. Always apologizing for everything.
