SHAPES UNSPOKEN

- 14 -

HAPPY READING 🥰

Annabelle Inniss

He releases my hands and walks out the door with his luggage. I stand there, frozen in place, staring at the closed door as if he might suddenly reappear. A part of me expects him to walk back in like he did earlier, flash that crooked smile, and say he forgot something.

But the sound of the taxi driving off settles it.

He's really gone.

I don't move for a few seconds. The apartment feels different already-quieter, emptier. Then panic creeps in.

My phone.

What if he calls?

I hurry to the bedroom and grab it off the nightstand. Five missed calls from Jinette light up my screen. Guilt washes over me. I must have worried her earlier with my emotional breakdown.

I dial her number as I walk back into the kitchen to start cleaning up the lunch dishes.

"Anna, what the hell?" she answers on the first ring. "You had me so worried earlier. What happened?"

"Calm down, woman," I sigh, trying to sound casual. "I'm fine. Nothing happened. I was just an emotional wreck earlier, but I'm okay now."

"What happened? Was it work?"

"I didn't go into work today." I take a breath. "We have to talk. I... I met someone."

There's a pause.

"Did he do something to you? Tell me right now. I'm on the next flight out."

"Jin! He didn't hurt me."

"Then what did he do? Do I need to be there?"

"Will you listen? I'm not hurt. He didn't do anything to me-and he's on his way back home."

"Okay," she exhales. "I'm listening."

"Please don't be mad."

"Why would I be mad at you? Don't tell me it's John, Annabelle."

Oh boy. Full name. She's ready to explode.

"Hell no, it's not John," I say quickly. "It's Sean."

"Sean who?"

"Brian's friend Sean we met at the gala," I rush out in one breath.

"Girl, have you gone mad? Did he give you some magic pecker? I didn't get half of what you just said."

I laugh despite myself. "No, he didn't give me any pecker. It's Sean-Brian's friend. We connected at the gala and we've been talking ever since. He came to visit me this weekend. He just left."

Silence.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't want it to be awkward for you."

"Why would it be awkward for me? Sean is a great guy."

"Cindy is your friend too."

"Cindy is my friend," she says firmly, "but you're my best friend. She cut me off when she left. I tried talking to her, but she made her decision. I'm not getting between her and Sean. So tell me-this serious?"

I lean against the counter, staring at the sink.

"To be honest, Jin Jin... it feels serious. I'm catching all kinds of feelings for him. Some I can't even explain. He's so gentle with me. Not once did he try anything funny. Not once did he pressure me. I gave him all types of hard times, and he just... handled me."