Iris picked up her ringing phone.
"Hi Zu."
"Hey! How's everything going?"
"So far so good. I've made a pizza tonight."
Zuri burst out laughing.
"A pizza? You serious? The guy pays a ridiculous sum to have you cook for him and you do pizza?!"
Iris held her hands up.
"Hey it was their choice! They just wanted something easy and simple."
"Unbelievable. You free for a run in the morning? I've actually got the morning off."
"Sure! That would be great. Be good to have a catch up and get my fat ass moving again."
"Stop it! Your ass has never been fat. I'll see you tomorrow. Usual place? 8.30?"
"8.30. See you then."
"Fucking $60,000 for a pizza."
Iris laughed.
"See you tomorrow Zu."
Lin put down the fall board on the piano and rubbed his eyes. He looked at the clock - 0110.
"Crap"
Another night that had run away from him. This project was certainly taking its toll. He yawned and walked quietly into the bedroom.
Gia already fast asleep. Her case packed and ready at the foot of the bed, the train due to leave at 0700.
Lin was still a bit baffled by the urgency of the meeting, he hadn't been told any further details since their disagreement earlier.
He didn't want her to go on a bad note. Hell, he didn't want her to go at all but didn't question any further, figuring he would find out more details when she got back.
He went to the bathroom and washed his face.
Sighing as he towelled dry he looked at his reflection, his eyes bloodshot and sore.
He could hear his parent's voices echoing in his head.
"Lin-Manuel you are no good to anyone if you aren't healthy. You need to take breaks. You need fresh air."
He made a mental note to have a day away from the piano.
He fleetingly thought of Iris and smiled. The way her cheeks flushed when he had winked at her earlier was so sweet. She was certainly beautiful.
"Lin! Seriously?!"
He chastised himself shaking his head,
turning off the light he crept quietly into bed.
Gia woke before the alarm went off.
She quietly moved around getting her final few things together, wincing as the wardrobe door creaked alarmingly loudly in the silence.
She turned and looked at Lin still sleeping, watching the rise and fall of his chest.
She contemplated waking him to say goodbye but decided against it, wanting to get out with as little fuss and questions as possible.
She knew he wasn't quite buying what she was saying, he wasn't stupid. There was no reason for the office to have a place in Philly, she had tried to be as vague as possible.
Her heart caught in her chest as she watched him. Maybe she should just wake him up and tell him everything. She took a couple of steps towards him. The sun just rising the light bounced off his face stopping her in her tracks.
Her phone suddenly vibrated, she fumbled with it quickly trying to silence the noise.
'You good x?'
She smiled at the message.
'Yep. On my way. See you later xx.'
She looked at Lin, resisting the urge to run her hand through his hair and quietly whispered.
"Bye Lin, I'm sorry."
