Change altitudes

Rowan picked up the phone.

"Hello?"

"Rowan, did you have dinner yet?" James asked, his voice gentle.

It seemed like James called just to check if Rowan had eaten.

Rowan, hearing James' normal tone, instantly relaxed. He walked back into the room from the porch and replied, "No, I was just about to invite you for dinner, but I noticed you haven't returned home yet"

She had another question she wanted to ask: why was he so anxious that he had to handle it at night?

However, upon reflection, she felt that her timing wasn't appropriate.

She chose different words, "Carry on with your tasks, don't worry about Bingo! Just let it stay at my place tonight, and I'll take care of it."

James wasn't overly polite in his response, simply saying, "Okay."

After a pause, he inquired again, "Aren't you curious about my pressing matter?"

Rowan answered honestly, "A little bit."

James smiled softly and remarked, "But I don't want to ask. I wouldn't want to misunderstand your concern for me."

Rowan felt a