Poking around in her noodles, D registered that apparently he had told Jack. Across from her, Joe straightened up and she could feel him look at her. She glanced over at him and found him giving her a crooked smile. “So, it’s all a bit of a mess right now.” He shrugged. “But you’re hardly the right

The abruptness of her movement in combination with the look she gave him, made him take a step back reflexively and just place the dishes on the counter. Raising his hands in surrender, he backed up and got out of her way. Her hands shaking, D grabbed the salad bowl that still had some salad inside

“I don’t know…” Joe said calmly, “maybe I’m even glad it still bugs you.” Her eyes darted up at him. He was running the very tips of his fork over the thick layer of cacao on his tiramisu, creating some wavy lines. “And about your question, how long I’m staying,” he said, picking up the conversat

There was a moment of silence. Watching her closely, Joe couldn’t help feeling a little aggravated. Even if there didn’t seem to be anyone else right now, what she had said in regard to Pete could mean pretty much anything. He wasn’t even quite sure how and why the relationship with Pete had ended.

After D had closed her bedroom door, Joe turned off the movie and flipped through the channels without being able to focus on anything. Somehow this evening had been a bit of a mess. He really couldn’t quite say what had made it so important to stay here, when it was purely his staying on the sofa