Fake Date, Real Fate

Around noon, a soft knock pulled me from the stream of numbers on my screen.

The door opened a tiny bit. "Want me to grab you lunch?"

Her voice.

I didn’t look up. I couldn’t—not right now. I already knew that if I did, I’d lose whatever fragile focus I had left.

"I’m not hungry. Go ahead and take your break."

I heard her pause. Just a beat. Then—

"Alright."

The door clicked shut again.

****

The call ended with a final exchange of polite smiles. I tapped the screen of the tablet, ending the video meeting, and set it down with more force than necessary.

Another client satisfied. Another deal sealed.