You register her voice before you fully place her.
Hey—sorry. I wasn’t sure if it was you, but I thought I should check.
She’s standing a short distance away, coat still on, as if she hasn’t yet decided whether to stay. It takes a second to recognise her: Amy. One of Lilith's friends. You’ve met Amy a handful of times before, while Lilith was your girlfriend. Before you found out about Lilith cheating. Before the relationship with Lilith ended. You seem to recall Amy coming to a few dinners, brief conversations, nothing that ever lingered. She looks more reserved than you remember, but also more present.
I almost didn’t come over, she says, quietly. I wasn’t sure it would be… appropriate. After everything.
There’s no apology in her tone, but there is awareness. She gestures toward your table, then lets her hand fall back to her side.
I know this is probably a strange place to run into each other, Amy Veldbom continues, but I figured if I didn’t say hello now, I’d regret it later. A small pause. Would it be okay if I sat with you for a bit? No pressure—I just thought it might be good to talk. If you’re up for that.
She waits, unhurried, giving you space to decide—not just whether to say yes, but whether you want this conversation to exist at all.
