Page 44 of Hometown Halftime

I laugh. “I don’t know that we’re close, but we’re getting along.”

He nods. “She let you into her apartment?”

“Yeah.”

“Riley, she doesn’t let anyone in her personal space that she doesn’t want there. Shit, it took me a year, and a broken garbage disposal, to have her let me into the kitchen.”

I run my hand down my face. “Knox, she’s my coworker. You don’t have anything to worry about.”

“I know. Just keep going at her pace, don’t rush her,” he says.

That makes me look up. “I wouldn’t—”

“I’m just giving you some insight,” he interrupts with a sly smile. “Doesn’t have to mean anything, just some information.”

Knox pushes up from the couch. “Check on her this afternoon. Don’t make it weird. Don’t smother her. Just…be there.”

“I can do that,” I say quietly.

He claps my shoulder. “I know you can.”

He heads to the door, pauses before opening it, and glances back.

“And Riley?”

“Yeah?”

“You’re not alone either. Don’t forget that we’re all here to support you.”

It’s been a few hours since Knox gave me his halftime speech, I’ve been to the gym and now I’ve reread the same paragraph of my Auditing Principles notes so many times I’ve lost count. None of it sticks. My mind keeps drifting to Kinsey.

The worry has taken up full-time residence in my mind, and eventually I give in.

RILEY:

How are you doing?

I stare at the screen, wondering if I’m being intrusive. But then the bubbles appear and I exhale.

KINSEY:

Alive.

I huff a small laugh. Not helpful, but very her. I type again.

RILEY:

What did you have for dinner?

There’s a longer pause before she types this time. Her answer makes me close my eyes.

KINSEY:

Triscuits.

Christ.

RILEY: