For Nicole

“I may not have been completely truthful earlier,” you say.

“Why is that?” Daphne asks.

“Well, how to put it delicately,” you say, thinking hard about the best way to phrase it. Then, deciding to just go for it: “You think there’s any chance that Nicole’s into me?”

“So it is like that,” Daphne says. The smile on her face indicates that she finds something about this situation amusing. “Well, since you ask, I will give you my honest assessment. I believe she might be interested in you. But I am getting in your way. Cock-blocking, you call it, right?”

“No, not at all,” you say. “You probably don’t get many chances to see your friend. You should spend some quality time with her.”

“Which is why you came along tonight,” she says, and then seeing the guilty expression on your face, she continues: “Oh, I was only teasing you. Nicole and I talk all the time. It was nice to see her tonight, but to be honest, I was not planning to stay late.”

“So… what did I miss?” Nicole says, emerging from the bathroom. “Did you two finally get it out of your system?”

“Things are not like that between us,” Daphne says. “You bet on the wrong horse tonight.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Nicole says, and then she catches herself. “Oh, I see. I do like being wrong sometimes.”

“Thank you for the pie, Nicole, it was lovely,” Daphne says, as she gets up from the table. “But I should head back to our AirBnB for the night. It has been a long day and I find myself fading.”

“So soon? You’re absolutely sure you don’t want another slice?” Nicole says, gesturing at the half of the pie that still remains.

“I have had my fill,” she replies. “Too sweet, remember?”

“You wound me,” Nicole says, putting a hand over her chest. Then, she turns to face you. “So, Alex. Are you heading out with Daphne too?”

“I’d love to stay for another slice of pie,” you say. “It’s absolutely delicious, and such a crime to let it go to waste.”

“See, this is a man that knows how to enjoy good hospitality,” Nicole smiles.

She heaps another slice onto your plate, while Daphne slips on her shoes and opens up the door.

“Have a good night,” your captain says, and the two of you bid her goodnight as well.

All of a sudden, you’re painfully aware of the silence between the two of you. Nicole picks at her plate, looking at you curiously.

“She left abruptly,” Nicole says, glancing at you. “And you’re still here.”

“There was something else that I wanted to ask you,” you say.

“Is that right?” she asks, leaning towards you.

“I thought you might have some interesting photos to share with me,” you say. “Or perhaps… you’d be interested in taking some. To capture your essence, as you said.”

“Ah,” Nicole says, the smile on her face growing wider. “That’s a fine suggestion. You do know there’s only one way to get to know a person well, right?”

“Why don’t you show me how?” you reply.