question.” I screenshot both messages, forwarded them to Melissa, and silenced my phone.
The next morning, I was pouring coffee when Rachel approached me alone. She mentioned seeing me with my “friend,” then said Daniel had told her he did not know him. When she noticed Daniel watching us, her fingers tightened around the wooden stirrer before she told me I did not have to make things awkward.
I said I wasn’t, but Rachel insisted she and Daniel were only there for a relaxing weekend and were not interfering with whatever I was doing. Daniel then walked over, asked if everything was okay, and immediately asked me to speak privately. I refused twice.
Then Daniel lowered his voice and asked, “Who was that guy?” Rachel’s face went still as I asked why it was any of his business. Daniel had no answer, and I walked away while Rachel demanded to
