The Real Question

Lisa

My heart skipped a beat, and I froze, the fork suspended halfway to my mouth. I scanned the restaurant, but everything seemed normal—diners chatting, waiters bustling about. Yet, the nagging feeling wouldn't leave me. Klaus was here. I could feel it in every fiber of my being.

"Lisa? You okay?" Steven's voice pulled me back to the present.

"Uh, yeah. Just...a little distracted," I replied, forcing a smile. I couldn't let Steven suspect anything. Not now. This was my first attempt at a normal human date, and I couldn't afford to make it weird both for myself and for Steven.

"Are you sure? You look like you've seen a ghost," he pressed, concern etched on his face.

"I'm fine, really," I insisted, trying to shake off the unease. "Just a bit tired from work."