Some Talk

"Hm," I hummed, nodding once.

"But why?" she asked, frowning slightly. "What's that got to do with whatever's bothering you, Alex?"

Her friendly, easy tone from earlier was gone now. This was sharper, like she was sizing me up. Her eyes narrowed just a bit, searching my face for answers. The air between us felt heavier, charged with something unspoken.

"So… does it still burn hot at night like it used to?" I blurted out, unable to stop myself.

"…What?!" she gasped, her voice jumping an octave.

Her mouth dropped open, and her cheeks flushed pink. The coffee cup nearly slipped from her hand, but she caught it at the last second, clutching it tighter. 

I'd clearly crossed a line—too fast, too rude—but for someone like me, born single and clumsy with words, this was the only way I knew to break through.

Silence stretched between us, thick and awkward.