Gospel

The silence that stretched between Abigail and Jamal was anything but comfortable as they ate.

Abigail kept her head down, focused on cutting a piece of steak, but she felt Jamal's eyes on her.

Again.

This had been happening for the past ten minutes. He would steal glances at her when he thought she wasn't looking, and the moment she lifted her gaze, he would turn away.

She told herself she was imagining it.

But then, she felt it again— that quiet intensity of his stare like an imprint on her skin.

Slowly, she lifted her head, only to catch him in the act.

Jamal was watching her.

This time, he didn't look away.

Instead, he turned fully toward her, setting his fork down. His voice was casual, but there was something careful about the way he asked, "Have we met before?"

Abigail froze and her heart slammed against her ribs, but she forced her expression to stay neutral.