The air was cool and quiet in his office.
It had a subtle scent of ionized air and polished wood which was very different from the earthy damp smell of the park bench where he had begun his day.
Fred was sitting behind a big spotless mahogany desk staring at a wall of monitors that showed a grid of high-definition silent feeds.
He had finished his professional restart as he had referred it to Annabel.
The sensation of her weight, that lovely burden persisted in his shoulder even after he had placed the sweater in his closet.
The word came back to him clear and simple. Friend.
Taking his desire out of the equation, it felt like a tiny exact cut. He had wanted to voice the ideas that had been yelling in his head and to challenge it.
“I don't want to be your friend. I want somethi
