43

You realize it's just past noon, and as you see people starting to stream out of work to grab something to eat, you remember the one thing you had planned for this lunchtime. Wasting no more time, you head straight towards Skippy's.

When you get there, you find the place even busier than the other night—but it's been so transformed, it might as well be a different place. Now the black curtains that covered the walls have been pulled back to reveal intricately painted murals, and with tables filling every available space, the whole room bubbles with chattering voices. Still, not so busy that you can't spot Marlowe sitting at a table in the corner.

"Hey!" they call as they spot you, their grin equal parts nervous and excited. You notice that they've styled their hair a little differently today, and it really suits them.

When you reach the table, Marlowe stands up excitedly and kisses you.

"It feels like forever ago that I saw you last," they say. "I was just about to get a drink—what do you want?"