Right in the middle of their lunch date at Isabelle's favorite sushi restaurant, Rayleigh's phone started to buzz against the table. Matthew's name flashed on the screen. For a heartbeat, she hesitated.
The smell of vinegared rice and fresh fish filled the air; Isabelle's beautiful smile was the kind of soft, unguarded smile Rayleigh had always loved to see since the first time they met on that first-class airplane. And how cheerful she is right now, Rayleigh wanted to stay in that moment a little longer. But something, a quiet pull in her chest, told her to answer.
"Yeah, hello?" she said, her voice careful.
"Dude, what are you doing? Why did it take so long for you to answer?" Matthew's voice came sharp and restless, like it always did when he was trying too hard not to sound worried.
Rayleigh closed her eyes. "Have you ever thought that maybe I'm doing surgery right now?" She replied, the irritation in her tone half real, half habit.
