The morning after the business gala felt wrong.

Like the world decided to pretend nothing happened last night.

I arrived early. I always do.

But today, I could not sit still.

I removed my jacket, rolled up my sleeves, tried to distract myself with the quarterly numbers with an executive.

It did not work.

The elevator opened, and she stepped out.

Her eyes found mine.

And I felt it again, that split second of recognition that hit harder than it should.

I looked at her.

...