They pulled apart at once.
He straightened. His hand dropped back to his side. Heat stayed on his face.
She looked down for a second. Then at the flowers. Then somewhere past him.
He stepped back.
"I'll see you at university," he said. "When you're out."
"Tomorrow," she said. "Maybe the day after."
"Don't rush."
"I won't."
She lifted her hand slightly.
"Thank you for coming."
Her eyes shifted to the sunflowers.
"And thank you for these."
Then back to him.
"Thank you for what you said."
He smiled and nodded.
"Your Welcome."
.
.
He was smiling at the pavement the whole metro ride home.
He noticed it when the doors opened at one stop. The reflection in the glass caught him mid-smile. He pressed his lips together. Looked away.
A minute later it came back.
The woman across from him glanced up. Her eyes lingered for a second. Then she looked down at her phone.
He didn't stop it this time.
He got off at his station and walked.
