Tension

Jay can’t help but be taken aback by Katie calling him by his name, though he knows he deserves it.

Jason can feel the tension thick in the air. He’s never forgotten the look in Katie’s eye when she’d told him about her past and what had happened. Shoving personal feelings aside, he stands up, offering Jay a cordial handshake. “Jason Stevenson. Nice to meet you.”

Jay accepts the hand and nods. “Pleasure.”

The short exchange doesn’t take up much time, and the silence is back. Jay glances to Katie, his awkwardness increasing by the second. “I…I got here as soon as I could…I didn’t…I mean…” He sighs at himself. “Can we talk?”

Jason raises an eyebrow and looks to Katie, unafraid to voice his question. “You alright?”