Idolatry

Cole and Win didn’t talk during the drive which only took a few minutes. Cole led her into the bar and finding a quiet table by the window sat down on a low couch next to her. His arm sat along the low back of the couch behind her shoulders.

A waiter came and took their order and when he’d left Cole’s hand settled on her shoulder. Startled, Win nearly jumped out of her skin.

Cole smiled “why are you so nervous?” he said.

Win took a deep breath and without meeting his eyes, she said “because you’re you.”

“What does that mean?” he said his other arm reaching across her and picking up one of her hands.

Win looked down at their linked hands. While his fingers curled around hers, her fingers stuck straight out. She tried to relax them but she couldn’t.

Removing his other arm he folded her fingers over his and then draped his arm back behind her. “Are you afraid of me Win?” he said.

“Yes, no, sort of” she admitted.

“Why?” he said.

Win felt ridiculous. How could she explain that he was like an idol and she felt like she was doing something wrong by being with him?

“I don’t know” she lied.

He studied her in silence for a minute and then said “I think you do and I think you need to tell me.”

Win bit her lip and closed her eyes. “I don’t know how to explain it” she said.

“Try” he said.