My eyes go immediately to the door of Kent’s office at the bottom of the stairs, which is – as I hoped – still standing wide open, light spilling out of it. When I get to the landing I cross to the door as quietly as I can, peeking inside.
He’s there, as I knew he’d be, though he’s never in there this late. Kent is giving me every opportunity to do precisely what I’m doing: swallowing my pride. I watch him as he leans over his desk, looking at something on his computer, his face turned a little away from me.
And, still a little angry that he’s making me do this, I lean myself against his door frame, my arms crossed over my chest, and I wait.
Kent glances towards the door as he turns his face away from his computer and he freezes a little when he sees me standing there in silence. And
