“Are you two a couple?” Colette sipped her coffee, watching them.
“Uh, no.”
“Sorry.” She widened her eyes, setting her cup down. “I really thought—I mean, because of the banter and—”
“It’s okay.” Syd cleared his throat. “Don’t worry about it. So, what happened that summer?” He shot Rudi a quick glance. “Rudi says you reported losing forty-four minutes of your life, minutes you can’t remember?”
“I didn’t exactly lose them. Those minutes were taken from me. From Phil, too. And…I really do apologize for assuming about you two.”
“It’s fine. Don’t worry about it.” Syd picked up his cup. “I’m gay. He’s gay. You assumed. Who took those minutes from you?”
Colette exhaled, hesitating.
“Hey, it’s all right,” Rudi said, leaning in to touch her hand on the table. “Remember who you’re talking to
