Stella Sterling and Leah Rhodes agreed on a start date.
Then she got in the car.
On the way back, the fiery clouds at the horizon bloomed with a magnificent sunset glow.
Stella sat beside the man, stealing glances at him from time to time, an absentminded smile playing on her lips.
It turned out next Wednesday was the Qixi Festival.
In all her years, she'd only ever seen Qixi come and go; she'd never actually celebrated it.
Roman Rhodes had specifically told her that morning to keep her schedule free.
Stella mused, 'It's a festival for two. Shouldn't I also make a gesture?'
As the car headed toward the border crossing, the man's phone suddenly rang.
Stella didn't think much of it and continued looking up tips on her phone.
A moment later, Roman Rhodes's deep voice reached her ears. "I have plans on Wednesday. Move it earlier or postpone it."
Staring at her phone screen, Stella slowly perked up her ears.
'Who could be so clueless as to ask him out on Qixi?'
