Anthea watched Vessara with a skeptical look. She sat across from Vessara, who had been pushing her food around the plate for the last fifteen minutes. The fries were cold. The burger bun had gone soggy. Vessara had not taken a single real bite. Instead, her fork moved in small, pointless circles through the ketchup.
Every minute, sometimes less, Vessara's eyes darted down to her phone lying next to the salt shaker. The screen was dark. No notifications. She would stare at it for two or three seconds, then pick it up, swipe the screen, put it back down face-up, then turn it face-down. Then she would pick at her food again. The cycle repeated.
Anthea leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms over her chest. She had seen this behavior for two weeks now. It was exhausting to watch.
"How long are you going to stay expectant of a call from that man?" Anthea asked. Her voice was flat, not unkind but direct. "It was a one-night stand."
