Thea's open palm remained halfway between us while museum visitors crossed the courtyard. I checked the agreement from memory, then answered the woman asking rather than the rules surrounding her. The physical choice still belonged to both of us inside every approved boundary.
"Yes, this much," I said, placing my hand against hers after confirming I wanted the contact too.
Her warm fingers closed gradually around mine rather than pulling my body closer. The first pressure felt careful, while the warmth of her palm made the entire date more openly romantic than four hours of conversation had managed.
"Is that comfortable?" Thea asked, keeping her thumb still across my hand.
"Yes," I replied, then returned the question before we started walking.
"Yes," she said, tightening her fingers enough to remove uncertainty.
