Re: Diner: Seven & Marta
Something changed in the air between them, a shift across the table. Hello Formica, indeed. Marta knew it wasn't going to be this easy - some french toast and bacon - to make things right between them again. If they'd ever been truly right. She still wasn't entirely sure. But he looked good sitting there, and being across from him felt like where she was supposed to be.
Seven's 'extra crispy' made her smile grow wider - or maybe it was the turn-up of that so-familiar smirk. It cut through her with a slither of emotion that was too complicated to pin down in that brief second.
"Me neither," she replied, and it was awkward on her end. It came from knowing that he likely didn't get much time out because of Sawyer. The fact that there was no one else there to provide him a break. For the first time, the guilt that hit her was a different sort of flavor. One that was bitter with the realization that she'd altered his life completely and then hadn't stuck around to offer any sort of relief. If she'd stayed, maybe Seven could've still been going out to eat. Maybe he'd be going on dates.
Though maybe dates weren't entirely off of his table. She guessed that there had to be people out there that were patient and more than willing to connect with single parents and all the challenges that entailed. And there wasn't anything she could see about Seven that would be turning away dating possibilities. It took a moment, but she was able to swallow down the bitterhot bile of jealousy in the back of her throat. It was the farthest thing from what she was entitled to.
Her next smile was more of a challenge, a little more forced than her last had been. She watched as he picked at his sleeve, and then looked down as she shifted her weight, using palms on her ankles to pull them farther into her cross-legged position.