Tensing slightly when Stephen's hand touched her shoulder, Padma turned to look at Stephen. "Thank you," she said softly.
It hadn't always been so hard to talk to Stephen, Padma thought. But then again, he hadn't been so.. well, handsome before. Although maybe he had been and she never noticed before.
Suddenly she wanted to be away from the table. And from Stephen. Padma pushed away and collected her plate from the table. "I'm going to pack up the rest of this."