A Life Debt Repaid

Right after he did, Cordy sent a direct message to Zoe: [Can you calm down and see what Quinn has to say first? Sam worked hard for this surprise. Don’t ruin it for him.]

Zoe promptly replied: [Okay, okay. I won’t talk.]

Back in the group chat, Quinn typed: [You knew, Zoe?]

Zoe replied: [Knew what? No idea.]

Quinn then responded: [Then what was that supposed to mean?]

Zoe promptly thought of something. [I mean, Sam did change. He used to goof off, and now he’s doing so well at work! Jay’s been praising him from time to time just to mess with Bob, since Bob’s the one who’s done nothing of note yet.)

She went on at length just to change the subject and cover up her blunder.

Still, Quinn replied: [I don’t mean at work, although he’s improved a lot on that front. I’m talking about his personal life.]

Zoe responded: [Personal life? Isn’t it going well? You two are doing fine now, no?]

continued: [I might just

Zoe frowned. [Elaborate?]

paused in hesitation for several seconds before typing: [Sam and I almost did it the night

Zoe replied: [And?]

then typed: [Obviously, we didn’t do it. But I could tell that he really wanted to

then responded: [No need to go into

continued: [But it’s been days, and my period

before Zoe could. [Maybe he’s been really busy?

too, since he’s been leaving early and coming home late. But he wasn’t around when I tried to find him in the office today, and when I called, he lied,

since Sam was with them, picking a

then typed: [I think he’s

was just taking a sip of

was working from home as he had done most of the time these days, saw

he went over to her and rubbed her back. “Be careful. How

fine,” Zoe said, wiping her lips. “Go