17

A small smile touched his lips as he perused Zee from head to toe, his eyes finally coming to rest on hers.

“Elizabeth, my, you look fantastic.”

Inara’s eyes traveled between Zee's and Michael’s face intermittently.

Zee’s eyes fell. “Thanks.” She responded, her voice slightly croaky as it came out with the hint of a wavering whisper.

“Fancy us meeting here. I see you even know Mrs. Arnold.”

Zee lifted her gaze back to his and gave him a slight nod while Inara smiled at him.

“We are best friends,” said Inara. “I’m surprised you know each other.”

“We do,” Michael responded, snaking an arm around Zee’s waist and pulling her close to his side. “She’s my girlfriend.”

Inara was confused for a moment as she looked from him to Zee. Didn’t Zee just say she was there on a date? “I thought you said…” she began but caught Zee’s entreating look and furtive shake of her head which told her not to ask the question she had been about t