[for Mindy: dated 17th October]

[so_catholic]

It's a good thing Danny had found a gym so soon after arriving in Darrow. Without one, he's pretty sure he'd have had trouble even lifting Mindy's purse from her desk, let alone lugging it down a few flights of stairs, her coat slung over one arm. He's not sure what she carries in there and he has no desire to find out, but if it means she'll follow him downstairs faster, an aching bicep is a price he's willing to pay.

She had been with a patient when he'd left, so Amelia is tasked with ensuring Mindy not only gets the message but gets a move on too. She doesn't really know what's going on but there's been no doctor drama or slamming of doors, so she's counting today as a good day. So far, anyway.

She's a little tentative as she catches Mindy leaving phlebotomy.

"Doctor Castellano said to tell you he's waiting for you downstairs." She checks her notepad in her hands. "Also that he-- I'm quoting-- has your bag and will donate an item from it to a homeless person every thirty seconds that you're not there. He also said you have to use the stairs..."

Comments

[beyoncepadthai]

Mindy doesn't think that she could stomach dinner right now, and the piece of cake that she asks him to cut is pretty small, too. Well, for her. "That's fine," she says. "When. That's perfect, thanks."

She helps him ease the wedge onto a plate and she pokes at it with a fork for a few seconds, looking up at him every so often to see if he's still watching her.

[so_catholic]

"I knew you weren't fine," Danny says as soon as she starts poking at the cake. He doesn't cut himself any; instead he lowers the knife to the table and leans back in the booth, elbows resting behind him. As much as he doesn't want to discuss what just happened before he's had a chance to think about it, he also can't knowingly let Mindy be this upset if there's a possibility he can fix it quickly.

So before he's even considered everything, he continues, "Look, I get it, Mindy. There's New York City, delicious cake, it's about four degrees too hot in here, there's a little drizzle outside... You got caught up in a moment." He shrugs and waves a hand in her general direction, as if rationalizing the behavior of all women, not just her. "I get it. It's natural, it's only human. I coulda been anybody."

[beyoncepadthai]

"Yeah, I was just caught up in the moment," Mindy agrees, both grateful and annoyed for the reprieve. Part of her wants to forget the whole thing, the rest of her hates how easily he lets things slide. Still, she softens, starting at the cake in earnest because he'll never believe she's okay if she's not eating. "Really, it's fine. All of this is amazing. Thank you, Danny."

[so_catholic]

It had nothing to do with him. Just as he'd thought. Danny doesn't know whether he has the right to feel disappointed that she'd agreed with an explanation he himself had given, but he is. Undeniably so.

He hides it easily, eyes darting around the room before he dips his chin to his chest, his voice turning into a rumble from the constriction. "You're welcome. You deserve it. What're friends for."