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thanks.” Joe’s voice was little more than a grumble, spoken while grabbing the remote control. “If I think of something, I’ll text.”
    Elias eyed their breakfast plates, thinking he should take them into the kitchen. Something told him not to. Elias had lost that privilege.
    â€œI…” He wanted to say I’m sorry , but the words wouldn’t come. “Goodbye.”
    â€œYeah.” Joe’s attention was on some news program on television. “Bye.”
    Elias refolded a sweater a customer had shaken open. The basement level was empty except for employees, emptier than a normal Wednesday morning. Maybe the shooting had been on the news and customers had decided to avoid downtown.
    Other than a quick conversation with the security guard when he started his shift, Elias had been alone most of the morning. Ash had called in sick—either shaken by the shooting or simply using it as an excuse to get off work.
    The sweater in his hands would look nice on Joe. Paired with a dark dress shirt, the hints of gold would bring out Joe’s eyes.
    Elias wondered what Joe was planning to wear to the wedding. That was easier than thinking about whether he and Joe would still be attending.
    Someone came down the steps, and Elias turned, hoping for a customer to distract him. It was Henri from the Shoe Department, smartly dressed in slacks that would have been too tight on a straight man but must draw every female eye around him. In Women’s Shoes that probably served Henri well, though Elias suspected Henri dressed that way regardless of whether he was working.
    â€œHey.” Henri waved. “It’s time for your break. I’ll take over down here since Ash is out.”
    Elias nodded, but he had a hard time returning Henri’s smile. “Yes. Thank you.”
    â€œYou okay?”
    â€œI suppose.” Elias wished he knew Henri better. Henri would know how to handle a man like Joe.
    â€œIs it about the shooting? You know, you could have taken another personal day. You still can if you need to.”
    Elias shook his head, wondering if he had the bravery to ask Henri’s advice.
    â€œYou sure? Is it man trouble then? Tell your boyfriend to chill, you went through a trauma yesterday.”
    â€œNo.” Elias raised a hand in protest. “I don’t have a… I mean, it’s not…” Elias had never shared his sexuality with Henri or anyone else on staff. After what had happened that morning, Elias wasn’t ready to make any admissions.
    â€œWell, anyway.” Henri carried on as if he was oblivious to Elias’s discomfort. “Tell whoever it is you have at home to go easy on you. You’ve been through a lot, and he can just wait patiently, fetching you cookies and milk until you’re feeling better.”
    Elias pressed his lips together so as not to laugh. “I don’t have anyone waiting at home.” Joe wasn’t waiting. Truly, they hardly knew each other. Elias was probably imagining some connection that wasn’t there.
    â€œAh, new guy not calling?” Henri’s sympathetic expression said he’d experienced that several times himself.
    For some reason, knowing he wasn’t the only one who wished for a text or phone call made Elias feel better. He shrugged and nodded.
    â€œWell, he’s crazy then. You’re beautiful and very nice. There are plenty more where he came from.”
    â€œWe were supposed to go somewhere this weekend, and now I don’t know…” Elias trailed off. He shouldn’t have said that much. Even to Elias’s untrained ears, he sounded pathetic.
    â€œAh…” Henri lifted an eyebrow. “The prearranged date that you aren’t sure is still happening. I know that scene.” He leaned in closer, as if the security guard sitting by the entrance would steal Henri’s dating secrets. “Here’s what you do: Wait until it’s a