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take the subway back. She groaned. She wanted to be in bed, warm and bundled rather than outside dodging characters and strangers on a long trip home.
    Stella got home to her studio apartment shortly before 1:00 AM. She pulled off her clothes and rushed to put her flannel pajamas on. In bed, she rolled up in the blankets and hugged a satin pillow, thinking of Campbell and his tongue and lips. She squeezed her eyes shut as if closing them could blot out thoughts of him. She was scared. She admitted that to herself. Campbell had approached her with desire but Stella, deep down in her soul, did not think she was desirable. She had thought of Ben, sweet Ben, but the thought was foolish since he had never approached her beyond simple exchanges. In her dreams, Ben desired her. In life, Campbell had desired her and it made her skittish. Stella flopped onto her back and stared out the window. I'll sort this out tomorrow , she thought.
    On Monday, Stella bought two bagels and two coffees and brought them into the law firm. She walked down the long hall adorned with paintings of the partners and knocked on Ben's door. He was sitting at his desk littered with bulging file folders. He didn't look up.
    "Hello?" Stella's voice cracked.
    Ben’s eyes moved upward. He grinned. “Hi Stella.”
    “I brought you a bagel and coffee.” Stella extended her arms like she was offering up something to a deity.
    “Well, that was nice of you. Just what I need. This case is kicking my butt.”
    “You certainly work hard.” Stella wasn’t sure what to say to Ben. She felt nervous.
    “Have to if I want to make partner. Hey, what do I owe you for the treat?”
    “Oh, you don’t owe me. My treat.”
    “So nice. I’ll treat you tomorrow.”
    Stella smiled happily. “People might think we have something going on.”
    Ben laughed loudly. “Imagine. Maybe the demon boss lady will get jealous. That Gwen's something.”
    Stella blushed and Ben ran a hand through his thick hair. “Are you going to the firm cocktail party next week?” asked Stella.
    “Have to. Mingling makes you partner. Are you?”
    “Yes. Looking forward to it. Never been to Cafe Carlyle.”
    Ben smiled and nodded and then his eyes wandered to the window where the steel canyon of Wall Street buildings jutted up like monsters in a sci-fi movie. He looked distracted. Possibly bored , thought Stella.
    “I’ll let you get back to your work.” she smiled.
    “Thanks. Have a nice day. The bagel and coffee are much appreciated. I will treat you tomorrow.” Ben looked down at the file in front of him and sipped the mocha latte that Stella spent almost six dollars on.
    “Bye.” Stella waved but Ben didn’t notice. He was absorbed in his work.
    Stella walked to her desk with her head hung low. She had failed to impress him. For some reason, she thought coffee and a bagel might let Ben know she was interested, that she wanted a June wedding in the Hamptons and that she wanted to name their babies Raven and Thatcher. A delivery of breakfast meant an invitation to commitment. Didn’t Ben realize that? A delivery of breakfast meant, save me from the embarrassment and confusion of Saturday night . Stella sorted out nothing on Sunday. She woke late and went to the library where she meandered through the shelves. She wanted to find a book that would help resolve the tension inside her. Jane Eyre, Mrs. Dalloway, The Art of War, Goodnight Moon. Nothing could calm her. She wanted to be writing her grand romance. Dashing off pages. Writing for her financial independence. Instead, she was roaming the library hoping to understand what happened, why it happened and why she felt a zing of desire every time she thought of Campbell Royce. Campbell Royce.
    Stella squinted her eyes. Maybe if she squeezed her eyes her brain would shrink and Campbell and Ben would disappear from her conscious mind.
    “What are you doing?”
    Stella looked up. Gwen was standing in front of her desk. “I...I have a