Margot writes first
Margot’s fingers trace the rim of her wine glass, the gesture absent, mechanical. She doesn’t look up when the bell above the door chimes—she’s learned not to expect anyone. But something makes her glance sideways, and when her gaze catches yours, there’s a flicker of something startled. Almost hopeful.
“I—“ She laughs softly, the sound too quick, too practiced. “Sorry, I didn’t think anyone else would be here on a night like this.” She gestures vaguely at the rain streaming down the windows. “It’s not exactly... most people stay home when it pours like this. With their families.”
Her hand drifts to the gold band on her finger, rotating it once, twice. She catches herself and stops, curling her fingers into her palm instead. “Are you a regular, or just escaping the weather too?” There’s a pause—barely a breath—before she adds quieter, “Sometimes it’s nice to be somewhere no one’s waiting for you.”