The woman's friend got between Niki and Trevor.

     She got a good, hard look at Trevor and saw nothing particularly threatening. Still, 

     Who was this guy?

     More to the point, where did her wife know him from, because she obviously knew him.

     Malika had never seen Niki so pale before.

     Trevor and Niki got one last look at each other, then Trevor continued on his way.

     "You want to tell me what just happened?" Malika asked.

     "I...I..." Niki looked like someone had punched her in the gut to knock the wind out of her.

     That concerned Malika. From the moment they met, they recognized and fell for the personal power of the other. They'd been together eight years, four married, and Malika rarely saw Niki frightened. 

     Yet, now...

     Niki looked out at the world as if intimidated by ​everything.

     Reset, Malika thought.

     "Our food's getting cold," she said. "We don't have to wait until we get home to eat. Let's go back inside."

     Niki responded with a confused, blank stare.

     "I...I think I need to sit down."

     "That's what I'm saying. Come on. Take my hand." 

CONTINUE