Right Time

Lyra's hand stills on the second Lyra's hip, and she says, 'Not now, but soon.' The second Lyra nods, and they step apart. Lyra pulls out her phone and texts Nova: 'Lunch?' The reply comes back with a warehouse address and a string of emojis. They leave the apartment together, walking into the city's noon hum, and find the two Novas at a food truck, the two Rinas laughing at the taco cart, the two Seras sharing a bench with books—each pair reaching for the other like it's the most natural thing in the world.