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Oh, let him not see her, not here, not now, please—
"Stella?"
She froze in mid-stride, swallowing at the sound of his voice. She readjusted the strap of her tote bag, pulling it tighter against her body, determined to project an air of carefree nonchalance, and carried on walking briskly without sparing him a backward glance. He called out her name again, but she refused to stop, refused to look at him, refused to acknowledge his presence. She'd had enough.
"Stel, wait," he said, but she was beyond listening. His sneakers scuffed against the sidewalk, trailing after the sharp click-clack of her high heels. "Damn it, Stella. Stop—c'mon."