“Well, that’s no good—we’re going to have to do something soon.” Beth paused for a moment. She had been thinking about Mira a lot over the last couple weeks, and that fact coupled with a fresh reminder of her own mortality had her feeling a bit more forward than usual. “Mira... there’s something I’ve wanted to say to you for the past week or so, and I’ve been trying to work up the nerve.” She looked away for a brief moment and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “Basically, I don’t know if you’re interested in women at all, but... I really enjoy spending time with you. I think you’re very sweet, and intelligent, and just beautiful. I was wondering if you’d like to go on a date?” Beth blushed—she was usually a confident person, but when it came to romance she did have a bit of a shy streak. There was also a nagging little feeling of shame, of wondering if it was really the right time to take a step like this. But Beth suspected that feeling would still be there even if she waited a decade—it was worth struggling to try to be happy again.