Two Kiras

Kira sneezed when she got in the taxi. Austyn scrunched his nose, his germaphobia acting up. But he still touched her forehead with one hand. ‘You have a cold.’ Then he added, ‘Serves you right.’ Kira shrugged and ignored him. She was feeling a little dizzy, but she didn’t think she was sick. ‘Take the day off. Go home and rest.’ ‘I’m fine,’ she said. ‘I don’t want to go home. I have work to do.’ Austyn scowled. ‘Work can wait.’ Kira offered him an ingratiating smile. ‘I’m fine, really. I took a couple of days off last week. I can’t do that again. The manager’s going to kill me.’ ‘Paul?’ ‘Uh-huh.’ Austyn took out his phone and typed a message. ‘I told him you’re not coming to work today.’ Kira stared at him, open-mouthed. ‘But you…you can’t do this!’ Austyn ignored her. The driver looked at the squabbling couple in the backseat and smiled. ‘Where are you two lovebirds headed off to?’ Kira blushed. She and Austyn were not lovebirds! She opened her mouth to explain, but Austyn got there