16 -- 00-33-1226-04 Min | Loving Ladies 2024 01

The timestamp glowed faintly on the dashboard of Mina’s old Subaru: .

Mina’s eyes stung. She blinked it away.

2024-01-16 – 00:33:12

“I’m glad it’s still the 16th,” Elara said suddenly. “I was afraid I’d sleep through the whole day.” Loving ladies 2024 01 16 -- 00-33-1226-04 Min

Elara ordered hash browns. Mina ordered a pecan waffle and a side of bacon.

Elara.

Her head was tilted against the window, a thin drool trail connecting her lower lip to the collar of her oversized flannel. They had driven eight hours straight from a music festival in Tennessee, fleeing bad weather and a bad conversation with an ex who’d shown up uninvited. Mina had insisted on driving the whole way. “You rest,” she’d said. “I’ve got you.” The timestamp glowed faintly on the dashboard of

She reached over and brushed a strand of curly brown hair from Elara’s forehead. Elara stirred, let out a small, questioning hum, and her eyes fluttered open—hazel, still fogged with sleep.

“Thank you for tonight. For the 16th.”

They sat like that for a while, hands interlaced, watching the steam rise from the Waffle House’s chimney. A trucker ambled inside, bell jingling. A stray cat crossed the parking lot, tail high. 2024-01-16 – 00:33:12 “I’m glad it’s still the

“Come on,” Mina said, squeezing Elara’s hand and letting go. “Let’s get you some carbs.”

“Always,” Mina said. And she meant it.

“Where…?” Elara whispered, her voice gravelly.