Max was late for work. He exited the subway and broke into a run, weaving his way down the crowded street and trying not to crash into anyone. (Because that could not happen today. There was no time for the consequences.)

Meg was also in a hurry. She was supposed to be at the furniture store to meet her client, but then she forgot the carpet samples on the bus, and she was so flustered that she didn’t even see Max until she slammed into him.

There was a flash of light so bright and brief Meg thought she imagined it. But then Max glared at Meg, and suddenly, she heard an angry male voice in her head. Fuck! it raged. Watch where you’re going!

Max pushed past her furiously, and Meg flinched as the voice continued to rant. No time to fix this, she’ll have to live with it. He looked back at her with a smirk, and the voice said crudely, Wonder if the carpet matches the curtains.

Meg frowned as she watched him hurry away. The carpet did match the curtains, but she had forgotten the fabric samples.