He elevated his language just enough, creating a comfortable distance, to go back to being friends—without being mistaken for strangers.

“I thought you’d like it,” he replied, his smile now detached, pulling away emotionally. “I bought one for my best friend and thought of your obsession with Office Space too.” He elevated his language just enough, creating a comfortable distance, to go back to being friends—without being mistaken for strangers. In reality, Ray had thought of Malia first, and bought the stapler for his friend as an afterthought. He’d spent a couple of weeks racking his brain, trying to come up with a gift that would be politically correct for a girl with a boyfriend, but still feel personal. A freaking stapler,” he shook his head.