“Yes, it was.” I shifted on my feet more, and now that we weren’t fighting, I felt that odd shyness once again. He just seemed so big. He sort of sucked all the air out of the room. “So, um, you saw the schedule I emailed over, right? We leave for fittings in New York on Monday?”

He nodded. “Yes. I’ll be ready.”

“Okay. Good. Charlie’s coming too, so it’ll be the three of us.”

A troubled expression moved over his features. “By the way, why didn’t Charlie come over to check out the patio?”

“He’s out of town for work. He left a few hours ago.”

“It must be hard,” he said, “spending so much time in different cities.”

I gave a small shrug. “It’s worth it. And it won’t always be this…intense,” I said, giving a small laugh. Charlie was at the height of his career and my own was just beginning to take off. There would be a time when our lives didn’t revolve around constant ladder climbing and social engagements. There would be a time when we could afford to say no to some things, and yes only to that which set our souls alight. Creatively speaking.

He was looking at me that way again, as though he heard something I wasn’t saying. I didn’t like it. It made me feel exposed. “So, you’re pretty serious, then, I take it?”

His question surprised me. Or rather, the fact that he’d asked it surprised me after I’d just been thinking about how, up to this point, he’d seemed to avoid any personal connection.

“Yes,” I said. “Very serious.” We hadn’t talked marriage or kids or anything, but I could see it going that way…a few years from now. Again, when life ceased to be as intense as it currently was.

Something flitted over his face once more, but before I could attempt to read Tuck’s expression, he turned slightly, looking toward the door. “I should go.”

“Oh. Yes. Right. Thanks again. Oh, do you need to call an Uber?”

“I’ll do it downstairs. I downloaded the app.”

“Oh great.” I smiled as I opened the door. “Look at you, downloading apps.” I cringed. What the hell are you talking about, Em? “Thanks again.”

“You’re welcome.” He started walking out, and I moved to close the door when he suddenly turned back. We almost collided, and I pulled in a big inhale of his T-shirt. Soap and sage and clean male skin. God, he smelled good. I practically jumped away. “Don’t forget to lock the door behind me. And I know this building provides some security, but it wouldn’t hurt to get an alarm on that sliding glass door. You know, for peace of mind.”

“That’s a great idea. Good night, Tuck.”