Emily sits on a wicker love seat, a blanket over her lap, her phone in her hand. “I could have been asleep,” she says as I step onto the porch.

“You weren’t asleep.” I knew she wouldn’t be. I can’t say how. It’s like I felt her across Eben Cape, being awake in the night.

“What are you doing here?”

I did this once before when she was staying in that shitty A-frame with no insulation. Showed up at the house at night and questioned her about her intentions with Beau and Paige. I have questions now. They’re not about her intentions.

“I thought you might want company.”

The smallest smile curves the corner of her lips. “Can I trust you to be good company?”

Yes. “I took you to Disneyland Paris.”

“I slept in your bed in the hotel.”

“You trusted me then.”

She studies me. “I guess I can trust you in Eben Cape, too.” The night sounds at Emily’s house are different. The crickets make a racket. The roll of the sea is louder. “Do you want to come inside?”

I should have a response to this. A slick comeback that will play off her invitation. But it’s late, and I’ve wanted to be back at Emily’s house since I woke up this morning.

“Yes.”

Emily stands up, gathering the blanket into her arms, and leads the way inside. “Paige is sleeping,” she says, locking the door behind us. Emily taps at the buttons on her security system. A light blinks. She looks into my eyes. I would give anything to know what she’s thinking right now. “Let’s go upstairs.”

Upstairs to her master bedroom. Upstairs to a space that is all Emily. Crisp neutrals. Beautiful little details. Small flourishes of color. I close the door. Lock it. When I turn back to her, she’s standing in the center of the room.

“What are you doing here?” she asks again.

“You slept in my bed in Paris.”

Her cheeks flush. “Yeah. And?”

“And I didn’t kiss you.”

“I fell asleep.”

“It was an oversight. I wanted to.”

Emily takes in the space between us. The air is charged. Almost thick with feeling. “Then why aren’t you kissing me now? You’ve done it before.”

“I want to do more than kiss you.”

“You’re here at midnight, Mateo. If you wanted to sleep with me—”

“I do.” Nothing but honesty now, for Christ’s sake. “But that’s not why I came here. I came here to keep you company.”

“You came here in the middle of the night to not sleep with me.” Even her skepticism is captivating.

“I don’t want to hurt you.”

“Feelings aren’t permanent.” Emily lifts her chin. “They don’t last forever.”

*     *     *

Emily Rochester

Mateo laughs. Huffs, really. Self-deprecating and charming. I feel like my heart might beat itself out of commission.