Nico was waiting for me outside when I exited the gallery. I drew on every shred of courage and fortitude I had and walked to his car. Without a word, he opened the passenger door for me, helping me inside. Seconds later, he slid into the driver’s seat and pulled away from the curb, all in total silence.

I wasn’t sure what I’d expected, but it hadn’t been this.

My nerves already frazzled, the quiet was more than I could bear. “So, where do you live now?” I blurted, hoping to ease the tension.

“Not too far,” he said, never taking his eyes from the road. Clearly, Nico had no desire to start any semblance of a conversation in the car.

Uncomfortable silence it is.

He pulled up at a skyscraper in Lower Manhattan right on the water’s edge. A doorman helped me out of the car, then took the keys from Nico and left with the car after a quick greeting.

“Fancy,” I murmured, taking it all in.

He placed his hand on my lower back, directing me forward. “It has a shit ton of amenities, which means I don’t have to go anywhere if I don’t want to.”

The lobby was beautifully designed—the term casual elegance came to mind. There was a fireplace along one wall with enormous shelves above it. Together with an assortment of seating and tables, the setup resembled a traditional living room but for dozens of people instead of just a few.

Nico led me to an elevator where we rose to the thirtieth floor, which housed three apartments. His home was absolutely stunning. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls were the focal point of the space, overlooking an almost too-perfect view of the city. His décor was all neutral—soft tans and grays—allowing the skyline to steal the show. The sun was setting, painting the sky in warm reds and yellows. It was the perfect backdrop for the twinkling city lights starting to pop across the landscape. I was so taken by the sight that I hadn’t realized I’d been staring until Nico’s voice brought me back to the present.

“The amenities are great, but the view is what sold me,” he said quietly beside me.

When I glanced over at him, his eyes were fixed on me rather than the breathtaking view. I dropped my gaze, my cheeks heating at his implied compliment. “So, how is this supposed to work?” I ventured warily. “I’m not sure what to say or how to do this.”

“First, I’d say we’re probably both hungry. How about we eat, then talk?”

“What do you have? I can help cook, if you’d like.”

“I have a grocery service, so I’m not sure. We’ll have to dig around and see what’s there.” He paused, then grew more serious. “I don’t have an answer for any of this either, Sofia, but I know we won’t get anywhere unless we talk. That’s all tonight is—a chance for us to catch up and figure out what we want from one another.”