He grabbed her arms, steadying her, his touch gentle, his heartbeat frantic beneath her hands. She wanted to pull away, truly she did. They stood there like that, hands clinging to painfully familiar skin, soaking up who they used to be. Heat rose from him, his musky soapy scent working awareness into every nook and cranny of her being.

“I’m so sorry,” Song said next to them, and Ashna’s frozen body released. She took her hands off his chest.

“You all right?” Still holding Ashna, Rico turned to Song. There was such tenderness in his voice, Ashna wished she could disappear.

Speaking of disappearing, her ride!

She pulled away, fished her phone out of her purse, and ran out to the lobby. No! No. No. One missed call and two texts, and a canceled ride. She texted frantically, but it was too late. Darn it, the rideshare app searched and searched, giving her nothing.

“Hey, Ashna, everything okay?” Song asked. She was holding on to Rico but she looked much less green.

Ashna forced a smile, not that she wasn’t glad to see Song looking better. “My rideshare just canceled on me. Let’s get you to the couch.”

“I’m so sorry! I didn’t realize you were on your way out. Thanks so much for staying to help me. But why are you leaving? It’s still early.” Song tried to sit but lost her balance and fell onto the couch, taking Rico with her.

They tumbled back together, laughing, completely comfortable with each other. Ashna’s arms tingled where he had held her.

She looked at her wrist, even though she wasn’t wearing a watch, and felt immeasurably stupid. “It’s late for me. I have an early morning.” She fought to keep the smile on her face.

“How long before your ride gets here?” Song asked kindly, leaning her head on Rico’s shoulder.

Every single time Song touched him like that, as though he was hers to touch, pain sliced through Ashna. The feel of his chest wouldn’t stop burning on her palms.

The app found a ride. It was another twenty minutes, but the relief almost knocked her off her feet. “Not too long. Did you want me to get you a drink? Some ginger ale?”

Song’s smile was grateful, and it made her perfect face glow. “I’m feeling all better. The red wine’s out.” She rubbed her belly. “We’ll wait with you.”

We.

“Thank you. Really, you don’t have to do that.” Please don’t do that. “The car will be here soon.”

“No, it won’t.” Finally, Rico found his voice. “There’s thirty thousand people here for the conference. Wait times are ridiculous right now.”

She hated how she felt his voice everywhere.