My proposal for Marlen definitely needs more work, but there’s always tomorrow. Right now, there’s something—someone—more important. “No, it’s fine. You’ve been a huge help. I’m way further along than I would have been at this point without you. Thank you, all of you.”

Christina, Tory, and Michelle file out of my apartment one by one.

“Hey, Graeme.” Christina waves as she passes. “Great to finally meet you.”

“Likewise,” he says, dipping his chin.

“We need to talk,” she mouths at me from behind her hand, shooting a meaningful glance at Graeme.

I chew on my lip to suppress a grin. “Later. Promise,” I mouth back.

Tory and Michelle step out and Walsh brings up the rear. She’s wearing my gray hoodie and has a gym bag slung across her chest.

“Where are you going?” I ask her, pushing off from the wall.

“To Christina’s. The latest season of Nailed It! just dropped on Netflix, so we’re going to binge. Have fun, you two. Don’t wait up. Good to see you, Graeme,” she says before jogging to catch up with everyone else. She flings an arm around Christina’s neck and they all disappear around the corner.

It’s just Graeme and me now in the green-carpeted hallway. The air between us charges.

“Do you want to come in?” I say at the same time he says, “Well, I should probably get an Uber to Ryan’s.”

He chuckles. “I’d love to.”

I feel Graeme’s presence at my back all the way into my apartment. When we reach the living room, the mess of paper plates, pizza boxes, and cups has me frowning. “One second.” I begin bustling around, stacking paper plates and stuffing them into pizza boxes.

When I carry them to the kitchen, footsteps follow. Graeme is behind me, his front to my back. Warm. Solid. My breath catches when his fingers curl around my waist. I still.

“Don’t worry about it. We can clean up later,” he murmurs in my ear. Reaching around me, he takes the boxes from my slackening grip and places them on the counter. In a caress as gentle as a summer breeze, he brushes my hair from my neck until it’s gathered over one shoulder.

Pure electricity zips through me as he kisses the sensitive skin at the nape of my neck, directly above the loose neckline of my slouchy sweater. I shiver when his tongue touches my skin and he trails kisses up the side of my throat. Pulling me closer, he reaches around to cup my face. I twist to look at him over my shoulder.

His eyes are hooded and his gaze consumes me.

Like he’s afraid I’ll disappear.

His lips descend to mine.

Bliss.