He glanced down at his empty mug and stood back up, returning to the coffeemaker. He felt like he owed Cat a gift of gratitude. Not anything that would make her feel like a prostitute taking payment for sexual favors. But something sincere, thoughtful.

He poured and sat, frowning at his email inbox that was filled to the brim.

Flowers seemed too… predictable. Too presumptuous. They hadn’t discussed whether this would happen again. Whether they were seeing each other. Noah frowned fiercely at his coffee. They also hadn’t discussed whether this was monogamous or not. As much fun as he was having letting her shove him outside his comfort zone, he wasn’t about to share her. And if that’s what she wanted, well, it was a deal-breaker.

Noah mentally kicked himself. One night—and early morning—of sex, and he was fantasizing about a relationship. He needed to calm the hell down. They had time to figure out if there was groundwork for a future.

He sipped his coffee and smiled at absolutely nothing. His jaw was starting to hurt from beaming. Carolanne had stared at him suspiciously until he sent her out to the post office just so he could bask alone.

Drumming his fingers on the desk, Noah decided he’d text Henry. Who better to know the way to Cat’s heart than her assistant?

Noah: Got any ideas for gifts for your boss?

The response came swiftly as Noah knew it would. Henry’s phone was never out of his hand.

Henry: What kind of gift? Sorry for revoking your building permits gift? Thanks for rebuilding my town gift?

Noah: Something more… personal.

He could practically hear Henry’s gleeful laughter.

Henry: I wondered why she was smiling so much today. Starting to freak me out.

Crap. He may have just opened a can of gossip worms on set.

Noah: I’m not confirming or denying anything that she wouldn’t want anyone else to know.

Henry: I’m a vault, my friend. Let’s meet for lunch and we’ll chat.

With a hopeful heart, Noah turned his attention to his inbox and began working his way cheerfully through his never-ending to do list.

--------

Noah felt like he was back at the scene of the crime when Henry let him into Cat’s trailer.

“Like I said, man, Cat’s a practical woman,” Henry explained. “She’s not really the wine and roses type. If you can find a way to be useful to her? That’s the best way to get to her.”

Noah looked around the living space. It was still crowded with papers and electronic devices that she’d been in the middle of before he’d interrupted her with his libido the night before. The sad Christmas tree in the corner blinked on and off.

“She a fan of Christmas?” Noah asked, jutting his chin toward the tree.