Abby laughed too. “I know I am. I’ve been so blissfully happy these last few weeks.”

“So let me get this straight. You’re not dating. You’re not in a relationship. You’re just…having sex?”

Abby bit into her sandwich. “On the surface, yes. That’s what she wants to believe.”

“Yet you’ve seen her nearly every night?”

“Yes. And I don’t push, I really don’t. Yesterday, for instance. I hadn’t spoken to her all day. We had no plans. And I was fighting with myself about calling her. Then the doorbell rang, and she was there.” She grabbed a chip from the bag. “She’s scared, so I’m letting her work at her own pace.”

“I don’t understand her whole phobia about dating.”

“It’s a childhood thing having to do with her parents,” she said evasively. “I know her story and I completely understand where she’s coming from. That’s why I’m letting her make the rules.”

“But you’re falling in love?”

“God, yes. And so is she. She just doesn’t know it.” Or did she? Hadn’t there been an almost terrified look in Nic’s eyes that morning as they’d cuddled in bed? Abby had smiled at her, had kissed her lightly, chasing that look away. Yes, Nic knew it. That’s why the look of fear was on her face.

“So, you’re going to pretend you’re not dating when you kinda are?”

She nibbled on another chip. “I’ll go as slow as she needs. I don’t want her to run, but I think she’ll try. When she realizes how entangled we’ve become, I think she’ll run. And then I’ll have to convince her to come back.”

She saw movement a few tables over and she looked up, nearly gasping. Sharon followed her gaze.

“Who is that?”

“It’s…it’s Holly.”

“Your Holly?”

“Yes.”

Holly was dressed rather casually today. Jeans—designer jeans, to be sure, but still jeans. A burgundy button-down shirt was covered by a sweater that was a shade or two lighter. Even her lipstick matched.

“I was hoping I’d find you out here.” Holly glanced at the gold watch on her wrist. “Do you have a few minutes to chat? Alone?”

Abby glanced at Sharon, who was busy gathering up her lunch, but she reached out a hand, stopping her. “No, don’t leave. We’ll go up to my office. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

The walk through the courtyard was made in silence, but her mind was jumping to all different kinds of scenarios as to why Holly had come to see her. The most obvious one—she wanted to “get together”—came to mind.

At the elevator, she could stand the silence no more. She offered a smile, albeit a fake one.

“So…how have you been?”

“I’ve been missing you.”