“Oh?” She looked around with greater interest now. Actually, despite its size, the room was nicely appointed. It had lovely pinewood floors, exposed brick walls, and a recessed, tall ceiling. Judging from the window, it was likely very bright and inviting during the day. She stood up, walking closer to the far wall near the door, where Stuart had hung several framed photographs. She saw Jai, Maddie, and a series of her with Stuart throughout the decades. She looked back at him, and he lifted his glass in a toast.

“The place is lovely,” she told him.

He got to his feet. “Thanks. I love it. I love being downtown near all the restaurants and breweries, and I can ride my bike to the foundry on nice days—it’s only a couple of miles.”

“You can ride a bike?”

He laughed. “Maddie taught me. But yeah—I like it. I’ll be moving in with Jai after the wedding, of course, but it’s been really nice living here. In fact, the only real drawback is the kitchen, which is the size of a postage stamp. I guess they think artists don’t cook.”

“So what are you making us in your tiny kitchen?”

“I’ve got fresh salad, and I’m cooking chicken tikka masala, with rice and naan.”

“Mmmm—one of my favorites.”

“I know. I’d invite you to chat while I cook, but we honestly couldn’t fit in there together. But I prepped earlier—the chicken just needs simmering. Give me a few minutes to get it started, and I’ll be back. Feel free to choose some music.” He pointed at the record player.

She knelt in front of his vinyl collection, smiling at the memory of the two of them in high school scouring the stacks together in various music stores in their suburb and then later spending whole weekends at it in college in the city. She could tell that this selection was only part of his stash and wondered, idly, if he still had the rest somewhere.

She chose a Miles Davis and got it started, adjusting the volume so it would be easy to talk over. She retook her seat, pulling the blanket up over her legs, and leaned back on the surprisingly soft sofa, closing her eyes.

“Oh, gosh, sorry,” Stuart said, startling her.

She blinked and rubbed her eyes, realizing then that she’d been dozing. “Wow. I didn’t think I could sleep any more after last night. I guess I’m still catching up.”

He sat down on the armchair and gave her a wry smile, apparently a little guilty. “Yeah. I’m sorry. I know it’s been run, run, run since you got here.”

She waved dismissively. “Not a problem. It’s what I signed up for.”