“I’m sorry,” she whispered, sitting down again. She took one of his hands. “Really. I shouldn’t have said that. But you have to understand, Stuart, that it’s not going to happen. I see where you’re coming from. I really do. And it’s a nice fantasy, but that’s all it is—a fantasy. Maddie and I will never be more than friends.”

He took a long, shuddering breath and blew it out. “Okay, Ryann. If that’s the way you really feel.”

“It is.”

“I won’t say anything more about it after this. I just want you to be happy—that’s all. And I thought maybe Maddie could be the piece that’s missing. Your person. The one you spend holidays with, the one that matters. I thought she could be your Jai.”

“It’s a nice idea, Stuart, and I won’t lie to you—part of me really wants that. But not with Maddie, not when it would mean giving up everything else. That isn’t realistic—it’s not who I am.”

His eyes welled up again, and she threw one arm over his shoulders. He kissed the side of her face, and when they both drew back, he had to wipe his eyes.

“You always were the practical one of us,” he said. “I was always the one doing stupid, reckless things, while you focused on what was in front of you. That’s probably why you make the big bucks, and I live here in a subsidized apartment.” He sighed. “I guess I knew in my heart it was a long shot.”

“Not even close. And I am happy.”

“Okay,” he said. “I’ll drop it.”

They drank their wine in silence for a while, the scents from the kitchen filling the little space with a heady, heavenly aroma. They both heard a timer go off, and he jumped to his feet.

“I’ll go get the plates ready. I don’t actually have a dining-room table, so we have to eat here. Hope that’s okay.”

They’d eaten every meal he’d ever cooked for her at various coffee tables in his tiny apartments over the years. The memory of this tradition made her warm and sentimental, and she grinned at him. “Of course it’s fine.”

He turned toward the kitchen and then paused, looking down at her. “I know I’ve said it a couple of times now, but I promise I won’t say anything about you and Maddie again. I’m sorry I pushed. I’ve been a dick.”