“They’re incredible. I can barely believe they’re not actual dogs, even standing right next to them.”

Maddie’s face underwent a series of expressions from shock to pleasure to uncertainty and back to pleasure again, and she and Stuart couldn’t help but laugh.

“You’re ridiculous,” he said, pushing her lightly.

“You both are,” Ryann added. “You’re both absurdly talented, and you would think you’d know that about yourself. You should both be proud of your work. I am.”

They looked embarrassed then, and she chuckled again before giving them both a quick embrace. Maddie seemed surprised when she turned her way but, after a moment’s hesitation, hugged her back.

“Shit,” Stuart said, glancing at his watch. “If you two don’t leave now, you’re going to be late.”

“Oh, crap,” Maddie said, glancing at hers. “I think we are. It’s clear on the other side of town.”

“The caterer?” she asked, only now remembering the plan. The others nodded. “You’re not coming with, Stuart?”

“No. I’m already seriously behind for the day. But like I said—today’s the last of my obligations for a while except for some phone calls later this week. I’m open after today through to the wedding.”

She remembered that she would miss most of his free time because of her trip to London. She also realized that she hadn’t gotten the chance to tell him about it. I’ll do it later, she thought.

“Okay. Let’s get going then,” Maddie said, taking her hand.

They picked up her coat on the way out, and she thought little of the fact that they joined hands again until they were outside and Maddie was letting go to get inside the Bronco. She might not have even thought of it at all, except that her hand felt strangely empty now, incomplete, without Maddie’s warm one in hers. She squeezed it into a fist, cursing herself and her weakness.

Damn it, she thought.

Chapter Sixteen

They drove in silence, which seemed comfortable on Maddie’s end, to judge from her placid expression. Ryann, on the other hand, was tortured with nerves. Once or twice, she thought to ask Maddie why she hadn’t called or contacted her since the kiss two days ago. She wondered if Maddie, like her, had realized they’d gotten carried away, made a mistake. After all, Maddie had been reluctant to kiss her even then. But then, they’d held hands in the studio, and Maddie had complimented her clothes. It was all so confusing and contradictory.