Vivian snorted—not looking at Jules—and continued. “I’m observant, Julia. And you weren’t exactly subtle on, oh, let’s say, New Year’s Eve.”

She had never been so mortified in her entire life. Every muscle in her body seemed to lock up at once. What was the point of denial? “I’m—” she choked and finished with, “Vivian, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know I was—”

What, obvious? Vivian had seen through her immediately. What if everybody had? What if Jules was the laughingstock of the office—of everywhere—the lowly assistant with a hopeless crush on her boss?

“I’m sorry,” Jules repeated, sincerely wanting to die.

“Are you?” Vivian said.

There wasn’t enough air. Jules fought for some anyway. “I never meant for you to know.”

“Well, I know,” Vivian said. “And for my part, I’ve never been attracted to another woman in my life.”

Jules wondered if leaping from the window would actually kill her or if she’d just break a few bones. She should aim for the iron railings. “Vivian, of course I never hoped for—I know you’d never—”

“That said,” Vivian interrupted, using the shut-up tone Jules knew so well, “I have never understood why physical attraction has to be necessary for a relationship.”

Whatever Jules had been about to stammer next died in her mouth.

Forget about before. She really and truly had never been so shocked as she was right now.

“What?” she said numbly.

Vivian looked at her at last. Then she stood up from the bed and began to pace the room. “You and I have both had relationships before. Several, I’m guessing,” she said. “Considering where we are right now, obviously those have never worked out well.” She glared at Jules fiercely. “Right?”

“I-I guess,” Jules managed.

“Right. We’ve been with people who didn’t appreciate or understand our goals. Our motivations. What drives us. Accurate, yes?”

“Well…yeah, but—”

“Yes. But.” She took a deep breath. “I understand you. Better than you think. And you understand me.”

“Um. No. I-I don’t think so.” I’ve never understood anything less in my life.

“Let me put it this way. You understand me better than anyone I’ve ever met. You anticipate everything. You know what I’ll say before I say it.”

“I didn’t know you were going to say this.” Jules was pretty sure her eyes couldn’t get any wider. “Um…what are we talking about here?”

“You care about me,” Vivian said flatly. “It isn’t just sexual. You care for me. I know that.”

Jules nodded, trembling in spite of herself. She lacked the power to confirm or deny anything at all. Or to speak, period.

Vivian looked out the window into the darkness beyond. Jules could see her only in profile now. No bump yet, but she knew what was there.

“I care for you,” Vivian said abruptly.