I looked at Magnus’s bedroom door, then rushed into my room. I didn’t want to greet him covered in sand, as silly as that sounded. I dropped my sandy clothes in one corner to consolidate the mess, then scrubbed myself clean, my impatient heart thumping in my temple. My hair might’ve had some sand left, but I was too eager to worry about it, braiding it into a crown.

I heard rushed footsteps, and then my doorknob jiggled, followed by a knock on the door. “Andromeda?”

“Magnus!” I slapped my hands over my mouth. Too eager, Andi. “U-um, just a minute.”

I dressed in my wool skirt and sweater quickly, blushing as I pulled on my stockings. Magnus would’ve barged right in while I was naked. Thank God I had locked the door.

When I opened the door Magnus was right there waiting, beaming like a little boy. “Welcome home, Andromeda.”

Images of my dream flashed in my head and I closed my eyes to be rid of them. I jolted, feeling a cold hand against mine, opening my eyes in time to see Magnus bring the back of my hand to his lips and kiss it.

“I didn’t expect you so soon,” he said. “Your present isn’t here yet.”

“You didn’t have to buy me anything.”

“Of course I did.” He reached out his hand and my breath caught. The warmth of his hand near my face was … overwhelming. A tingle went through my scalp as his fingertips admired my braid. “Esjay and Kelela are bringing it when they come for lunch. They should be here any minute.”

The mention of Kelela made my stomach ache. I stepped out of his grasp. “That will be nice for you.”

“This is better,” he said, though didn’t close the space between us. He leaned his head on the door and grinned. “I missed you.”

“You shouldn’t say that.”

“You can’t still be mad at me.”

“You’re engaged, Magnus.” He scoffed, but I held up my hand against him speaking. “You must be content to be acquaintances. A friendly, working relationship.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” he said, leaning closer. “Look me in the eye and tell me you’re content with that.”

I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath before looking him square in the eye. “I am content to maintain the dignity of not giving myself to a man who is spoken for.”

Magnus groaned as if my words had physically hurt him. “I want you, Andromeda.”

“No,” I said sternly, stepping back.

“And you want me.”

“I don’t. Not like this.”

Magnus huffed in frustration, pushing curls out of his face. “Even if I was engaged—which I’m not, by the way—that is not a legal union. I could break it off whenever I like.”