They walked in silence, at first, the music threading faintly through the trees.
“Tonight went well,” Gage said, his profile unreadable in the dark as they paused, looking out to where Southgate was all agleam.
“I’ve never been to an engagement party before, let alone helped to plan one. But this place is unreal. The food was incredible. The view…” Bea’s voice trailed off. Because Gage waslistening even more closely than normal, as if cataloging every word she said.
“Do you like it?” he asked, with a nod toward the glow of the courtyard.
She hesitated, suddenly self-conscious. “Yes.”
“Good.”
That was all.
It felt like a black thread stitching something quiet and permanent between them. Her fingers curled into the lining of his jacket. His gaze lingered, one slow sweep over silk and skin. She felt it like heat pressed to bare flesh.
He offered his hand. “Let’s go. I haven’t forgotten about that clasp.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Bea stepped through the glass doors of Monaghan & Stowe, and saw Gage. Standing just outside, coat open, hands in his pockets like he hadn’t been waiting long.
“You don’t usually walk over,” she said, slowing as she reached him.
His gaze dipped over her. “Your building’s close. I was nearby.”
“Sure,” she drawled. “Just happened to be loitering on my street.”
“Would you prefer I admit I rearranged my afternoon just to pick you up?”
A smile flirted at each corner of her mouth. “Did you?”
“Not me. Victoria.”
They fell into step. The walk wasn’t far, but the early evening made it feel quieter, the streetlamps already glowing. He paused at the crosswalk, thumb finding the inside of her wrist.
“Your exams start soon.”
“In two weeks,” she said, distracted. That thumb needed a warning label.
“And then winter break.”
She nodded.
“Come to London with me.”
Her head turned. “What?”
The light flipped. He stepped forward, tugging her with him like he hadn’t just detonated that sentence. “For the break,” he said, tone all ease. “You’ve never been. It’s summer there.”
“A vacation?” she asked, though it already didn’t sound like one.
“Not entirely.” He looked both ways before leading them across a quieter street. “You could see the UK office. Come to dinner with the team. We could wander. It’s a beautiful city.”
“Would you be working?”
“Half-time,” he said.
They passed beneath bare branches lining the footpath. She felt his offer like a weight in her chest.
