“Don’t miss the fireworks.”
“Never. And I know we were both wondering what the first day was going to be like back in the office, but ... I’m probably not going to be back for the rest of the day, so ...” He flashed a guilty smile. “Ran into Caroline in the elevator this morning.”
I nodded. “I heard her bombastically yelling for you to hold the doors. Right as she passedmydoor.”
“Eh, I probably would’ve done the same in her shoes.”
“We’re having dinner tonight, so she’ll get all the gossip.”
Charlie looked down at his laptop.
“Shit, I gotta go.” He grabbed his bag as I stepped away from the door.
He paused, looking at me squarely. He reached down for my hand and squeezed it.
“I’ll miss seeing you today.”
I stared just a little too long at his hand squeezing mine, then squeezed his back.
“Good luck with the hearing.”
Caroline was seated at a small table by the window when I arrived, with a bottle of champagne chilling in an ice bucket.
“What’s the occasion?” I asked, taking a full minute to unbundle my Canada Goose coat, wool scarf, hat, and mittens.
“You’ve been deflowered. By someone adorable, no less. And it’s basically like I was there for the morning after. Cheers, babe!”
I sat down as she handed me a gold-rimmed flute.
“I’m the furthest thing from being deflowered. I wasmarried,” I contested, appreciating the warmth of the fire across the room.
Caroline waved her hand. “Didn’t you once tell me that you found sex boring?”
“I have, on occasion, found it boring.” I took a sip of champagne. “It wasnotlast night.”
She clinked my glass again. “You better tell me everything.”
I didn’t spare a detail. It was like a tell-all confession.
“Sam.This. Is. Huge.No matter where this is going. You felt a feeling, you acted on it, and you’re still intact.Andyou slept with him sober.”
“Three times.”
“Incredible.”
She filled my glass to the top.
“I’m so proud of you.”
“I’m terrified.”
“Of what?”
“Caroline. Come on. How can this possibly end well?”
She grabbed the menu and gave a dismissive wave. “It’s either going to work or it’s not.”
“Sounds apropos of absolutely everything in my life.”
