Sadie straightened, giving Riley one more scratch before meeting Corbyn’s eyes once more.
“Actually, I have an idea that might solve both our concerns. May I?” she asked, gesturing toward the blank paper on his desk.
Corbyn pushed a sheet toward her, eyebrows raised in silent question.
“What if,” Sadie began, sketching out a quick diagram, “instead of moving the reveal, you recontextualize it? What if he has this epiphany during the course of a conversation? With his sister, perhaps?”
Corbyn leaned forward again, and Sadie knew she had his full attention.
“Go on.”
“Shaw’s realization that he’s been betrayed by someone he trusted is the heart of the scene,” Sadie explained, glancing up to gauge his reaction. His brow was still furrowed, but his expression was thoughtful instead of angry. “What if, instead of being alone in his apartment and looking at evidence, he’s talking to his sister about something seemingly unrelated, and she inadvertently gives him the piece he needs?”
“What about a gallery opening?” Corbyn countered, straightening and crossing his arms over his chest. “His sister’s an art curator. Evening setting, public but intimate. White wine, pretentious conversations. She’d be distracted with managing the event, and might mention something about an acquaintance without thinking.”
“Yes,” Sadie nodded eagerly, her anger subsiding. She could picture it taking shape in her head: stark white walls covered with paintings, lights angled just so, a low hum of fancy voices tossing around words like brushwork and symbolism. “And, because it’s such a public setting, Shaw’s stuck holding it together. He’s hit with this gut-punch of a realization, but he can’t crack, not with so much on the line for her.”
“What if,” Corbyn grinned, and his eyes came alive as he looked at her, “she catches it anyway? His twitch or whatever, even though he’s trying to play it cool. She could drag him off to some cramped back office, away from the suits, and push for an explanation.”
The unguarded grin on his face caught her completely off guard, and it took a minute for her to realize she was staring. He was full of life and completely engaged, which caused an unfamiliar fluttering in her chest. Clearing her throat, she looked down at the pages on the desk, trying to recover her composure.
“Yeah, I think that’s it,” she murmured, her voice breathier than she would have liked.
Corbyn sat back in his chair, and she could feel him watching her. Slowly, she returned to her own seat, forcing herself to meet his eyes once more. The grin was gone, but it had been replaced by something softer, almost searching. He had been indifferent to her opinion, but she had also let her own insecurities get the better of her.
“I’m sorry if I came on a bit strong,” she confessed, petting Riley, who had placed his head in her lap. “Having my thoughts dismissed… it’s part of my baggage, but you shouldn’t have to be held accountable for that.”
“It’s no secret I can be a stubborn arse, Reed,” he admitted after a moment. “But we did agree to be partners, and I shouldn’t have treated you like an adversary.”
A comfortable silence settled between them, markedly different from the tense quiet after their previous arguments. Corbyn gathered the papers they had been working on, looking over their notes once more. She watched him lean back in his chair, lips pursing as he took everything into consideration.
“I’ll draft this tonight,” he offered after a moment. “I’ll have something for you to review tomorrow.”
“I look forward to it,” Sadie replied, standing to head to the sofa where the pages she had been working on yesterday waited for her on the coffee table. Riley, now lacking her attention, wandered over to Corbyn and nudged his arm with his nose.
“He needs a walk,” Corbyn chuckled, rising from his chair and flexing his left hand. She had noticed he tended to clench that hand when under stress, likely adding to any discomfort. “We’ve been at this longer than I realized.”
“Time flies when you’re locked in a creative disagreement,” Sadie said with a small smile, looking up at him from the sofa.
Corbyn’s mouth quirked in that almost smile, and he conceded, “Indeed.” She watched as uncertainty suddenly crossed his features before he added, “Would you… like to join us? There’s a path through the orchard that’s pleasant this time of day.”
The invitation surprised Sadie. Usually, he left for walks without even looking her way. It was a small thing, this social overture, but significant coming from a man who had initially resented her presence in his home. That flutter in her chest was back, and a slightly shy smile formed on her lips.
“I’d like that,” she said simply, standing to follow him out of the study.
Later, as they walked the orchard path with Riley, their conversation flowed more easily than before. They discussed the book, but also the grounds, Riley’s ridiculous squirrel obsession, and various other topics.
It was small talk, but for two people who had spent so much time trying to find common ground, it felt like a bridge being built… one unremarkable exchange at a time.
February 24, 2025
-Corbyn-
An unfamiliar anticipation tightened in Corbyn’s chest the moment Sadie’s rental car rounded the bend. He had settled into one of the weathered wicker chairs on the porch and found himself straightening in his seat when he spotted the car.
She didn’t immediately exit the vehicle, and he found himself studying her from his spot through the windshield. She closed her eyes briefly, and her lips were moving in what might have been whispered encouragement. Then, she took a deep breath before opening the door and stepping out into the chilly February air.
The short ritual struck him, and he wondered if she still found working with him so challenging that she needed to gather herself beforehand. The thought caused an unexpected feeling of regret. He had been trying to control his temper since their last clash, keeping cutting remarks and dismissive behavior to a minimum. He had thought that they had reached some sort of common ground, but perhaps he had misjudged how much damage had been done during their earlier sessions.
