I firmly state, "You're in control. Act like it."
I push away from the counter, leave my home, and lock the door behind me. I make my way through the building and step into the early winter evening.
Cold air bites at my freshly shaved skin. I forgot a jacket, but I don't go back for it. I let it steady me as I head toward Seraphina's building. It's a ten-minute walk, and by the time I get there, I'm feeling better. My face is numb from the chill. I've talked myself into focusing on my date.
Seraphina opens her door before I knock a second time. Her long, toned legs fill the doorway, framed by a slate-colored dress that hugs every precise line of her silhouette. The scent of dark jasmine and quiet luxury floats between us.
Blue smells better.
Stop it.
"You didn't wear the shirt," she says, sweeping her gaze from my shoulders to my throat.
"The dry cleaner was closed by the time I got there. Sorry," I offer.
She forces a smile, but disappointment fills it. She glances at her dress. "Maybe I should change?"
"Why? You look great."
"It doesn't go with what you're wearing."
"It's fine. Let's go before the reservation turns into a threat from the chef," I tease, forcing myself not to tell her how ridiculous she sounds. I grab her wool coat off the rack. "You'll need this. It's freezing out there."
She slides into the arms, and we leave. I order a car in the elevator, and it's waiting for us when we get outside.
I hold the door open, and Seraphina slides across the seat. I slip next to her, and the driver veers into traffic.
Silence fills the cab.
"You're quiet," she says, cutting through the soft hum of the engine.
Annoyance prickles into my nerves. I reply, "I'm quiet a lot."
"Well, tonight it's courtroom-before-a-verdict quiet," she says with a smile.
Blue's lips are fuller.
I take my gaze off her mouth and meet her eyes. "Long week."
"Is this the part where I pretend I don't know you're deflecting?" she asks.
A humorless breath escapes my chest. "It's confidential."
She gently states, "Everything with you is, but I'm not asking for details. I'm asking whether you're walking into tonight or escaping from something else."
"I'm good. Glad to spend time with you tonight," I say in a half-truth, and pick up her hand. I kiss the back of it.
She smiles. "I've actually been looking forward to our date all week."
"Me too," I lie. I didn't remember we had one until she texted today.
It's Blue's fault.
I shift in my seat, stare out the window, and the driver pulls behind a large SUV. The Belmont glows against the street, all golden warmth and curated elegance.
"That was fast," Seraphina says.
I step out of the car and help her out. She loops her arm through mine and walks beside me with the certainty of someone who never doubts her place anywhere.
