"You're right," I said without turning around. "It's not just in your head."
I left before I could say anything else. Before I could close the distance between us and do something we'd both regret.
Went to my office. Set down the tray.
Stared at the monitors showing Julian's room.
He was standing in the middle of the floor. One hand pressed to his chest like he was trying to calm his racing heart.
I knew exactly how he felt.
Matteo was right. I was going to break.
The question was how much damage I'd do when it happened.
And whether Julian would survive it.
CHAPTER 5: JULIAN
I DIDN'T SLEEPafter Elio left my room.
I lay in bed replaying his words.You're right. It's not just in your head.
He'd admitted it. Acknowledged the pull between us. Then walked away anyway because he was disciplined and controlled and probably right about all the reasons this was a terrible idea.
But he'd admitted it.
That had to mean something.
At seven the next morning, Elio knocked on my door. Earlier than usual. When I opened it, he was already in his working uniform—black suit, white shirt, tie knotted with mathematical precision. His expression was carefully neutral. Professional.
Like last night hadn't happened.
"We're retrieving your documents today," he said without preamble. "The safe deposit box in Manhattan. Sandro wants them verified before the partners meet this afternoon."
"Okay." I grabbed my jacket. "I'm ready."
"Julian." He stopped me before I could step into the hallway. "What we talked about last night—"
"I know. We're not talking about it. Pretending it didn't happen. Maintaining professional distance." I met his eyes. "I understand."
Something flickered across his face. Relief or disappointment, I couldn't tell.
"Good. Let's go."
The car ride into Manhattan was excruciating.
Elio drove. I sat in the passenger seat. We didn't speak. The silence was heavy with everything we weren't saying.
I watched the city pass by the windows and tried not to think about how close we were sitting. How I could smell cedar and ink. How his hands moved on the steering wheel with the same precise efficiency he brought to everything.
"You're quiet," Elio said after twenty minutes.
"So are you."
"I'm always quiet."
"Not like this. This is different."
