I stood there after he left, my fingers brushing the place where his hands had been, my lips still tingling with what almost was. It wasn’t the kiss I wanted—but somehow, it hurt just as much as it thrilled. He wanted more—I was sure of it. And I was ready too. But somehow, the universe seemed determined to keep that first kiss just out of reach.
I removed my makeup, changed into my pyjamas, and slipped into bed, letting the night replay behind my closed eyes until sleep finally claimed me, wrapped in the echo of his nearness and the promise of a moment that felt inevitable.
30
CALEB
Work dragged me back and forth between Vancouver and Seattle once the holidays ended. Meetings stacked. Deadlines multiplied. And every delay pushed Nyah further out of reach.
I hadn’t seen her since the morning after New Year’s.
That morning had stretched endlessly. Every time I closed my eyes, the moment replayed itself—her standing in front of me, hair loose around her shoulders, eyes lifted, lips parted in quiet hope.
And I had kissed her forehead.
The coward’s kiss.
I’d wanted her. God, I’d wanted her. The pull toward her felt inevitable, like gravity—impossible to ignore, impossible to escape.
My mother had dragged me off early the next morning to the Sears’ house for some meeting, and by the time I returned, Nyah was gone.
No goodbye.
No lingering look.
Just absence.
We messaged, but it wasn’t the same. Texts couldn’t replace the way she felt in my arms, or the warmth of her laugh when she leaned into me.
I wanted to see her.
To hold her.
To kiss her.
She’d invaded my thoughts at the strangest times—behind the wheel in traffic, standing alone in an elevator, staring at my own reflection and seeing her instead. I could still feel the press of her body against mine when we danced, the faint floral scent of her hair. I could draw her from memory without trying; she was etched into my hands, burned into my nerves.
I kept imagining the next time we’d see each other. Her walking straight into my arms. Her fingers gripping my jacket. Her finally saying she couldn’t wait any longer—that I had to kiss hernow.
Taylor delivered the surprise to her apartment.
Lucas called me later, breathless with excitement. “Thank you for the Havanese puppy! How did you know I told Mama I wanted a dog?”
I smiled despite myself. “Buddy, I saw how happy you were playing with the dogs at the house. I thought you deserved one. What does your mom think?”
“His mom is really happy,” Nyah said. “She says thank you.”
I heard her soft voice in the background, and every nerve in my body lit up.
“I’ve been meaning to call you,” she said. “Work’s been crazy. How are you?”
“I’m great,” I lied easily. “I was wondering the same about you.”
Before I could say anything else, my PA buzzed through the intercom—some client returning a call. I cut the conversation short and hung up with a sigh.
I missed her. Terribly.
I’d been trying to see her since the new year began, but work made it impossible. Every day felt like something stolen.
