Page 142 of Only Lovers in the Building

“I won’t be across the hall for long.”

Lily’s heart faltered, but her spine remained rigid. “Right. You’ll be in Amsterdam.”

His long, thick brows crumpled with confusion. “Amsterdam?”

“For the position at the university,” she explained. “It’s your dream.”

“No, it’s not.”

“But you said—”

“I don’t remember saying anything about moving to Amsterdam.”

“It’s your goal to live and work in Europe for a while. You said so.”

“I’m taking a break from chasing goals. I met a woman this summer who taught me that it’s okay to stop and take a break.”

“Is that right?” Lily said. “Have I met her?”

“Funny girl,” he said, smiling down at her.

“What will you do during this break?” she asked. As much as she would have loved to, they couldn’t read by the pool forever. They had to earn a living.

“Take the box down from the shelf, riffle through it, take notes, and write the damn book,” he said. “I’ve got to come to terms with my father or I won’t move on. Greyson said a lot of things the night we met him, but that’s what stuck with me. Not some invitation to Amsterdam.”

Now that was true growth. “I’m so proud of you.”

“Thanks, beautiful,” he said.

“Why would you have to move out of your apartment?” she asked.

“To buy a new one. I’m in the market.”

“Since when?”

“Since meeting with Noah this afternoon,” he said. “I’m interested in a two-bedroom on a higher floor. A couple are sitting vacant. I’ll get a hold of Dr. Jake and work something out.”

Lily put aside her pain and suffering to better absorb this bit of information. “How many apartments does Dr. Jake own?”

“Quite a few. Once I sell the watch, I can afford to take one off his hands.”

“Wow! How much is it worth?”

“We’ll get into that later.”

“All right, well . . .” Lily said with a sigh. “In case you’ve lost track, this is the moment you make a big, romantic declaration and sweep me off my feet. Bring your A game.”

A family of four arrived with a wagon full of inflatable toys. They got settled nearby and switched on a portable radio.

Ben took her hand. “The setting matters,” he said. “Come with me.”

They were back in the elevator with the suitcase, kissing madly all the way up to the roof. It was early. The bar was sparsely attended. Kylie, Jeremy, and Noah were chatting at a table. She couldn’t wait to join them and share the big news. Book club at the bar would continue through fall! However, Ben avoided their table and made a beeline to the very edge of the terrace.

From the top of The Icon, Lily imagined they were close enough to touch the sky, but she felt no fear. The city unfolded below like an origami piece. The ocean whispered beneath the constant hum of traffic. Ben tucked a finger beneath her chin. “Do you want to know what I thought the first time I looked into your beautiful eyes?”

“Yes, please.”

“I thought you were stardust,” he said. “I saw everything in your hazel eyes, the whole world, the universe. I thought, She’s magic. There was nothing you could do to change my mind. You could lie to my face, you could steal from me, and I wouldn’t care.”