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“You too, ma’am.” He heads back inside.

We look at each other and start laughing. It feels so good. It’s been so long since I have felt this carefree. As our laughter dries up, so does the rain, so I walk her to her car.

As she’s about to climb in, she stops. “How will you get home?”

“I have a car coming to take me to my hotel,” I explain.

“Hotel?” She sounds disappointed. “You weren’t kidding about not being from here?”

“I don’t live here, no. But I’ll be in town a while.” I smile, telling her another half-truth, I was born here, but it’s not my home. Not yet.

“Well…uh…the Gala I mentioned is Saturday, if you would like, I could put you on the guest list? Black-tie, a masked ball at this place called Underglobe. I’ll probably be working a lot, but maybe we can grab a drink? If you’re going to be in town, I mean, and don’t have plans.”

I’m glad to see she seems equally as flustered by me.

After all the time watching her, the idea of getting to be with her, more than just accidentally bumping into her, has me way more excited than I should be. It is a bit risky to show up with Piers, but she mentioned a mask.

“Underglobe. Saturday evening?” I ask, and she nods. “Black-tie and mask. I really will try.”

She eyes me skeptically.

“How about we exchange numbers so you can send me the address?” I pull out my mobile, swiping the screen to life, and my stomach drops when I see fifteen missed calls and one text message.

Tick-Tock. There she goes again, reminding me of what I’m really here for.

“Is everything alright?” Scarlett questions.

“Yeah, sorry. Work issues. I’m ready.” She rattles off her number, and I call it.

“So the number was real?” I tease as her mobile vibrates in her lap.

“Of course.” She feigns shock.

“Now you can save me in your phone.” I wink at her. “Goodnight, Scarlett. Until next time.”

“Goodnight, Cohen. Until Saturday.” I close her door and step back as it purrs to life.

One night can’t hurt. I’ll allow myself this last night with her. At the Gala, where I can put on a mask and be the man she needs me to be, if only for a night.