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She nods. “It didn’t upset me, per se. It just gave me red-flag vibes.”

My stomach tightens. “Red-flag vibes? What do you mean?”

She shrugs a little. “After we got off FaceTime…and as good as that was…” Her smile is fleeting. “Once I came off the high, I had time to think. I wondered if a close moment like that makes you so uncomfortable, how can we get to the next level?”

The itch breaks out on the back of my neck. “Well, we are just getting started, and I didn’t cancel today. This scares me, but I’m here. We’re here.”

Her hand goes to my leg. “I know. It’s just, at that moment...we were connecting, and we just had some mind-blowing…” She looks away in the direction the girls disappeared and then back at me. “It was really good.”

“It was,” I say, covering her hand with mine. “I just need a little more time. We will get there. I promise.”

She nods. “I think it would be better if we talked things out if this happens again. Don’t run, just talk to me.”

“I can do that. Thank you for understanding.”

She gives me a small smile. “I like communication and transparency. If there comes a point where this is not working for either of us, I want us to be free to be honest.”

I press down on her hand and lean closer. “I like what we have. I won’t clam up again.”

“Okay,” she says.

I look over her shoulder as the girls walk out of the bathroom.

When our gazes meet again, Lux removes her hand. I try to give her a reassuring smile, but she reaches for her phone.

And I swear that I won’t make her doubt again.

19

Oliver

Two months later

The glow in Lux’s cheeks is like a sun of its own. Her skin is rosy and warm. I love putting this heightened color on her skin, that smile that stretches her mouth. I have to get up soon, but I don’t want to move. I want to stay here, with her wrapped up around me, enjoying the way her back arches against the palm of my hand, pressing her tits against my chest with each stroke.

“How long will you be gone?” she says with that lazy, sated tone that always stays with me long after I leave her.

“Two days.” I hate how that sounds, even to my ears. Two days away from Ayla. From my job. From you.

“That sounds like a long time right now.” She’s echoing my thoughts. Her voice is clearer now, sobriety filtering through.

God knows I’m there too. We’ve had so many bumps, never seeing completely eye to eye. But this...this is a good time. Since we did laser tag, things have been cool for a while.

“I know. I wish this had not come up right now, but it’s a great opportunity. I shouldn’t turn it down.”

I wouldn’t have wanted to before. More money, bigger chances, more savings to give her the things she’s used to.

Lux’s forehead wrinkles. “You shouldn’t turn it down. It’s a good thing for you professionally. If anyone understands, it’s me. Opportunities don’t always present themselves this easily.”

I kiss her forehead. “I know you get it. Thank you, especially because this opportunity came through you. Building another set for a Big Apple project is the dream. I just wish it was on this side of the country.”

“It’s all on merit.” She leans in, and I peck her lips. Then she pulls back. “Wait. But doesn’t Ayla have a game tomorrow? If you want, I can?—”

“Yeah, she does. I asked Cam and Adri if she could stay at their house. You know she’s more than excited about spending that much time with Bron. They’re planning all sorts of teenage things. She even said something to the effect of this being practice for when they go away to college and study abroad. She took five years off my life with that statement.”

She chuckles. “Aww. I can’t imagine. Does she have other activities? If you need help?—”

I squeeze her ass, pressing her closer to me.