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“In a minute. Would you like to meet someone from Interpol? Actually, his wife is here, too, and she’s also with Interpol. London office.”

“How do you know them?” It’s a silly question. Dorian seems to know everyone.

“He became friends with our old buddy, Nick. He introduced himself. I told him I’d loop back to him once I caught up with my wife.” He winks, grinning proudly at the use of my descriptor.

“What do they do for Interpol?”

“I doubt his official role is listed on LinkedIn. Come to think of it, an alias is likely listed.”

“Understandable. I still tell people I work for a bank.” He frowns, and I sense he wants to pick at that thread, but Sophia’s voice draws our attention.

“Caroline. Dorian,” Sophia interjects, “I’d like to introduce you to Ethan. He’s Stella and Trevor’s son.”

“The infamous Ethan,” I say, taking his hand with a smile. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“Same. And I’ve heard a lot about you.”

A familiar touch warms the curve of my spine.

“And I’m Dorian. Caroline’s husband.”

Our eyes lock, and an unspoken conversation flashes between us. Will I argue with him over this point? No, I accept he’s territorial, but we agreed to take things day by day, and he’s not sounding like he’s holding to our agreement.

“How long are you in town for?” I ask Ethan.

“I’m on leave through New Year’s. I’ll probably stay in town through Christmas and then head home.”

“That’s nice. I know Stella loves having you home.”

Trevor steps up behind Ethan and slaps a hand on his shoulder. “We both love it when this guy makes it home. We’re hitting the canyon on Monday. Mountain bikes. If you want to join us.”

I hesitate a second, uncertain why he would invite me mountain biking, then it hits, he’s not. He’s talking to Dorian.

“Rain check? We’re flying out to visit Caroline’s parents for the holiday. But I’d like to take you up on that.”

“You’re in Colorado, right?” Trevor asks, his tone casual despite the detailed file on Dorian’s properties that I know exists in Arrow’s databases.

“I have a place there. As you know.” Dorian’s voice remains even, acknowledging the game without playing it.

“Right, I do.” Trevor’s gaze shifts to me, then back. “So you’ll be sticking around with this one?”

The protective intent behind the question hangs in the air. Dorian’s hand finds mine.

“I’ll do my best to do just that,” Dorian answers, a simple truth carrying the weight of promise.

With a wide grin, Ethan scratches his jaw and says, “Always so protective.” He slaps his dad on his back and steps away, saying, “Nice to meet you, Caroline. Dorian.”

We all watch as he joins Stella and Ava.

“He didn’t bring a date?” Sophia asks Trevor.

Trevor shakes his head, grinning. “No. He got corralled last minute into coming. But he’s spent years with these guys. They’re like family.”

“Ryan and Alex have kids too, right?”

“They do. College. They’re too busy these days when they’re home on break to come to something like this.”

“It’s a nice holiday party,” Dorian says, clearly making small talk.

“It’s smaller than normal. The guys from up north stayed up there this year.”

“Up north?” Dorian asks.

“Napa area,” Trevor says. “They’ve got family up there, so it’s hard to get away. A lot of our team works remotely. We also have team members based in North Carolina, but one of those guys just had a baby. They’re not here tonight either.”

“You’re talking about Knox, right?” I ask, and he grins with a nod. “The way Stella shares Knox’s daughter’s baby photos around the office, you’d think she’s the grandmother.”

“Have you worked with Knox?” Trevor asks.

“Not Knox, but I debriefed Sam.” I feel like I know him now. “He’s on sabbatical, right?”

“Well-deserved. He’s a good guy. On call if we need him, but hopefully, we won’t.”

The risk level has de-escalated. Our allies are working with us to assess the situation and enact appropriate prevention protocols. And it’s the holidays. The world feels calmer during festive periods.

“Let me know if there’s ever anything I can do,” Dorian says. He’s undoubtedly referring to his satellite network.

“For now, let’s hope we can all relax and enjoy the holidays,” Trevor says.

“You know, we’re talking about taking a summer vacation.

Bringing all of us together on Jack’s island at a time of year when it’s easier for everyone to get away.

If we do it, you’ll get to see everyone.

Knox and his baby included. The island’s fantastic.

Stella and I have a place there. We get away every chance we get. ”

“Stella mentioned it,” I say, remembering her office photo of Trevor windsurfing.

“Yeah, we’ve been talking about it for a while, but it’ll happen. Stella’s determined. If we do it, I hope you both can join us.” Trevor gives Dorian a firm handshake and steps away.

“Ethan was correct. Trevor is protective of you,” Dorian says.

“It’s just how he is. I’m in the office a lot, and since his office is in another building, he floats around, talking to everybody when he comes over. He’s gotten to know me, and he looks out for his team.”

“They know you left me, right?”

“You left emotionally before I left physically.” I point a finger at him with enough of a smile that it’s clear I’m not looking to start a world war, but I won’t bear the fallout of our marriage alone.

He nods. There’s a conversation going on behind those dark eyes of his again, and I’d push him to hear his thoughts, but we aren’t in the right place. Still, I’m done repeating past mistakes.

“Here’s what we’re going to do,” I tell him.

“We’re going to say hello to Ryan, and I’ll introduce you to his wife, Alex.

There’s more for us to discuss, but we won’t do it here.

Tomorrow, we have a long flight on a private plane and nothing to interrupt us.

I want to hear everything going on inside that head of yours. Got it?”

I reach up to tap his temple lightly with my index finger, and he circles my wrist and presses his lips to my palm.

“I like this side of you.”

“You do?”

“Taking charge. Speaking your thoughts.”

“Yeah, well, that goes both ways. Unless you say what you’re thinking, I can’t possibly know.”

“True.” His gaze roams the festive decorations and the lighted trees clustered in corners. Outside, lights wrap the palm trees. “Why don’t you have any decorations up in your house?”

“Didn’t feel it this season.” In truth, I haven’t decorated since I left our decorations behind in our townhouse. But those decorations weren’t on display in his home. “You didn’t decorate either.”

“No. My house manager offered, but I told her not to bother.”

“Do you still have our decorations?”

“I do. Found the boxes after moving to Colorado.”

“You found them?”

“Well, the packers found them. Asked me what to do with the boxes.”

“You worked with the packers?”

“No. The house manager did. She asked me.”

I grin, rolling my eyes.

We navigate the rest of the party, Dorian’s hand rarely leaving mine. As he charms Ryan’s wife with a story about satellite launches, I find myself watching him—this man I once left, now returned to me somehow both changed and the same—and still evolving.

Later, as we walk back along the moonlit path toward the cars, glittering string lights marking our way, he pulls me close against the evening chill.

“I never put up those decorations after you left,” he confesses quietly. “Couldn’t bear to see them without you.”

I stop, turning to face him. “I never bought new ones. Didn’t have the desire to replace what we had. Christmas kind of lost its sparkle.”

His smile reaches his eyes, crinkling the corners in that way that always makes my heart skip. “Next Christmas.”

“Next Christmas,” I echo, the simple phrase containing a universe of promises.

He brushes a strand of hair from my face, his touch lingering. “Maybe we could start a new tradition. Something just for us.”

“Like what?”

“I don’t know. Maybe we each choose one new ornament every year. Something that represents the year we had together.”

I smile, leaning into him. “What would this year’s be?”

“A helicopter,” he suggests with a laugh. “Or maybe a yacht.”

“Or maybe just a key,” I say softly. “For second chances and new beginnings.”

He pulls me close, his lips brushing my forehead. “I like that. The key to everything that matters.”

Around us, the holiday lights twinkle like stars brought down to earth, illuminating not just the path before us, but all the possibilities that lie ahead. Not a perfect ending, but a perfect beginning—again