Page 55 of Paws & Order
"You'll be okay here?"
I smile.
"I'll survive. Unless I get drafted into float construction."
He nods.
Then leans down and presses a kiss near my temple.
Brief.
Careful.
Dangerous.
"Call if anything weird happens."
"That narrows it down."
His smile finally appears.
Then he's gone.
The apartment immediately feels quieter.
Which is ridiculous.
He's only been gone ten seconds.
Gomez hops onto the couch.
The coffee still smells the same.
The flowers are still on the table.
Nothing has changed.
Except everything has.
By ten o'clock, I've alphabetized event permits, answered emails, and spent an embarrassing amount of time thinking about the shape of Cassian's hand against my back.
I give up and text him.
Me: How am I supposed to get work done when you keep leaving the place all calm and emotionally supportive?
Ten minutes later, my phone buzzes.
Instead of a reply, it's a photo.
Gomez sitting on the couch.
Staring at the blue flowers.
Cassian: Gomez says you're safe.
Cassian: Also I can see the coffee mug you didn't wash from here.
Me: Lies. I washed it.
