“Ah, I thought he had.” Bryan sidestepped William, sounding apologetic. “I’m sorry, I can go.”

Swallowing the sudden lump in my throat, I steadied myself, because his voice sent prickles racing over my skin.

His words from earlier in the week assaulted me.

I can’t stop thinking about you . . .

When I felt prepared, I turned my attention to Bryan. His expression was truly repentant and concerned.

The sight of him, dressed so casually in jeans and a plain white T-shirt, his hair tousled like he hadn’t yet brushed it, his jaw shaded with two days’ stubble, shouldn’t have made my chest tight and achy. But it did. He did.

My heart melted and I sighed again, waving away his offer. “No. It’s . . . it’s fine.”

Bryan stepped completely around William and crossed to me, ducking his head as he caught my eyes and giving me a small, earnest smile. My insides twisted and rearranged themselves into chaotic knots.

“Hey. It’s no problem,” he said soothingly. “I thought Sean had cleared it with you, but no big deal. I can go. I’ll be seeing you tomorrow, in any case. I can wait.”

“No. Don’t do that. You should stay and visit with Patrick.” I gave Bryan a quick, tight smile, and walked around him, moving sightlessly to the door and saying to Sean, “I already said goodnight to Patrick. I’ll . . . see you later.”

I felt the weight and warmth of a big hand on my back as William leaned in and whispered, “You really do look great.”

I smiled up at him. “Thanks.”

“Have fun,” my cousin said, shoving my jacket at me, his features unrepentant as I glared at him from the corner of my eye. To William, he added, “But not too much fun.”

***

We did have fun.

Instead of organizing his closet, we went to dinner, and then to a nearby club for a few drinks—we both had tonic water, no gin.

William didn’t talk much, but he did ask a lot of questions. However, when I asked him about himself, he wasn’t especially vociferous with his answers.

“Where are you from in the States?”

“Kansas.”

“Oh. I’ve never been to Kansas. Do you miss it?”

“Sometimes,” he hedged. “Where did you go to school?”

“Uh, Boston. I love Boston.”

“Tell me.”

So I did.

And that pretty much summed up our night.

He wasn’t a talker, but he was a great listener. He was still asking questions even as he walked me to my door.

“What was Sean like growing up?” he asked, opening the door to my building and placing his hand on the small of my back.

“Oh, ha ha.” I shook my head, my grin automatic. “Basically the same as he is now.”

“Really?”

“Yes. When he was eight, all he wanted for Christmas was an Italian suit.”

William chuckled, insomuch as William chuckled, and blinked once slowly. “I believe it.”

“Actually,” I corrected, “he was also obsessed with the SkyMall catalogue. He loves gadgets, which is great for me because I always know what to get him. The odder the gadget, the more he’ll love it.”

“Like what?”

“Um, let’s see. Like a waffle maker that also warms your maple syrup.”

“That’s not that odd. That’s awesome.”

“Okay, then how about a serenity cat pod?” I withdrew my keys and faced the door to my apartment, half-hoping, half-despairing that Bryan was already gone.

“A what?”

“A pod with mood lighting that makes purring sounds and vibrates. It’s like a little bed, but more modern, for your cat.”

“He doesn’t have a cat.”

“Doesn’t matter. He would’ve loved it.”

I pushed open the door, my eyes still on William and his smile. It was the largest grin he’d given me all night and it lit up his whole face, made his rigid angles soften.

“You didn’t get it?” he asked, lingering in the hall.

“No, sadly. It cost a thousand euros.”

“A thousand euros?” William echoed, disbelief dripping from the words.

“What cost a thousand euros?”

I glanced over my shoulder and stiffened, backing up a step on instinct.

Bryan was still there. And he was yawning, like he’d been asleep, pulling his hand through his messy hair.

“A cat pod,” William answered easily, shaking his head. “Sean wants a cat pod for Christmas.”

“Why?” Bryan’s voice was roughened with sleep, and his eyes bounced between us. “I thought he liked dogs?”

William stroked his chin thoughtfully. “I think we should get it for him.”

“I agree.” Bryan strolled forward, a smirk tugging his full mouth to one side. His eyes slid to me and they heated. “Hey.”

“Hi,” I said, taking another automatic step away from him, my back connecting with the wall just inside my apartment.

Bryan continued to advance until he stood next to me, his gaze moving over my body unabashedly, but saying nothing.

A long, awkward moment stretched, where we all swapped increasingly uncomfortable stares but nothing was said. Or maybe just my stare was uncomfortable. Heat crawled up my cheeks and my heart beat menacingly between my ears. I couldn’t think of what to say as one tortuous minute became two.

Finally, finally William reached for my hand, drawing my attention to him. “Thanks for tonight.” He tugged me forward and placed a chaste kiss on my cheek, saying, “You’re good people, Eilish.”