Gray's thumb was still hovering when he tapped the message open.[Lexi M.: About that lunch... I actually have something free this Thursday. Would that work?] He read it twice. Then sat up slowly on the bed."She actually meant it," he muttered.He had half convinced himself it was one of those things people say to be warm — an offer with no real follow-through behind it. But here it was, three days out, specific and waiting for a reply.He stared at the screen for a good ten seconds before starting to type. He deleted his first draft. Then his second. On the third attempt, he kept it simple.[Gray: Yeah, I'd love that. I'm free most days after work. Which day is good for you?]He hit send. Then immediately read it back."Most days after work." He dropped his head slightly. "I sound like I have nothing going on for me. She'd probably think I'm lame."Her reply came before he could spiral further.[Lexi M.: How about Thursday? There's a quiet place I like near the city. The food's goo

"No," Gray said after a moment. "I'm not seeing anyone right now. I'm single."The words came out steadier than he expected. But behind them, without warning, a thought surfaced.Selina.Her face passed through his mind in the space of a second — quiet, unhurried, like something that had been waiting for a gap to appear. He pushed it down before it could settle into anything. He didn't know why it surfaced now, and he wasn't going to examine it across a lunch table.Lexi's lips curved into a small smile. "I see." She paused just a moment. "That's good."Two words, dropped lightly, without elaboration.Gray nodded and said nothing back. He was not going to read into it. He was also not fully succeeding at that, if he was being honest with himself.The food arrived before the silence could stretch too long. The server set Lexi's pasta and salad down with quiet efficiency, then placed Gray's burger and fries in front of him. The smell hit immediately. He hadn't eaten since early morning

After that day, Gray and Lexi didn't meet again in person.Life pulled them back to their own work. But every now and then, his phone would buzz with her name on the screen. Sometimes a short call out of nowhere. Sometimes a message asking how things were going. The conversations were never long, but they came, and that was enough to keep the afternoon at the gallery from feeling like a one-off.At the same time, things with Selina had grown warmer too.She came by their unit regularly now. Every Saturday and Sunday morning, she would arrive with a smile and take her usual seat at the breakfast table. The dining table that had once been a place for quick, quiet meals had turned into something that stretched an hour or more. Lily made sure of that.Selina always seemed genuinely at ease in their home. But what Lily loved most was the desserts — Selina had a habit of bringing something sweet every time she came, and she never showed up empty-handed.Today was Sunday. Dinner was already

"How was your work, Gray? Grandfather said you've been busy. I'm glad you didn't forget our promise to Lily." "Of course, Selina. I wouldn't break a promise. Not with Lily." Gray smiled as he greeted her. When Friday arrived, Gray left work earlier than usual. He had reminded himself to ease up, and fortunately Ben and Mara were both understanding. It helped that Ben had already pulled together a hiring team in a single day, which had taken some of the pressure off. Still, Gray made sure things were in order before he walked out. He wasn't leaving with loose ends behind him. "Is Lily upstairs?""She is." Selina chuckled. "She got so excited when I told her I was coming down to meet you. I barely made it to the elevator." She noticed his hands were full and quickly reached over to take one of the bags. "You bought so much." Gray shifted the cake box carefully against his chest as they walked toward the elevator. "I also prepared some food upstairs," Selina said, eyeing the takeo

Their mouths found each other a second time, slower now, a silent passion burning through them as the air seemed to still. Selina's fingers wrapped around the back of his neck while Gray's hand settled at her waist and drew her in.A soft sound left her lips.His hand moved from her waist upward, traveling slowly, and she felt the warmth of it through the thin fabric of her pajamas. A shiver moved through her body. Her thoughts went quiet. She stopped thinking entirely, her whole body aware of nothing except each small, deliberate movement.Gray tilted his head and his lips left hers, trailing down the line of her jaw to the curve of her neck. He gathered her hair gently to one side, clearing the space, and pressed his mouth there. Selina closed her eyes. She kept her lips firmly pressed together, but keeping quiet took effort. Pleasure moved through her in slow, steady waves.He found a sensitive spot and stayed. His tongue traced a slow circle, then he pulled back slightly before re