Chapter 87
Nora's POV
I clutched the jewelry box in my lap, my thumb absently tracing the velvet surface as Julian navigated the quiet streets with practiced ease.
"You know," he glanced at me through the rearview mirror, his voice warm, "you could just enjoy it. You liking it is all the gift and I need."
I felt heat creep up my neck. "That's not how gifts work."
"Says who?"
"Says basic social etiquette."
He laughed, a low sound that seemed to resonate in my chest. "I'll make a note to consult you on all future social protocols then."
We chatted easily along the way. It was normal. Comfortable.
When we pulled up outside my building, Julian killed the engine but made no move to leave. Instead, he reached into the back seat and produced a large black umbrella.
I watched through the windshield as he circled around to my side, umbrella already open. When he pulled my door open, he angled the umbrella almost entirely over me, leaving his left shoulder and half his suit jacket exposed to the rain.
"Julian, you're going to get wet," I protested as we walked toward the building entrance.
"Then we'll just stay closer," his shoulder moved deliberately toward mine, and my heart skipped another beat.
By the time we reached inside the building, he reluctantly closed the umbrella. The overhead lights made the wet patches on his jacket stand out even more.
I dug through my bag and pulled out a small packet of tissues. "Here," I said, pressing them into his hand. "Your shoulder's still wet."
He accepted them with an amused expression, dabbing halfheartedly at his shoulder. "It's nothing. Really." His eyes met mine, and there was something gentle in them that made my breath catch. "You should head up. It's late."
I nodded. "Thank you. For tonight. For the gift. For... everything."
"It's what I wanted to do. Don't think too much about it."
I turned toward the elevator, my finger hovering over the call button. When I pressed it, I heard Julian's footsteps behind me, but they stopped a respectful distance away. The elevator dinged, and the doors slid open with a mechanical groan.
I stepped inside and turned around. Julian was still standing there in the dim hallway, hands in his pockets, those sharp features softened by something warm and tender.
The doors sealed shut, and I was alone.
My heart was doing that stupid fluttering thing again, beating so hard I could feel it in my throat. I looked down at the jewelry box still clutched in my hand, and despite all my careful walls and rational arguments—I felt my lips curve into a smile.
Shit. I might really be falling for him.
I tried to press my lips together, to force the smile away, but it wouldn't go.
The elevator reached my floor, and I stepped out.
I tiptoed through the door, not wanting to wake Aunt Marianne and the others at this late hour. Once back in my room, I immediately pulled out my phone and sent him a text: Made it home safe. Thank you for driving me back.
I walked to the window, drawn by some instinct I didn't want to examine too closely. Looking down at the street below, I saw his car still parked in the same spot.
Without thinking, I pushed the window open and leaned out, waving down at the car. For a moment, nothing happened. Then the driver's side window rolled down, and Julian's face appeared, tilted up toward me. He raised his hand in return.
Only then did he start the engine.
I watched the taillights disappear around the corner, then closed the window and leaned against it.
---
The next morning, I woke to the smell of bacon and fresh coffee. Sunlight streamed through my bedroom window, warm and gentle—a complete contrast to last night's storm. I padded out to the kitchen in my pajamas to find Aunt Marianne at the stove, humming softly as she flipped pancakes.
"Morning, sleepyhead," she said without turning around.
Lucas was already at the table, shoveling scrambled eggs into his mouth like he hadn't eaten in days. His hair was still damp from the gym.
"Morning," I mumbled, sliding into my usual chair.
Marianne set a plate in front of me—pancakes, bacon, and fresh berries arranged in a way that was almost too pretty to eat. "Don't forget," she said, pointing her spatula at me for emphasis. "Tomorrow's your birthday. I'm making roast chicken and apple pie, so you better come home at a decent hour."
"I will," I promised, pouring maple syrup over my pancakes. "I'll try to leave work early."
Lucas looked up from his plate, a wicked grin spreading across his face. "Speaking of your birthday, sis, I've already got your gift picked out."
I eyed him suspiciously. "Should I be worried?"
"Protein bars from the vending machine at the gym," he announced proudly. "They're doing a buy-three-get-one-free deal. Enough to last you a whole month for breakfast."
I rolled my eyes. "Wow, Lucas. Your generosity knows no bounds. Should I get you a box of expired protein powder in return? Really lean into the thoughtful gift theme?"
He clutched his chest dramatically. "You're trying to murder your own cousin!"
Marianne swatted Lucas on the shoulder with a dish towel. "Lucas Grey, you better get Nora a proper gift. None of this vending machine nonsense."
"I'm kidding!" Lucas protested.
I shook my head, but I was smiling.
My phone buzzed on the table. I glanced at the screen and saw a message from Vincent: Morning meeting at 9. Don't be late.
---
I arrived at the office with ten minutes to spare, still nursing a travel mug of coffee. The morning meeting was already in full swing when I slipped into the conference room, taking a seat near the back.
Our supervisor was at the front, clicking through slides on his laptop. "—which brings us to tomorrow's event," he was saying. "The Federal Environmental Protection Agency and Silverton City Hall are co-hosting the kickoff for the Rust Belt Renewal Initiative. This is an environmental event taking place at the Silver River Wetland Nature Reserve."
"This is a big one," he continued. "Federal officials will be there, including representatives from the Office of the Inspector General. Local government, corporate sponsors, the works. It's great PR for the city, and we need solid coverage."
He looked directly at me. "Nora, you and Vincent will handle this one."
My heart skipped. Federal officials. Office of the Inspector General.
Julian.
"Any questions?" he asked.