But not right now . . .

I weave through the small crowd, making my way out to the patio, to the lone figure in a suit, leaning over the railing, taking in the city, his broad shoulders hunched slightly. The outdoor furniture has all been tucked away for the winter, but the canopy of lights remains and, with the dusting of snow that falls from the sky, it gives the space a magical feel.

The two glasses of champagne I just guzzled warm my body enough that I don’t immediately feel the bite from the cold air against my bare skin. I chose a sleek black satin dress for tonight. By the glow in Kyle’s eyes every time they touch me, I’d say I chose right.

“What are you doing out here all alone?”

“Enjoying the view.” I hear the smile in his voice, his back still to me.

I sidle up behind him, sliding my arms around his waist. “Who are you hiding from?”

“Lawan.”

I burst out laughing. My sister-in-law is a soft-spoken and kind woman who has likely never uttered a single harsh word about anyone. “What did he say now?” I ask with forced patience. My father wasn’t happy when I told him that Kyle and I had reconciled, but he wasn’t surprised. He’s been relatively tolerant of the relationship, with only a few jibes here and there. It’s almost as if he’s trying to accept the idea of us. That or he’s biting his tongue and waiting for us to fail all on our own.

In any case, I haven’t forgiven him for the past yet.

Kyle slides his hand over mine. “Besides telling me I needed a new suit?”

“Don’t listen to him. You look good.” I offered to buy him a Tom Ford but he refused, as Kyle refuses all gifts I try to give him. Which is why I’ll be buying him a custom suit for Christmas.

He smirks. “He also told me I should be applying for a supervisory position at Rikell. I took that as his way of saying I’m not a complete idiot, so I bolted before he could say anything else.”

I nestle my chin on his shoulder. “Yeah, I’d say that’s a good start. Though, you know he’s going to keep pushing you until you’re running the whole damn thing, right?”

“That’s not likely to happen.” Kyle shifts in my arms, allowing him to wrap his arms around my back and pull me into his body, into his warmth. “A supervisor isn’t a bad idea, though. I have more than enough years of experience. Maybe I’ll look into it.” Kyle is working front-desk security at a building six blocks away from mine. As much as I loved seeing him throughout the day, it was a good move. It forces me to get home at a reasonable hour every night, so I can spend time with him. If there’s one thing that my parents’ mess has taught me, it’s that I don’t want to repeat my father’s mistake of putting the business before my heart.

“Good idea.” I press my lips against the corner of his, where the tiny lip ring scar remains. “Maybe you can climb the ladder far enough to change the rules about face piercings and get this redone.”

His body shakes with his laughter. And then he’s kissing me, and the cold, the people milling in the background, the music . . . everything simply melts away.

“I see a lake,” a voice calls out.

We break free and turn to find Zelda watching us curiously from ten feet away, her garb—colorful beaded cloth, draped over her body in flowing layers, capped with a brilliant fuchsia overcoat—all the more striking against a snowy backdrop. She’s every stereotype I imagined Ashley’s psychic to be, right down to the wild mane of graying hair, the deep smoker’s voice, the piercing eyes.

“I see a lake,” she repeats, “and sunshine and warmth, and enduring love.”

“You’re telling us about our past.” Kyle’s arms tighten around me. “I’m more interested in knowing about our future.”

Zelda’s eyes crinkle with her smile.