Declan's car rolled to a stop on my street. I straightened in the backseat and gripped the clasp of the belt, but Jim curled his fingers around my wrist, squeezing lightly. "Wait."

Declan swiveled his head, and a knowing smile tugged at his lips. "I'll call Mel outside," he said, plucking his phone from the center console.

As soon as he left the vehicle, Jim wrapped an arm around my shoulders and brought me to his chest. My fingertips danced across the cotton of his white tee,  inching higher until his stubble prickled the pads. 

"This feels fucking wrong." He sighed into my hair.

I rested my cheek on his shoulder. "The end of our vacation?"

"The guys are probably happy it ended because they had to work. Obviously, not me. Saying goodbye feels wrong."

"Will it feel less wrong if I kiss you?"

The smirk on Jim's tanned face said, try and find out. I smoothed my palm over the back of his neck and slanted my mouth over his.

Firm lips parted, giving me better access. My heartbeat stuttered at the feeling of his hands on me—one on my bare shoulder, another one under my skirt, on the curve of my bum, caressing me like he'd done countless times. And just like now, it was never enough.

"Still feels wrong." Jim's husky whisper blew across my lips. He claimed them again, adding slow flicks of his tongue while he hugged me so tightly I felt each ridge of muscle under his clothes.

When we broke apart, I sank into his embrace, the top of my head nestling under his chin.

"What are you going to do when you get home?"

Jim chuckled. "Take a cold shower. Have some strong coffee. Check my email. Do laundry. Call the guys."

"Thank you for the vacation. It was wonderful."

He ran a thumb along my jaw. "Don't. I needed it. We both did. And we should travel together more often."

"I'd like to do something for you too, you know? If I worked—"

"Ava." Warning rang in Jim's voice. "You do so much for me already. Please don't go there. I do things because I can and because I want to. Got it?"

"Got it."

Silence cocooned us for a few heartbeats. Just like Jim, I wished I didn't have to leave Declan's Toyota, but the poor guy finished the call and was pacing the sidewalk.

"You shouldn't make Declan wait," I said to Jim, straightening my clothes. "I'll get my stuff."

"I'll help you with the suitcase."

I traced the shape of Jim's brow with my index finger. "It has wheels, and it's not heavy at all."

With reluctance written across his features, Jim opened the door and got out. After pulling my small suitcase out of the trunk, he kissed me once more and leaned against the Toyota.

I said goodbye to Declan and walked up the driveway, knowing Jim was watching me. Although I told him he could come in, he refused, saying I needed a moment with my dad. 

As soon as I turned the key in the lock, my stomach churned, settling a bit when I caught a whiff of the familiar smell — the flowery scent of the candle Harper gave me mixed with the aroma of coffee Dad must've brewed.

"I'm home," I called, reaching down to take off my sandals.

Dad dashed down the stairs, grinning. "Finally."

He lifted me off my feet as if I still were a little girl and spun me around. "Welcome back, Pumpkin."

"I missed you." I kissed his cheek.

"Don't lie to your father." He winked. "I'm sure you had better things to do. Want some coffee?"

"Yes, please." 

Dad ruffled my hair and headed to the kitchen, glancing over his shoulder as if he wanted to make sure I followed.

"How was Spain?" he asked, pouring coffee into my mug.

I took it from him and sat at the table. "Wonderful."

Dad plopped on a chair across from me. "I've always loved that country. Did you get to see a lot?"

"Mainly Mallorca. Madrid too, but…"

Pity flooded his gaze. "Are you okay? And please, be honest."

"I am. Jim helped me a lot by being by my side and supporting me. And when we were on vacation, my…Marina didn't cross my mind at all."

"She called me," Dad said.

I lowered my eyes to the pitch-black liquid in my mug. "What for?"

"She told me off for letting you travel to see her. I said you're an adult. I couldn't have stopped you, anyway."

"She just ignored me. Didn't even say hello, as you already know."

Dad nodded. "Yeah. I'm sorry, baby."

"Don't be. I left what happened behind, and you should too. Did you transfer the money back like I asked you to?"

"Not yet."

I groaned, slamming the mug on the table. Coffee sloshed over the rim, spilling onto the tablecloth.

"Sorry," I muttered, rising to my feet to get a rag and clean the mess I made.

Dad laughed. "That's the temper I love. I will, Ava. I just wanted to make sure you didn't change your mind."

I wiped the small puddle and lowered myself onto the chair again. "It's okay, but I didn't. I'm not going to hold grudges, but I don't need reminders, either. I'd rather get a job and earn money myself. It might not be that much, but it won't be attached to stuff that made me unhappy."

"I'll do it right now." Dad reached into his pocket. "I'm happy you're back."

***

The following morning, Harper came over to gossip and help me choose clothes for the meeting with Virginia Sutton. Both activities were fun, and we missed each other too much not to use the chance to hang out.

"That one too," Harper said from my bed, chewing a pastry she brought.

I reached for the plaid skirt.

She coughed, laughing. "Ava, no. Not what I meant. That one's good for a bedroom roleplay with your guy. You know, the professor and his naughty student."

I shook my head. "What have you been reading, Dr. Lincoln?"

"Nothing worthy lately. I needed your advice, but Mr. Coffee kidnapped you."

"Roleplay, kidnapping…I feel like I need to raid your bookcase."

Harper stuck her tongue out. "Don't judge the hard-working doctor who finally has some free time."

"No judgment." I took a blue sleeveless dress off the hanger and pressed it to my chest. "This one? With a blazer on top?"

"Or without. It'll be hot, and the dress looks formal enough. I do think it's a job interview."

"Bookstore is my only experience. I don't think I'm qualified to work for the most important cultural magazine."

Unless Virginia got in touch with me because of who my boyfriend was. Jim wouldn't meddle, but everyone knew him. And now that we weren't hiding, some people knew me, too.

Harper wiped her hands with a napkin and shrugged. "You never know. They might need a substitute or a trainee."

I padded to the bed and spread the dress next to Harper on the comforter. "Help me choose jewelry, please. And regardless of what happens tomorrow, I need to start looking for a job. I feel uncomfortable asking Dad for money, and I wouldn't ask Jim. It's just wrong. I'm not with him because of who he is."

"I'm sure he knows, but I understand. Depending on your partner financially creates an imbalance in a relationship. Sometimes you don't have a choice or decide it's the best way if you take care of the house and kids, but—"

"We're not married. We don't even live together yet."

Harper narrowed her eyes and edged forward. "Yet?" 

"He asked me to move in with him before our trip," I said, sitting by her side.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing. He didn't insist, but I know he wants it. Badly."

"Do you?"

I lay on the bed and stared at the ceiling. "I do. But after what happened with my birth mother, it feels wrong to leave Dad now. I don't want him to think I'm moving out because of him keeping the truth from me. It's also a bit scary."

Harper lay next to me and took my hand, lacing our fingers. "Growing up always is. But something tells me Alan would understand. You're a young woman now. He sure knows you won't live with him forever."

My eyes shifted to Harper's smiling face. "You should've become a therapist, Dr. Lincoln."

"Duh." Harper snorted. "A therapist whose love life is a mess? The imposter syndrome wouldn't let me sleep at night if I had to give people relationship advice. If you want to laugh, I can tell you about another date fiasco. Ready?"

"Bring it on," I said. What I didn't say was that although Harper was convinced my dad didn't like her, he might be too scarred by his past to try something with her. 

Unfortunately, nobody could change that other than him and some time.

***

The offices of The Cultural Digest took up two floors of a high rise a block away from Jim's condo.

The elevator took forever to arrive, so I had enough time to study the spotless marble floor of the lobby and the abstract artworks on the walls. Much to my shame, I failed to understand what the paintings represented, but focusing on the splashes of paint settled my nerves.

When I exited the elevator on the tenth floor, chatter and laughter floated in the air that smelled of coffee like it would in any coffee shop. 

I clutched the strap of my purse and took a step forward.

"Ava."

Virginia stood in the doorway of what must've been her office, holding the door open. "Come in."

Despite the pep talks I gave myself, my body felt stiff, and the handshake I gave Virginia was weak, partly because I was terrified she'd realize my palms were damp.

"Take a seat." Virginia pointed to a small beige couch. "Coffee?" 

I sat and clasped my hands in my lap. "If that's okay."

"I wouldn't offer if it weren't. How do you like it?"

"Black."

"Wait a minute." She sauntered out of the room, and I took advantage of her absence to take deep breaths and remind myself it was just a chat with the person I had already met and liked.

"Here you are." Virginia handed me a mug and sat on the other end of the couch.

"Unfortunately, today's a busy day, so I'll get straight to the point. The offer I told you about has to do with books. We need a person to write about new releases and attend book-related events such as signings and book fairs. Is that something you'd be interested in doing?"

It'd be my dream job. Also, the job I wasn't qualified for. 

"Yes," I said, grip on my coffee mug tightening. "But…does your offer have anything to do with my boyfriend?"

Virginia tapped her red nails on the coffee cup in her hands. "Was he the one who recommended books to me?"

Heat rose to my face, setting my cheeks aflame. "Of course not. That was a stupid question."

"A woman's worth isn't determined by the man she's with, Ava. Even if the man is a celebrity. I'll give you an assignment. Show me what you're capable of, and the job is yours. Deal?"

I straightened my shoulders. "Deal."