Back in the living room, Julian was standing by the windows, sipping scotch on the rocks from a glittering glass. He turned as Lexi entered, his eyes searching hers.
“How’d it go?” he asked.
Lexi raised a brow. “Surprisingly well. She didn’t stab me.”
He chuckled under his breath and poured her a drink. “That’s what I call progress.”
Lexi took the glass and moved beside him, staring out at the city skyline. The world outside sparkled with possibility, but in here—this moment—it was quiet. Warm.
“She’s protective,” Lexi said after a beat. “She cares about you.”
Julian looked down at his drink. “She’s always been that way. Even when she was a kid. After her mom left... she stopped trusting people. Especially women.”
Lexi looked up at him. “Do you?”
He met her gaze, surprised. “Do I w
