We chose a small Italian restaurant on the edge of town, far enough from the hotel that I couldn't see the scaffolding from the window.
Julian was waiting at a table near the back. He'd changed out of his work clothes, but there was still a faint smear of graphite on his thumb.
"You made it," he said.
"I said I would."
"I know."
"I thought you were going to stop saying that."
"I'm trying."
I sat down. "How did the meeting go?"
"Good. The owners agreed to the revised schedule."
"Congratulations."
"Thank you. Your presentation made it easier."
"I did the work."
"You did."
We ordered pasta and a bottle of wine. For the first half hour, we talked about safe things: the hotel, Tess's new job, the irritating contractor who insisted on calling every fixture a lamp. I liked how quickl
