Look through the blinds.
I stepped onto the balcony, shivering as the cool night breeze kissed my skin. Below, Ronan stood in his scrubs, exhaustion etched into his features, but his smile sent warmth through me.
I quickly texted back—Be there in a sec—then tugged on my pajama pants and robe, my heart pounding as I rushed downstairs.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, still breathless.
He looked up, eyes heavy with fatigue. “Had a late shift, started driving… and somehow, I ended up here.”
A soft smile tugged at my lips. “Somehow, huh?”
His wrinkled scrubs and dark circles told one story, but the way he looked at me told another—one of longing, of inevitability.
“Lifealwaysleads me back to you, Nina,” he whispered, and astorm of butterflies erupted in my chest.
“Hop in,” he urged, nodding toward his Jeep.
“Now?” I raised a brow.
“Only for a little while. I promise.”
His grin was playful, but the sincerity in his eyes made it impossible to say no.
I grabbed my slippers, letting my robe fall away as I slid into the passenger seat.
“I expected more of a fight,” he teased.
“Not tonight, Ronan.” I smiled despite myself.
The moment I settled into the seat, his scent closed around me, warm and achingly familiar. It settled low in my chest and stayed there.
We drove in silence, the night pressing against the windows, heavy with everything we refused to say.
When we pulled up beside the High Line, I lifted a brow. “A late-night park stroll? You should have warned me so I could bring snacks.”
He opened my door, his hand warm against my skin. “Not for eating. For talking. It’s quiet up here at night. Lucio and I used to come here when the world got too loud, but we’re too busy for that now.”
We walked along the empty path, city lights glinting off steel rails while the distant hum of traffic softened into something almost gentle. I glanced at him, the moonlight tracing the exhaustion in his face, the softness in his eyes making my chest tighten.
“This is beautiful,” I murmured.
“My view is better.”
I turned, expecting the skyline, only to find his gaze fixed on me, dark and intent.
“Always the smooth one,” I said, heat creeping into my cheeks.
“Only for you,tesoro.”
“Hopefully.”
“Definitely.” His tone left no room for doubt. “So talk to me. Five years. What did I miss?”
“What don’t you know?” I asked.
“Doesn’t matter what I know or don’t know. I want it from you.”
I huffed a soft laugh. “You want the crash course?”
