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Calder interrupted my thoughts. “Did you have fun last night?”

“I did, yeah. Rafe is so talented. I don’t understand how he can go from shattering glass against the floor to a masterpiece like that.”

Each time he smashed the glass, the audience would gasp, while Rafe didn’t even flinch. He’d started the performance by smashing a sledgehammer against a framed pane of glass, then got on the floor with a chisel and hammered the fine details of a portrait from the webs of cracks.

“It’s insane, isn’t it?” Calder grinned. “Like sorcery.”

“Where the heck did he learn how to do that?”

“It’s all self-taught, which is the crazy thing.”

It seemed like a miracle that Rafe hadn’t cut himself even once. The show had left me speechless, not only because of the art, but from the intensity of the artist. And there was no denying how captivating Rafe’s looks were, on top of everything else. That only added to the draw. Of course, I’d have to keep that opinion to myself.

“I can’t fathom having that kind of talent,” I said.

“Yeah.” Calder sipped his coffee. “It should be illegal to have that kind of talent and look like that, too, am I right? Fucking good-looking bastard.”

Apparently, Calder had read my mind. My cheeks felt hot as I hesitantly nodded in agreement, hiding behind my mug as I took a long sip of my coffee. Nat was totally enamored with Rafe. He was all she’d talked about last night and again this morning when I put her in an Uber headed to the airport. My friend couldn’t stay more than one night here, unfortunately, because she had to get back to Montana for work.

“Too bad Nat had to leave,” Calder added. “I was kind of thinking she and Rafe might get along. Not that Rafe needs any help meeting women, but you know…since she was here anyway.”

The idea of Rafe and Nat getting together gave me a twinge of jealousy, which was utterly ridiculous. Troubling, even.

Calder tilted his head. “You okay?”

“Yeah.” I breathed, downing some more coffee. “How about you?”

“Just a little tense about starting at the new office today, actually. We probably shouldn’t have gone out last night.” He rubbed his eyes. “I didn’t get enough sleep.”

“Well, you’d better have another coffee to wake you up.” I reached across the table. “You’re gonna do great, though. The anticipation is always worse than actually experiencing the feared event.”

He nodded. “On a logical level I know that, yeah.”

Calder was the Managing Director of Capital Markets at one of the highest-performing financial firms on Wall Street. But he’d worked in a smaller New Jersey office until now. His transfer to the downtown Manhattan office came with a lot more staff under him and increased visibility with the bigwigs. While I was excited for him, I could understand his nerves. But I knew he was going to do great. Calder had excelled at everything he’d ever tried in life. This would be no different.

A knock on the door caused me to jump in my seat.

“Come in!” Calder called.

Rafe appeared, and the apartment suddenly felt smaller. His long, dirty-blond locks were tied back in a man bun. A tight white tank hugged his chest, and his gray sweatpants hung low, showcasing his ripped abs.

Swallowing, I straightened in my seat. It’s way too early for this.

His deep voice was particularly raspy this morning. “I know this seems cliché as shit with the whole neighbor thing, but I ran out of milk for my coffee. You guys have any?”

“A cup of sugar would be more cliché.” Calder laughed. “Why don’t you just have coffee with us?”

“You sure? I didn’t want to bother you.”

Calder shook his head. “Yeah, man. I’m sure.”

Rafe poured himself a mug, then opened the fridge and added some milk. He was barefoot as he walked over to join us at the table. His feet were large with veins running through them, just like the hands that had worked magic last night. As Rafe sat down, I became cognizant of how much the mood had shifted. A waft of his cologne mixed with the smell of the coffee.

Rafe sat a bit slouched in the chair. He took a sip and looked between us. “Sorry we didn’t have a chance to talk much after the show last night.”

Calder crossed his arms and leaned back. “Well, you’re pretty damn popular. Everyone and their mother were coming up to see you. We would’ve had to stay all night just to get to say hello.”

“Yeah.” Rafe rolled his eyes. “Not the greatest thing for someone with social anxiety.”