Page 155 of Until the Last Star Fades

“The countdown’s starting!” Spencer shrieked off camera, her jumping up and down jostling Ben.

“Ten…nine…”

“Riley? You okay?” He leaned in, his expression pinching like the party and Spencer were too much. “It’s too noisy! I love you!”

“…five…”

Riley’s heart felt heavy as she raised her voice. “Happy New Year—LOVE YOU.”

Ben pointed to his ears in frustration and lowered his phone, but FaceTime wasn’t disconnected, and Riley could still see and hear.

Spencer yelled, “Ben, that perv’s coming over…”

“…three…”

“I’m not kissing you, you daft cow.” Ben shook his head and shifted the phone, cutting off Riley’s view.

“…one…”

His phone jerked and Big Ben bonged. “HAPPY NEW YEAR!” burst though Riley’s speaker.

“Ew! Freddie!” Spencer wailed. “You kiss like a fucking fish!”

Hitting disconnect, a relieved smile warmed Riley’s face.

• • •

Valentine’s Day 2019, 4:55 P.M. in NYC / 9:55 P.M. in the UK

Red roses and lilies graced her co-workers’ desks, but Riley wasn’t envious one bit. She admired the blue forget-me-nots beside her computer. “My flowers, Ben! They’re perfect, and I’ve eaten half the candy already.” She peeled the plastic off her microwaved lasagna, letting a curl of hot steam escape.

“Good, glad you like ’em, love!” Ben’s image bounced and the background behind him—books, shelves—flew past as he quickened his pace. “The florist over there tried to talk me into roses. I reckon they thought I was a cheap bastard.”

Riley giggled, digging a fork into her hot dinner. “Did my present arrive?”

“Yeah! Equinox Ten—‘Star-drive to maximum power!’” He mimicked the cult TV show’s iconic salute and laughed. “I’ve wanted that box set forever! Cheers, Riles.”

“Did you get my latest addition to the ‘4 Benjamin’ playlist?”

“No, don’t think so. Send it again?” He stared into his phone. “Uh, you’re just eating lunch now?”

“No, I’m staying late—this is early dinner.” She fiddled with her phone, sending him the missing playlist text—“When I Think of You” by Janet Jackson. “I’m going all out on a report for my boss. There are rumors of amazing job postings soon, so…I want to stand out, you know?”

“Right.” He spotted her text and smiled but seemed preoccupied, jogging up some stairs.

“Is everything okay?”

“Uh, fine. I’m…finding a quiet corner. Fourth floor should do it—no one will look for me in Economics.”

“You’re working a late one, too…”

“Yeah, ’til closing.” He ducked into an abandoned alcove of tall bookshelves. “Riles, they told me this afternoon—they’re sending me on a course.” He didn’t look happy.

“Is that…good or bad?”

“Both, I guess. I’ll get paid a bit more afterwards, but I have to make a decision.”

“Oh?”