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“I’ll stay on the phone.”

The street is bright, and there are people outside every bar and restaurant. I feel perfectly safe, but I don’t tell him that.

Eric tells me that one of the visitors asked how they got the tree through the hotel doors. He said they built the lobby around it, and he still isn’t sure whether the man knew he was joking.

By the time he finishes, I’ve crossed another street.

“Did you win trivia?” he asks.

“Third place.”

“How many teams?”

“Not important.”

“Four?”

“Twelve.”

“I’m impressed.”

“Chloe knew most of the answers. I provided support.”

“What kind of support?”

“I said, ‘I knew that,’ after everything she wrote.”

“So management.”

“Exactly.”

I turn onto my street and reach the entrance to my building.

“I’m home.”

“Inside?”

I unlock the door and step into the lobby. “Now I am.”

“Good. I’ll see you at seven.”

“With dinner.”

“I remember.”

A brief silence passes.

“Rachel?”

“Yes?”

“I’m glad you called.”

Warmth spreads through me. “Goodnight, Eric.”

“Goodnight.”

The call ends. I’m smiling before I reach the elevator, and this time, I don’t try to stop.