Page 35 of New Year's Faye

I needed to do something with my hands—the anger still sizzled in my blood.

"I wish it had been his face." I set the kettle to boil, leaning against the counter to face her. "But I also want to understand why seeing him hurts you so much."

She was quiet for a long moment, fidgeting with the hem of her dress. Finally, she looked up, meeting my eyes. "When he did what he did, he didn't just steal my work, Sam. He stole my confidence. Made me doubt everything about myself—my judgment, my professionalism, my ability to separate personal from business."

"And now?"

"Now he's here, watching, waiting for me to mess up again." Her laugh was bitter. "Maybe I already have."

I crossed to her, kneeling in front of her bench so she had to look at me. "Hey. You haven't messed up anything."

"Haven't I?" Her eyes searched mine. "Our marriage, that kiss..."

"Was perfect," I finished. "And I'd very much like to do it again. But only when you're ready."

Surprise flickered across her face. "You’re serious?”

"Deadly." I took her hands in mine, enjoying how perfectly we fit together. "Not to be dismissive but you’re a fucking great kisser."

She stared at our joined hands, then back at me. "I… you are too.”

I grinned. “I know.”

She kicked me.

"Look, as much as I want to kiss you, I’m also okay if we stay exactly as we are. Friends, partners, whatever you need." I squeezed her fingers gently. "But I hope you'll give us a chance. When you're ready."

The kettle whistled, breaking the moment. I stood, reluctantly letting go of her hands to fix our tea.

"Sam?"

"Hmm?"

"I’ll think about it.”

I turned back to her, finding her watching me with soft eyes. "Yeah?"

She nodded. "Yeah. Just... give me time?"

"All you need." I handed her a mug of peppermint tea, then settled onto the bench opposite. "Though I should warn you, I might stare at you a lot. And think about kissing you. Probably write some embarrassingly romantic songs."

She snorted and we settled into comfortable silence, sipping our tea and stealing glances at each other across the small space. Eventually, exhaustion caught up with me.

“Gonna head to bed.”

“I should too.”

We headed up to the sleeping area, swapping between the bathroom as we quietly got ready for bed.

"Goodnight, Sam," she said softly, climbing into her bunk.

"Goodnight, Faye."

I lay in my bunk opposite hers, watching as she settled in, her silk bonnet already in place. She caught me looking and smiled—a real smile, soft and sweet and just for me.

"Sam?"

"Yeah?"

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