Page 71 of When Annika Met Thom

“That’s just it. I was planning to move here. That’s why I took the train and brought Percival, so we could be together.”

Thom looked up at her in surprise. “But you have a job in Portland.”

“And the company intends to open an east coast office, based on the F5F project. I can already see that they’re going to get a lot of calls about custom work.”

He picked up his chopsticks thoughtfully. “You weren’t planning to go home then.”

“Not for long. So, now I have to review the plan and tweak it.”

“How?”

“I don’t know. Maybe I should move here anyway. I like it, a lot, and I feel it’s time for a change. What do you think the chances are of my running into Leo by surprise?”

“Pretty low, unless you live in the same neighborhood.”

She sipped her drink and thought about that. “Any suggestions?”

“Well, if you’re looking for a partner who makes good money…”

Annika smiled. “The better to fund the whole babies and house thing.”

He flicked her a look, obviously not knowing whether she was kidding or not.

“That was a joke. I don’t want babies, remember?”

He raised his brows but didn’t comment on that. “Or a professional, then you’ll want to pick a prosperous neighborhood, like the Upper West or Upper East side.”

“I have to go see those areas then. Are they expensive?”

“Every neighborhood is expensive.”

“Even this one?”

“Less so.” Thom told her the rent on the apartment and she surveyed it in dismay. “I could get a studio apartment, maybe.”

“Or a roommate.”

It was on the tip of her tongue to make a suggestion, but she caught herself in time. She asked where people advertised for roommates and kept the conversation neutral, letting Thom tell her about the city.

She refilled their glasses for the last time, her thoughts swirling with possibilities. “It’s exciting,” she said. “I feel like I’m starting on a new adventure.”

“I thought you were already having one.” Thom cast her a glance, his dark eyes smoldering again.

“That look,” she said, leaning across the table for a quick kiss. “It makes you look like you’re planning something.”

Thom caught her nape in one big warm hand and turned her short kiss into a long one that showed no signs of ending.

“Of course, I am,” he said when he finally lifted his mouth from hers. Annika was simmering to her toes. “Round two has to build upon success.”

“Too soon after dinner?”

“Nope.” Thom put the dishes into the sink in record time, gave Cerberus a few cubes of tofu, then swept Annika into his arms to carry her to the bedroom. She kicked her feet and kissed him, happier than she’d been in a long while.

Then his phone rang. He’d left it on the kitchen table and they both turned to look at it.

He hesitated, then put her down. He picked up the phone and grimaced. Whoever it was, he didn’t think he could duck the call, obviously, because he cast a glance her way. “Just five minutes,” he said. “Sorry.” Then he went to the window, which only made Annika curious as to who was calling him. She knew Thom would see that question as an attempt to build connections, so went to the bathroom instead.

It might kill her but she wouldn’t ask.

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