Chapter 12: An Accidental Brush

The cold night air faintly smelled like rain that had fallen hours earlier. Isla walked off the structure with soft heels on the moist earth. Around her the city was alive, soft glow from neon lights tinting the streets pink and blue. She paused after the pitch conference to let the hum of New York at night sink in and help her to separate from the still-running flow of adrenaline.

It had done better than she could have imagined. Working with Noah had been surprisingly easy. Although their banter had changed with time, it remained as sharp and irregular as it had been years earlier. For two people meant to be little more than business colleagues, their entering an old rhythm that seemed far too familiar was both exciting and upsetting.

Lost in her thoughts, she had no idea the tall man only a few feet away was there until he spoke. "Did not expect I would find you here."

Startled, Isla turned to see Noah sloppily curled on the side of the bui