Perkin

tared at Cristian, my eyes wide with horror at my own outburst. He stared back, his expression a pe

ringly awkward man from our chats. The intimidating author and the shy, bewildered man in

t ridiculous excuse that flew into my head. "A

g it like a lifeline. "I need to... go to

out of my chair and fled toward the hallwa

k deep, gulping breaths. My hands were shaking so violently I could barely operate my phone. With frantic taps, I logge

Just a long night at w

took one more deep breath, and for

chair, scrolling through the design file. He looked u

e all business, as if my bizarre outburst had never happened.

rilliant. He knew exactly what he wanted and, more impressively, he knew the technical design language to explain it. The

, he leaned back. "There. T

d it almost made me dizzy. "Great

u live?" he

m sor

take the subway alone at this

ng. Alone in a car with him? The intima

ably a little too quickly. "I'

ng no room for argument. It wasn' t a

d. There was no g

rage, my phone buzzed in my po

I can breathe again. I was thinking... I need

terminedly out the passenger window, watching the city lights b

ddenly, his voice startling me. "I' m not very good a

on what to buy... for me. My own birthday was next week.

" I stammered. "It

ttle bit stubborn. She doesn' t like expensive things. I sent her a

membered that argument. I had told him his money meant nothing

voice quiet. "Something that takes time and

idea. Thank you." He glanced over at me. "H

I said, my h

s your

ame from the payment app, but he was testing me. Seeing if

said. "My na

ul in his voice. We pulled up to my apartment building. The c

ide," I said, reachi

said again,

of emotions swirling within them. He looked like he was on the verge

was gone. He blinked and gave a

aid, unlocking the d

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