I’ve been fidgeting all day. It’s a good thing I didn’t join the other girls for a manicure before the event because my fingernails would’ve been destroyed anyway from all the nail-biting.

Even though well-dressed servers have been offering me tiny morsels of expensive food, I can’t bring myself to eat even a little bite. I did drink a glass of champagne, though. They don’t call alcohol liquid courage for nothing.

Most people think I’m just feeling nervous about having a new job, living in a new city, or working with new people. The truth is, in the week that I’ve been here, I’ve settled quite nicely into a rhythm.

I spent the weekdays working and having lunch with the girls from the office. During the nights and weekends, I hung out with Marco and Sally, his girlfriend. I don’t feel like a third wheel at all around them. And their friends have also given me a warm welcome.

They even took me to the tourist attractions that they must’ve visited hundreds of times before. I saw a bird’s eye view of the city from atop the Space Needle and checked out delicate, colorful artwork at the Chihuly Garden and Glass Exhibition. I’ve gotten addicted to the food at the Pike Place Market, especially the famous clam chowder and Beecher’s cheese — I don’t even mind waiting in the long lines.

I’m so glad Marco’s downtown apartment is within walking distance from the market. After enjoying all the conveniences living downtown, I’m definitely going to live in the area myself. I’ve checked out a few cozy studios and one-bedroom apartments, and they’re definitely affordable with my new salary.

Marco and Sally told me to hold out for a good one, though. They say I can stay with them for as long as I need.

I feel like I’m already a Seattleite now. I have local friends, I love the local food, and I’m even going to have my own place soon. Everything is finally falling into place for real.

But truth be told, I keep thinking about Cole. Not long after I arrived, I heard about Cole being here as well. It’s pretty big news among the people I work with and they were all surprised I didn’t know before they told me.

Apparently, Cole has been setting up meeting after meeting with big names in the industry, but nobody knows what he’s planning to do yet.

Since I found out he’s here, I haven’t been able to relax. I feel like I might run into him somewhere.

Like, I’d be checking out a new part of the city and I’d think about how much of a waste it was that I didn’t get to explore the city during the business trip. Then I’d think about the conference and how I was so focused on working and, to be honest, on Cole. And then he’d completely dominate my thoughts and I’d continuously look around to see if he’s around.

I’m not angry at him anymore. In fact, I’m a little embarrassed when I think about my outburst the last time we spoke. But I can’t decide how to react when I inevitably see him again.

As if he can hear my thoughts, Marco taps me on the shoulder with a big, excited grin on his face. “You’ll never guess who I just saw!”

Oh, I bet I can, actually.

“Who?” I feign ignorance. I haven’t told Marco or anyone else in Seattle about the history between Cole and me. It just doesn’t seem like the kind of thing to share with new friends or even an old childhood friend I’m only starting to reconnect with.

“Come here.” Marco grabs my wrist. As we zigzag our way through the crowd, he looks back over his shoulder and yells, “He didn’t even know you were here! He’s going to be so surprised to see you.”

I have no doubt he will.

My heart beats faster and faster until finally, just a few feet away, I see him. He’s looking around like he’s searching for something — or someone.

He looks as gorgeous as I remember. The dark messy hair that feels so soft when I run my fingers through it. The brown eyes that used to gaze deep into my soul. The blazer that shows off his broad shoulders. I get the inappropriate urge to slip my hand inside and feel his hard chest and abs through his shirt.

My legs get shakier the closer I get to him, and I curse myself for choosing to wear my new pumps with the four-inch heels. It’s not easy to balance myself when my legs go weak and I’m trying to match Marco’s excited pace.

“Here she is,” Marco declares to Cole when we’re close enough for him to hear it. “I can’t believe neither one of you knew you’re both here.”

Cole immediately turns around and looks right at me. His body language mirrors mine. His eyes are fixed on my face, like he’s studying me. But he stands still like a statue, afraid to step forward but unwilling to move away.

Obviously, we’re both nervous and unsure of what to do. This is probably going to be awkward.

“Hi, Cole,” I say.

“Hi, Emily.” His lips form a thin smile on his face, but his eyes look dull and sad, although I also detect a hint of tenderness in them. “Marco’s right. I literally just found out you work here.”

“Yeah. I kept emailing and calling her for ideas on how to run InstaLux. When my boss noticed how often I brought up Emily’s name, he asked if she’d be interested in working here.” Marco seems oblivious to the tense atmosphere between the two of us. He says, “Then I found out she wasn’t working for you anymore, and Harry just had to hire her. He immediately called her and made her an offer she couldn’t refuse.”

I smile at Marco’s bad Godfather joke. “Yeah. That’s exactly how it happened.”

“As you can see, Cole, your loss is our gain.” Marco grins with pride. He’s been telling the whole office about how he’s the one who discovered me every time I come up with a good idea. It’s flattering, really, that he thinks I’m such a good find. I’m almost used to it now, but him telling Cole all about it makes me blush again like it’s my first day here.

“I’m sure she’s going to do really well here.” Cole hasn’t taken his eyes off me. He’s looking at me like I’m one of the pieces of art hanging on the walls around us, taking in every detail with an admiring gaze.

“Believe me, she already is. Everybody loves her,” Marco says.

“He’s exaggerating.” I give Cole a small smile.

“Not at all,” Marco insists. He gets distracted by someone calling his name and says, “Hey, I have to go say hi to someone. You guys have fun catching up!”

My eyes widen as I watch Marco walk away. He’s leaving me alone with Cole? Damn, he’s so oblivious.

“So you moved here last week?” Cole asks.

“Yeah. And you?” I grab a tiny little tomato bruschetta from the hors d’oeuvre tray when a pretty server walks past. I’m too nervous to eat, but I need to do something with my hands.

“I’ve been here for almost two months. I had no idea you were moving.” He looks almost hurt that I never told him.

“It wasn’t exactly planned. I just felt like I needed a fresh start.” As soon as the words escape my lips, I realize my mistake. Cole winces. I quickly add, “And Marco was right. It was a really good offer and I needed a job.”

“You like it here?”

“I actually do. I had no idea you were here either until I got here. You’re creating quite a buzz. There are all kinds of speculations about why you’re here.” I have to calm down. Keep the conversation casual. I tend to talk too much when I’m nervous and I really don’t want to say the wrong thing. “How about you? You like it here?”

“It’s nice enough,” he says. He’s being careful. Could he be worried about revealing too much to the employee of a potential competitor company? Or is he just as skittish as I am?

“Yeah. It’s a nice city. I’m still not used to the weather, though. I can’t believe how much it rains here. It’s always so gloomy and cold. And I always forget to bring an umbrella. I’d walk out to go somewhere and only realize it when it’s too late to turn back. It feels super cold outside when my clothes are wet.” I take a bit of the tomato bruschetta to shut myself up. I’m being such a great conversationalist. Weather talk? How interesting!

“Where do you live?”

“Downtown.” I cover my mouth to hide any remaining bits of bruschetta and swallow quickly. I was expecting Cole to say more so I could have more time to eat, but he’s not giving me anything to go on. “I’m staying with Marco for now, but I’m looking for my own place.”

“You’re staying with Marco?” He clenches his jaw as something flashes in his eyes. Hurt? Anger? It goes away too quickly for me to identify.

“Yeah. He’s being really nice to me, even though I’m basically always in his space. His girlfriend doesn’t mind either. They tell me I can stay for as long as I want, but I feel like I need to move out as soon as possible.”

“So it’s the three of you?” Cole visibly relaxes. Could he be jealous?

“Yeah. How about you? Where do you live now?”

“Same. Downtown. I figure it would be more convenient for me to get to meetings.”

“Em!” Marco yells. I turn toward him and see him pointing at someone beside him. “Come over here! You have to meet this guy!”

I nod and smile at Marco. A part of me is relieved I can escape from this awkward encounter but, at the same time, I still want to spend more time with Cole. I smile at him and say, “Looks like I’m needed elsewhere.”

“Yeah.” He pauses before he says, “Do you want to go somewhere after you’re done? For drinks? I know a good place.”