Greer and I waited in line for the couple in front of us at the market. They had to be buying groceries for the entire month.

“What did Preston say when you told him about dinner tonight?” I asked.

“He’s fine with it. I think he knows things have been out of balance lately.”

“Because of work?” I was worried the senator’s office would discover Lana’s case before we were ready to officially file. It was one more huge secret I kept from my friend.

She sighed. “Because of everything.”

“What’s going on, Greer?” I held my breath, praying it had nothing to do with Senator Mitcherson and Lana Foley.

We scooted forward in line and started placing the steaks and vegetables on the counter.

“I think it’s a phase. I know it’s a phase.”

“What is?”

She quieted her voice. “We’re both so tired when we get home we go to sleep.”

“Ohh.” I felt relieved. “That’s understandable. You’re exhausted. You both work crazy hours. That’s why Vaughn and I have lazy Sundays. We just re-charge.”

She shook her head. “No, I mean we sleep. Only sleep.” Her eyes bore into mine.

“Ohh.” I realized what she was telling me. “You haven’t?”

“Not in weeks. I don’t know when the last time was actually.”

We stopped talking when the cashier started ringing up the groceries. After we paid, we each grabbed the bags and walked outside.

Greer faced me. “I think it hit me when I saw how Vaughn just grabbed you like that.” She closed her eyes. “I don’t know if Preston has ever kissed me with so much … so much…”

“Intensity?”

“Yeah. That.”

“You’re probably right. It’s just a phase. You can get back on track with a romantic date. You two should have dinner together tonight if you’re both free. We can do the double date thing another night. Go have sex tonight.” I didn’t know if I was being generous or selfish. I wanted my alone time with Vaughn.

“No. This is just as important. I need to get to know the guy who is living in my apartment.”

We started walking toward home.

“He doesn’t live there,” I argued. I hadn’t offered him a drawer. He didn’t keep a toothbrush in my bathroom.

“I’m teasing you. I want to get to know him. See if I can break past that smoldering thing he has.”

I laughed. “I haven’t broken past the smolder.”

“Is it really serious between you two?”

“I don’t know how to answer that. It doesn’t feel casual if that’s what you’re asking.”

“How’s the sex? Tell me that. I need to live vicariously through you at the moment,” she pressed for details.

“Ok. That’s personal.”

“I know it is. But it has to be off the charts. It is, isn’t it?”

“Ok. I’ll tell you this.” I checked behind us to make sure there wasn’t anyone walking close by. “I’ve never … I’ve done all kind of new things. And I love it. Ok? That’s all I’m saying.”

“Thank God someone has a sex life.” She sighed. “I feel like a forty-year-old married woman. This is pathetic.”

My eyes softened. “Greer, just take a breath and talk to Preston. You know he misses sex as much as you do. I’ll go to a movie tonight or something if you want the apartment to yourselves.”

“You’d do that?”

I shrugged. “Of course. Vaughn said he has to leave early. I’ll go out and let you two have some space to talk. And then I’ll lock myself in my room.”

“Thank you. What do I do if it doesn’t work?” She looked panicked.

We stopped in the foyer of our building. I let the grocery bags rest on the the floor to give my arms a break.

“You have to take the first step. No relationship was cured in one night, but if you don’t have the night, make the time, set the priorities, or it won’t heal. Do the small things. They add up.” I smiled.

I saw her eyes glisten with the threat of tears.

“I-I think it’s this place, you know? We’ve made the senators and our careers more important than each other. All the things that brought us together are the things that are slowly pushing us apart.”

“Why don’t you get away for a weekend? Vaughn took me to this amazing vineyard and winery in the country. It’s rustic and romantic.”

Her jaw dropped.

“He took you on a trip?”

I nodded. I wanted to distract her from how much we had drifted apart.

“I’ll give you the name. Surprise Preston with a reservation. He’ll love it.”

She rolled her eyes. “Shit. He sounds perfect. So fucking perfect.”

I shook out my arms before picking up the bags again. “He kinda is.”

We started up the three flights to the apartment. Vaughn was right where I left him. I dropped the grocery bags on the counter and walked out to tell him we were back.

“Hi.”

“You weren’t gone long.” He rested the tablet next to him.

“I’m going to help Greer put everything away. Preston will be here at five for dinner. He volunteered to bring beer and wine.”

“Am I going to like this guy?”

“Probably not.” I smiled. “But he’s never here, so it’s not like you two have to be best friends.”

“Good to know.”

The sun had started to warm the rooftop.

Vaughn’s phone buzzed next to him. He picked it up. “Hello?”

I waited while he took the call. It sounded like work. I could tell the instant quiet and clipped way his words changed.

He hung up and looked at me.

“Everything ok?” I asked.

“I have to fly out tonight.”

“What?”

He put his bare feet on the stone floor. “My meeting was moved.”

“Out of town?” I questioned.

“Yes. I’m sorry. I don’t know when I’ll be back.”

He rose from the chaise.

“Where are you going?”

“I’m getting the itinerary in my email.”

He moved toward the glass door. “Wait, Vaughn. You’re just leaving?”

He faced me. His eyes looked darker than I had ever seen them. “I have to pack. I have to get my passport.”

“I thought you didn’t know where you’re going.”

“I always take my passport when I fly.”

“Oh.” My stomach twisted in knots. I didn’t want him to leave. I didn’t like his mood.

“Come on.” He reached for my hand. “I need to take a shower before I leave.”

I looked through the door. Greer was busy opening cabinets and arranging the food in the refrigerator.

Our fingers entwined with instant heat. He led me through the apartment. Neither one of us said anything to my roommate as we passed through the living room. She didn’t seem to notice. Vaughn locked the door and backed me into the bathroom. He turned on the shower.

“I don’t know when I’ll be back.” He brushed my hair from my shoulder.

“I don’t think I like that idea,” I whispered. My throat clamped with pain as if I could cry.