"Yes. We have keys to each other's places, and we usually just walk in for scheduled meetings. But it's different now when we meet at Dylan's place. He instructed us to always buzz after he started going out with Ari."
She giggled. "Well, I'm sure they wouldn't want you catching them while in the throes of passion."
"No," Trey agreed, looking thoughtful.
Right that moment, they heard a click and in walked Dylan.
"Morning, Tr—" Dylan stopped in his tracks when he saw Kris sitting in Trey's kitchen. "Hi, Kris," he said in obvious surprise.
"Hi, Dyl. How are you going?" she asked, getting off the stool to give Dylan a hello hug and a kiss.
"Uh, good," Dylan responded. "You're here…early," he added, evidently still getting over his shock.
"Um, actually, I'm just about ready to go," she answered, a blush creeping up her cheeks.
"Go?" Trey asked. "Am I not driving you back? You can hang around here and have a proper breakfast while Dylan and I do a video call with Adam. Or if you like, you can go for a walk, have breakfast outside or something, and come back in an hour. We shouldn't take longer than that."
"Oh, don't worry about taking me home. You have work to do. I'll catch public transport. It'll be nice to move around like a local."
Trey stared at her uncertainly.
"Seriously, I'll be fine," she assured him. "I'm going now so you guys can start your meeting. Plus, Sam and I plan to go to Ari's today to make sure she's all set for the move tomorrow," she added with a bright smile at Dylan.
Dylan grinned back at her. "Thanks, Kris. I really appreciate you guys helping Ari out. I'll be there later this afternoon to start moving some of her stuff that she didn't want to load in the truck."
"No problem," she said, grabbing her purse that she left lying on the coffee table and slinging the strap on her shoulder.
She walked up to Trey, took his face between her hands and kissed him swiftly on the lips. "Bye."
"Bye," he responded, pulling her back for a more lingering kiss as his hands tenderly stroked her back. "I'll call you later."
*******
Kris was making her leisurely way to the bus station when she heard her name being called. She swivelled her head and saw Blake approaching her with a wide grin.
"Hey, Blake. Fancy seeing you here."
He chuckled. "What are you doing here? Shopping?"
"I'm actually on my way to the bus station. I spent the night at a friend's." She felt funny saying that, but she didn't think she could claim Trey as her boyfriend—yet.
"You going home?"
"Yes. Then I'm going to another friend's place to help her finish packing. She's moving in with her boyfriend tomorrow. He lives a few streets from here."
"Oh. So does that mean you'll be around here a lot, then?"
"Yes, I'd say so. Until I go home, anyway," she said with a laugh, thinking about how she'd love to spend most of that time with Trey.
"Do you have time for coffee?" Blake asked.
She checked her watch. Ari wasn't expecting her and Sam until around midday. She had time and was actually feeling slightly peckish.
"Sure. Coffee—and maybe a bagel or croissant—would be good."
"I know just the place," Blake said.
They walked to a coffee shop around the corner, with Blake telling her about the musical he was choreographing.
While they were waiting for their orders, Kris decided to ask Blake what she'd been dying to know the answer to. "Ah, Blake. I was just wondering if you're any close to making a decision about the contract job?"
Blake sighed loudly. "If the complications I can't tell you about didn't exist, I would have announced my decision by now. I'm still working on a few things. But…I can tell you I'm very impressed with you. That's all I can say right now."
She grinned. "So if those complications didn't exist, or when you're able to resolve them, would it be fair to say I have a very good chance of being offered the job?"
Blake chuckled. "Do I have to answer that?"
"If you want to."
"Do you want me to?"
"Yes."
"Then, yes."
She gasped. "So if you get everything sorted out, I get the job?"
Blake stared at her for a long moment, his eyes dancing and a small smile playing on his face. "Yes. But…"
"I know. It's not one hundred percent certain that you'll be able to get rid of those pesky complications," she answered with a genuine smile. "I'm just glad I'm on the top of your list."
"How can you not be? You're wonderful," Blake said softly.
"Thank you," she said shyly.