Sofia and I spent one of the best weekends of my life in the city.

We walked through Central Park along a path she said was once her favorite running trail when she’d lived on the Upper East Side years ago. She took me to the Met, her favorite museum, and showed me her favorite paintings, some of which were tucked away in corners I wouldn’t have found myself. We spent hours strolling along the city sidewalks, her arm linked with mine as she pointed out places here and there that held a memory for her.

It was an adventure, exploring and getting a glimpse into her life. Even though she’d lived outside the city at her family’s estate on Long Island as a child, she’d lived in the city ever since high school. And it was a part of her, like Montana was a part of me. It was where her roots had come from. Her culture and heritage.

During the day, we went sightseeing, but at night, we were in her bed. I made sure to get my fill of her taste, that sweetness on my tongue I’d forgotten over the last four months.

After this weekend, I wasn’t sure when I’d get to see her again.

I sure as hell couldn’t afford a trip to New York, and with her dance studio opening, she’d be tied up here, unable to visit Montana.

It was for the best. Wasn’t it?

We were destined for different lives.

As I stood outside the bathroom in her penthouse, watching from the doorway as she put on her makeup, I couldn’t ignore the sinking feeling in my gut. I’d been pushing it away all weekend.

This trip would be the end.

But not quite. In an hour, we were going to the studio. Then we’d be heading to dinner with her family. First thing tomorrow morning, a car was picking me up outside her building to take me back to the airport where I’d be flying back to Montana with Logan.

This was it.

So I studied her, watching as she leaned in closer to the mirror to swipe some mascara on those eyes. Eyes I’d never forget, no matter how many months or years or decades had passed.

Those eyes, I’d remember for the rest of my life.

Sofia was going all-out glam for tonight, though the grand opening, I’d learned, wasn’t going to be all that grand of an affair. Sofia had invited her family to come down and watch the first class. Her business manager and dance instructors had also invited some friends and family.

In all, it would be a quiet event with some cookies for the kids and refreshments for the rest of us. Sofia had arranged to do a champagne toast before the first class started.

The big fanfare was to come in three weeks. She’d been organizing a gala to fundraise for the studio. It would be a glamorous event with ball gowns and tuxedos, catering to some of New York’s richest.

I was glad she hadn’t invited me to that one. Tonight’s simple get-together would serve me just fine.

“Are you going to just watch me?” Sofia smiled in the mirror, her eyes catching mine.

“Yep.”

“Well, I’m about to put on my lipstick. So you’d better come get a kiss while you still can.”

I strode into the room, stepping up behind her in front of the vanity. She tipped her chin, looking over her shoulder just in time for me to set a soft kiss on her lips.

When she turned back, she smiled at me in the mirror then dropped her gaze to the lipstick next to the sink. But she didn’t reach for it. Instead, she just stared blankly at the marble underneath her palms.

“There’s only going to be a few kids tonight. Just so you know.”

“It’s the first day. I didn’t expect a packed house.”

“We’re only doing the one class.”

“I know.” Sofia had already told me that when she’d explained the evening’s plan. “What’s going on in your head, babe?”

She blew out a long breath. “I just don’t want you to expect this big show. It’s probably going to be small. Nothing major.”

“Are you worried about me? Or your family?”

Her shoulders fell. “I’m worried about everything.”

“Hey. Look at me.” I waited until her dark eyes found mine in the mirror. “You got this.”

“I don’t,” she whispered.

“You do. You. Got. This. And I can’t wait to be there tonight when you realize it too.”

A flicker of confidence sparked in her eyes, chasing away the fear. Her back straightened against my chest as she stood taller. “Thank you.”

I dropped a kiss to her temple, ran my hands up and down her bare arms and left her in the bathroom to finish getting ready.

There wasn’t much I could do for a woman who had everything in the world. But for tonight, I could be here. I could boost her up until she felt capable of flying on her own.

An hour later, we were getting out of her town car in front of the studio. As Sofia stepped onto the sidewalk, a whole crew of women—all dressed similarly to her in fitted cocktail dresses—rushed out of the studio’s front door to greet her.

I stepped out behind her, grinning as she laughed with her staff. She shot me a look over her shoulder, her eyes bright, as they ushered her inside.

“Thanks for the ride.” I jerked my chin to Glen, who was standing by the driver’s side door, smiling at Sofia.

He nodded. “Tell her good luck for me.”

“Will do.” I waved and walked inside the studio.

The second the door opened, the hushed whispering inside stopped, and the room went dead silent.

“Everyone, this is Dakota. We’re—”

“Coworkers.” I smirked, remembering how she’d introduced herself to my family.

A slow smile spread across her gorgeous face. “Coworkers.”

“Are there more of him where you used to work?” one of the women asked Sofia.

The entire group burst out giggling except for the tall, lean Asian man behind the reception counter who shook his head. “Can we please focus? We have one hour. Let’s make sure everything is ready to go.”

With a chorus of agreement, the reception area cleared, leaving just me, Sofia and the man.

“Dakota Magee, meet Daniel Kim,” Sofia said. “Daniel is my operations manager here at the studio.”

I shook the man’s hand over the reception counter. “Good to meet you.”

“Same to you.” He nodded. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“That so?”

Daniel chuckled. “I have you partly to thank for my job. She gives you a lot of credit for this place. Or the motivation to try, at least. I’m glad you could be here today.”

“So am I, but I get no credit for this. It’s all her.” I held Sofia’s dark eyes, making sure she heard this next part. “You did this. It’s all you. And it’s incredible.”

“It hasn’t even opened yet,” she mumbled, dismissing the compliment.

“Doesn’t matter. It’s still true.”

This studio would be a success, I was sure of it. But Sofia would need time to find that confidence.

She’d spent too many years sitting idle. Too many years believing that she was nothing more than the woman others told her she was.

This place would change it all.

“I’ve been trying to give her compliments for weeks.” Daniel walked around the counter. “She brushes mine off too. Doesn’t mean I won’t keep trying.” He went right up to Sofia’s side and threw his arm around her shoulders.

With that move, Daniel got my full attention. My eyes narrowed, looking him up and down. He wore a fitted black suit, the dress shirt under his jacket also black, and two buttons from the collar were open.

Unbuttoned that far down, I should have seen some chest hair. But Daniel must believe in waxing because his skin was smooth. Was that what men did here in the city? Waxed to get the attention of a woman like Sofia Kendrick?

They worked together. I knew firsthand how easy it could be to fall for Sofia when she was your coworker. If I called her in a few months, would she be with Daniel? Would he be the one watching her get ready in the bathroom mirror? My jaw ticked as jealousy brewed like a thunderstorm inside my chest.

Daniel must have sensed it, because he grinned and let her go, discreetly flashing me his left hand and the gold band on his ring finger.

I breathed, glad there was one less man in Manhattan I had to worry about when I left.

Sofia came over and slid into my side, unaware of the exchange.

My arm went right to the place where Daniel’s had just been. This weekend, she was mine.

The door behind us opened, and Sofia’s parents, her sister and Logan came inside the studio. Logan was escorting an older woman who was smiling wide as she took in the room.

Sofia unhitched herself from my side, dragging in a steadying breath as she turned to greet her family. “Hi, Mom and Dad. Thanks for coming.”

Her mom came over and kissed Sofia’s cheek. “This is wonderful, sweetheart.”

“I love everything you’ve done here.” The elderly woman came over and gave Sofia a firm hug.

“Thank you, Granny. I’m glad you could be here.”

“Me too. Pop would be so proud of you.”

Sofia nodded, blinking a couple of extra times. No doubt she was on the verge of tears, but she was holding strong, keeping them back. Later tonight I’d probably find her in her closet, shedding the emotion from the evening.

“Congratulations!” Aubrey came over next, giving Sofia a quick hug before waving at me.

I nodded my silent greeting. It never failed to surprise me how much Aubrey looked like Logan and Thea’s oldest daughter, Charlie.

“The place looks fantastic.” Sofia’s father was still inspecting the place as he spoke and walked toward the counter. He picked up one of the flyers, the same one I’d read when I’d first come here. “Smart. This entire setup is so smart.”

“Thanks, Dad.” She swallowed hard, her eyes glistening. “I’m glad you could make it.”

“I missed a lot of stuff when you were a kid. I’m trying to do better. I wasn’t going to miss this.”

I took a step toward Sofia, ready to give her a reassuring hug, but her brother beat me to it.

“I wouldn’t miss it either.” Logan let his sister go then shook my hand. “How was the weekend?”

“Good. This is quite the city.” And spending it with Sofia had been the experience of a lifetime.

“Mom, Dad, Granny,” Sofia swung her arm out to me, “I’d like you to meet Dakota Magee. He works with Thea in Lark Cove. He flew out with Logan for the opening. These are my parents, Thomas and Lillian Kendrick. And my grandmother, Joan.”

I shook Thomas’s hand first, hoping he couldn’t feel my own tremble. “Sir.”

“Dakota, welcome.”

Thomas was an older version of Logan. He wore an expensive suit that was tailored around his broad shoulders. The man had probably worn suits every day for the last forty years. His gray hair was styled and combed, and the smell of his aftershave wafted between us like he’d been freshly shaved.

“Thank you for coming.” Lillian came over next. After a slight embrace, she stayed close and offered me her cheek.

I hesitated, every second getting more awkward as she waited, then it dawned on me what she was after. I dropped a kiss on her cheek, she smiled and walked away. It was the strangest greeting I’d ever had, since I’d never kissed a stranger’s cheek before. It was just as strange to repeat it with Sofia’s grandmother.

“You’ll be joining us for dinner, won’t you?” Lillian asked.

“Yes, ma’am.” And thanks to Logan, who was wearing jeans, I wouldn’t feel completely out of place.

The door opened again and other people shuffled inside. Sofia went to greet them as I stood back and watched her family. They were in awe of her accomplishment, unable to soak it all in. They wandered around the reception area, touching chairs and walls and counters to make sure it was real.

Sofia had confessed the other night she’d kept this place a secret from everyone but Aubrey. They’d only learned about it a week before she’d called me. And none of them, not even her sister, had gotten to see the place.

I’d been the first.

“Excuse me, Ms. Kendrick?” A woman with long red hair tied into a twist came into the reception area. “We’re all set up with the champagne and appetizers in the common room.”

“Thank you, Carrie.” Sofia nodded then addressed the room. “We’re having a small toast for the opening before the first students get here. You are all welcome to some champagne as you meet the staff. Then please feel free to wander through the studio.”

The room emptied as people migrated down the hallway, leaving just me and Sofia in the reception area.

Her smile stayed in place until she was sure we were alone. Then her guard fell and underneath, she looked ready to puke.

“You okay?”

She nodded yes but her face said no.

I held out my hand, palm up. She immediately put hers in mine, lacing our fingers together.

“You got this.”

She took a long, deep breath then squared her shoulders. “I got this.”

“You crushed it, babe.”

“I’m trying my very hardest to be modest and not jinx myself here, but I so did.”

Sofia laughed and fell into my side, letting her head rest on my shoulder as the car wove through the dark streets toward SoHo.

In just a long weekend, I’d gotten used to riding in this position. It would be strange going home and driving myself. It would be stranger not having Sofia at my side.

“I’m so full.” Sofia sighed. “Dinner was delicious.”

“Best steak I’ve had in years.” Though if asked, I’d swear on my life nothing could beat Xavier’s grill.

The opening had gone as well as I’d imagined. I’d stayed in the wings, just watching and waiting. I’d kept my focus entirely on her in case she needed a reassuring nod.

She had at first, but then she’d stepped into her own.

And I couldn’t have been prouder.

The studio had been filled with friends and family members, since most of the staff had invited their significant others to come for the opening.

Sofia started the evening by thanking each employee by name. She gave a short speech, expressing how much it meant that they’d take a gamble on a new company. Then she raised her glass of champagne and toasted Midtown Dance Studio.

The room cheered.

After that, she welcomed the entire group to the studio, opening it up for an informal self-guided tour. Most everyone had a flute of champagne in their hand as they walked through the studio, while Sofia kept a bottle in hers, refilling glasses until the reception was over.

There were ten kids for the first class, all girls in pink tights, black leotards and huge smiles. Besides the three instructors in the studio, the rest of us sat with the parents in the observation area and watched the girls learn about first, second and third positions.

When the class was over, Sofia handed the duties over to Daniel to close down, and we rode with her family in their limousine to dinner.

The restaurant we’d gone to had required jackets. They only took reservations. We’d walked in, not having either, and found ourselves in a small room at the back with a private waitstaff and bartender.

“Your family is nice,” I told her.

“They are. I’m glad they got to meet you.”

“Same here.”

They were all down-to-earth and genuine. They used their wealth but didn’t flaunt it. Not once had they made it known they stood about ten classes above mine. They were just . . . people. People with money.

Her granny was a kick, her attitude and sarcasm reminding me of Hazel. Lillian was sweet, a more sensitive soul than the others. Kind of like her youngest daughter. Her dad and Aubrey were a pair. They’d started to talk about work during the appetizers, but Logan had shot them a look and it had ceased immediately.

“My dad . . .” Sofia trailed off.

I waited for her to continue, but all I heard was a sniffle. “Your dad, what?”

“He didn’t take his phone out.” She leaned back and looked up with tears in her eyes.

“And that’s a bad thing?”

“No.” She wiped her eyes dry. “No, it’s a good thing. He’s always on his phone. But tonight, he wasn’t just there, he was present. When I was a kid, he never once made it to my dance recitals. I never saw him at the dinner table without his phone in his hand. He was always working. I don’t think I realized how angry I’ve been about that. But after tonight, it feels like I can let some of that go.”

“Good for you.”

She fell back into my arm, clutching it tighter than before. “I can’t thank you enough for being here. I wish you could stay longer.”

“Yeah, me too.”

“Could you? I know you’ve got your new properties, but can they survive a few extra days without you?”

I sighed and shook my head. “No, I need to get back.”

There was a ton of work to be done, and I needed to put some hours in at the bar. And though both of those things could have been pushed back a day or two, it was best we cut this short.

Glen pulled up outside her building and opened his door, ready to get out and open ours, but I stopped him. “I got it.”

“Yes, sir.” He turned back and smiled at Sofia. “Congratulations on your opening tonight.”

“Thank you. Sorry to keep you out late.”

“It’s my pleasure.” He looked to me. “Safe travels home, Mr. Magee.”

I nodded, opened the door and helped Sofia out. Then we went inside, waving to her doorman as we passed through the lobby and right to the elevator.

The moment we stepped foot inside her penthouse, Sofia kicked off her heels and flew into my arms, wrapping them tightly around my waist.

I didn’t hesitate, holding her right back.

“Am I going to see you again?” she whispered.

“Someday.” I hoped.

“I don’t want this to be the end.”

I dropped my cheek to the top of her head, wishing we had more time and knowing we didn’t.

Our futures followed two different paths. Paths that ran in two different directions. Our time at their intersection was over.

“Tell me something. Can you look into the future and see us together?”

I wanted her answer to be yes. I wanted her to paint me a picture of a future where Sofia Kendrick and Dakota Magee stayed together. Because for all the hours I’d spent trying, I sure as hell couldn’t imagine one.

We were a void. An empty, black box.

Her frame slumped. “No. Honestly, I’ve tried. But I just can’t see it.”

“Me neither.”

She sniffled, her chin quivering against my chest. “I hate this.”

“So do I.”

Sofia leaned back, giving me eyes full of unshed tears. “One more night.”

One more night.

I bent, scooping her up under the knees, and carried her down the long hallway and up the stairs to her bedroom. There we spent the night together, forsaking sleep like we had during our last night in Montana. We spent the hours holding tight to those last precious moments.

When morning came, Sofia and I stood on the sidewalk outside her building. Her eyes were red rimmed and full of despair. I hated that when she let loose, when she cried after the car parked at the curb pulled away, I wouldn’t be here to hold her.

“So, I’ll see you when I see you.” She forced a smile.

I nodded. “See you when I see you.”

“You can call me. Whenever you want, call me.”

“Same to you.”

Neither of us would be making that call.

The first good-bye in Lark Cove had been hard. This one, nearly impossible. I wouldn’t be able to walk away from a third. Phone calls and texts would only make things harder.

“Take care of yourself, Sofia Kendrick.” I cupped her cheek, letting the warmth from my palm heat her skin. Then I dropped a soft kiss to her lips and another to her temple.

My temple.

Letting her go was the hardest thing I’d done in years, but I dropped my hand, turned and walked to the car.

I didn’t look back. In the reflection of the car’s tinted windows, she waved. She began to cry as she whispered, “Good-bye, Dakota Magee.”