Chapter 81. The Hours We Keep

Gabriel didn't reach for her again.

“What did I say?”

Diana looked at the floor plan on the table. She wanted to answer accurately. Anger made the quickest answer feel satisfying, but she knew how much harm could fit inside a sentence spoken for that reason alone.

“You made leaving my job sound like the obvious next step.”

“I said when you wanted to.”

“I heard that.”

“Then I don't understand.”

That hurt more than she expected.

She moved to the sofa and sat down. Gabriel remained beside the table until she looked at him. Then he took the chair opposite her, giving the conversation space without leaving it.

“Tell me,” he said.

Diana folded her hands, unfolded them.

“When we walked through that house, you pictured me writing upstairs. I liked that. But you also pictured me there during the day. You didn't ask whether I wanted to give up Hans.”

“I wouldn't make you.”

“I know you wouldn'