All color vanished from Madison’s face for a long second, but she still nodded, her eyes thoughtful. I wondered what was going through her mind. Was she thinking about me? Were her thoughts filled with me, just like mine were with her? I closed my eyes and let out a calming breath.

The car came to a stop outside the conference hall. 

“Wait for me to get it for you,” I said to Madison, who pulled her hand back from the door handle. 

I got out, and the crunch of my ...