Just as the warmth between them had settled into something soft and comfortable, a sudden chime from Monica's phone cut through the room. She blinked, grabbed it off the table, and sighed the moment she saw the screen.
"Ugh. That's my cue," she muttered, silencing the alarm.
Rex raised an eyebrow, still lounging comfortably in the plush robe. "Something important?"
Monica stretched her arms overhead with a little groan, her damp hair falling over her shoulders. "A jewelry brand launch. Just a quick appearance, like twenty, thirty minutes max. I promised weeks ago."
Rex didn't say anything at first, but the way his eyes lingered on her made it clear he wasn't ready for the moment to end. He didn't try to hide it either.
She noticed the reluctance in his expression and smirked as she walked over and cupped his cheek. "Hey," she said gently, "I want to stay too. But these things pile up. I miss one, and ten others try to sneak in."
