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“I don’t know what I did wrong.” The words came out more frustrated than I intended. I sounded pitiful even to my own ears. “We fell asleep on the couch. That’s it. But now she’s treating me like a stranger.”

Sebastian was quiet for a moment, swirling his whiskey thoughtfully. “Have you considered that maybe she’s not upset with you?”

“What do you mean?”

“Maybe she’s upset with herself.” He took a sip. “Lucy seems like the type who has very clear ideas about how things should be. Professional boundaries, appropriate behavior, all of that. Waking up cuddled with her client probably threw her for a loop.”

“But it wasn’t a big deal. It didn’t mean anything.”

Sebastian gave me a look. “Didn’t it?”

I opened my mouth to respond, then closed it again. Did it mean something? I’d been telling myself it was just two friends falling asleep together. But the way I’d felt when I woke up felt like more than nothing. Add in the fact I’d been thinking about it all day and maybe he was on to something.

“I don’t know,” I admitted.

“Well, maybe that’s something to figure out.” Sebastian leaned back in his chair. “But in the meantime, my advice? Give her some space.”

“I don’t want to give her space.” The words came out before I could stop them. “She’s my friend. I like spending time with her. I don’t want things to be weird between us.”

“I understand. But sometimes people need a little room to process. Especially if they’re dealing with feelings they didn’t expect to have.”

Feelings. The word hung in the air between us. That word felt wrong when talking about Lucy and me.

“So what am I supposed to do?” I asked. “Just avoid her?”

“No. Show her that you’re still friends. That things don’t have to be complicated.” Sebastian thought for a moment. “Actually, I might have an idea. Bernadette and I are taking snowmobiles out tomorrow to scout the next shooting location. Why don’t you and Lucy come along? Get another snowmobile, make it a group thing. It’ll be fun. Get out some stress, see the natural beauty of the place.”

“Snowmobiles?”

“Have you ever been on one?”

I shook my head. “Forever ago.”

“It’ll be an adventure. Something exciting for both of you.” Sebastian smiled. “Sometimes the best way to get past awkwardness is to share an experience. Give you something to talk about besides whatever’s making things uncomfortable.”

I turned the idea over in my head. Snowmobiles. The wilderness. Lucy bundled up in all her layers, probably terrified of every sound in the forest. But also maybe laughing, having fun, forgetting about all those professional boundaries she was so worried about.

“That’s actually a great idea,” I said.

“I have them occasionally.” Sebastian finished his whiskey and stood. “I’ll talk to Bernadette.”

“Perfect.”

“And Jeremy?” He paused, looking down at me like he was choosing his words carefully. “Whatever’s going on with you and Lucy, figure it out. She’s good for you. Anyone can see that.”

He walked away before I could respond, leaving me alone with the fire and my thoughts.

I watched the flames dance and thought about what Sebastian had said. Feelings she didn’t expect to have. Did Lucy have feelings for me?

I dismissed the idea. No. Lucy tolerated me.

I thought about all the time we’d spent together over the years. She knew me. Really knew me. The messy, disorganized, occasionally immature me who couldn’t remember to charge his own phone. And she stuck around anyway.

I drained the rest of my drink and stood up to get myself some dinner. I would not be taking her a tray. It was the polite thing to do, but I had a feeling that wouldn’t go over well.

Tomorrow, we’d have fun. We’d remember why we were friends in the first place. And maybe, if I was lucky, things would go back to normal.

A reset. That was what we needed. Whatever it took, I was going to fix this.