Elise was completely speechless. She had been certain William missed her message entirely.

"Then why are you here?" she asked, her voice laced with confusion.

"Dinner," he replied simply.

Elise found herself without a comeback for that straightforward answer.

"Where's your bathroom?" William inquired, glancing around her apartment.

"In my bedroom," Elise responded. Living alone meant she didn't need a shared bathroom, so she'd converted the main one into a study instead.

William stepped into her room, his eyes briefly resting on James sleeping peacefully in her bed before moving toward the bathroom.

Elise was about to turn away when she suddenly remembered something important. She rushed toward the bathroom just as William was closing the door.

He raised an eyebrow. "Ms. Scott?"

Elise felt heat rush to her cheeks again. She'd left her freshly washed clothes and undergarments hanging in the bathroom after her shower earlier.

She quickly gathered everything in one swift motion, hiding them behind her back in a flustered movement.

William watched her with an amused smile.

As she turned to escape the awkward situation, he called out again. "Ms. Scott?"

She turned back, her face flushing deeper when she saw what he held between his fingers. Her bra dangled from his well-built hand, swaying slightly.

She must have dropped it? And he picked it up?

Didn't he understand some things were better left on the floor? Or that pretending not to see certain items was basic etiquette?

Elise snatched the bra from his hand and fled the room, her ears burning crimson with embarrassment.

When William finally emerged from the bathroom, Elise had composed herself on the living room couch.

They were both adults, after all. There was no reason to feel ashamed about such trivial matters.

Just as she stood to politely show William out, she noticed with surprise that he carried her hairdryer.

He found the nearest power outlet and plugged it in. "Let me help dry your hair," he offered.

Before she could respond, he continued, "Consider it thanks for taking care of Jimmy, and for preparing that homemade dinner personally."

"The gown was more than enough payment," Elise replied bluntly.

"I already received notification from the boutique about your payment," William countered. "Even if I'd prefer you not wear a gown purchased with another man's money, I'm businessman enough not to refuse good value."

Elise was genuinely impressed by how naturally he discussed such significant financial matters.

Without waiting for further protest, William untied her damp hair and began drying it.

Their proximity suddenly felt intimate. The only sounds in the room were the hum of the hairdryer and the rapid beating of her heart.

Elise wondered how someone as skilled in relationships as William appeared to be had failed to keep Jimmy's mother in their lives.

They remained in comfortable silence until William switched off the hairdryer. "All done."

"Thank you," Elise murmured.

"I'll come by at eight tomorrow to pick up Jimmy."

"Alright."

Elise walked William to the door. As he stepped out, he bent down and picked up the pair of men's loafers sitting by the entrance. "I'll dispose of these for you."

Elise pressed her lips together. She'd bought those shoes for Samuel, though he'd rarely visited her apartment, using them only once or twice.

They were purchased with her own money anyway, and she wasn't one to waste good items.

"Mr. Levine," she said suddenly, stopping him as he turned to leave.

"Yes?" He paused, looking back at her.

"Are you part of the Levines?" she asked, her gaze intense and direct. "The very prominent family everyone in this city knows?"