Angelo smiled and patted my knee. “A subtle response, to be sure.”
“Well, I learn from the best.” I grinned back.
“Touché.” Angelo straightened his cufflinks again. “So what else does the day hold for you? Studies, I assume?”
“Ha, yeah, no. I just saw my friend Roux and she’s sort of exhausting. I think I need a nap.”
“Ah yes, little Miss Je Ne Sais Quoi. And what about Jesse Oliver? Are you enjoying his friendship, too?”
I blushed. I couldn’t help it. “Yes,” I said. “I enjoy his friendship.” That seemed to be the safest non-lie answer. “But don’t worry, I know what I’m doing.”
Angelo arched an eyebrow at me and didn’t say a word.
“I do!” I protested. “I’ve got this one in the bag. Trust me.”
“I have always trusted you,” Angelo said. “Never forget that.” He glanced up at the tourists who were walking back through the garden. “There are many untrustworthy people,” he replied, and in his voice I heard a brief second of worry that had never been there before, “but you, darling, are not one of them.”
I thought about kissing Jesse the night before and didn’t say anything.
“Now, you seem to be in need of an umbrella before you go. Take mine.”
“But what about you?” I asked as he pressed it into my hand. It was heavy, made of oak and canvas, the base inscribed with the same A that was on Angelo’s cufflinks and business cards. It wasn’t the kind of umbrella that you could buy for five dollars from a vendor at the subway entrance, that was for sure.
“A little rain shower is good for an old man like me,” he said as we walked toward the exit. “It keeps me young.” The car was waiting at the curb, just as I had left it, and Angelo hustled me into the backseat. “Talk to your parents,” he said before shutting the door. “They’re looking out for your best interests, just as I am.”
“Okay, I will,” I promised. “Get home safe! Stay dry!”
But he had already shut the door and was strolling up Seventieth Street. I looked out the back window as the driver pulled out into traffic, but Angelo had already turned the corner and melted into the soaked crowd, like the rain had washed him away.
Chapter 16
Back in the car, I dialed Jesse’s number.
“Hi,” he said, picking up before the second ring. “I’m glad you called me back.”
“Of course I did. You have my coat.”
There was a pause. “Oh,” he finally said. “Oh, I thought …”
“I’m kidding!” I said. “Oh my God, I’m kidding! I mean, I’m not kidding about the fact that you have my coat, that part was true. But I would have called you anyway.”
“Well, do you want to come over and pick it up?”
I thought fast. Armand was probably in the house and I couldn’t risk running into him. “Why don’t we meet somewhere?” I said. “Have you had coffee yet?”
He just laughed. “Why don’t we meet at Grey Dog on Mulberry? Does that work? They have good coffee. You like coffee?”
“I like it like breathing.”
“Good answer. Thirty minutes?”
I glanced outside at the rain. “Sure, that’s fine. Don’t forget your umbrella.”
“Okay, thanks, Mom.”
“It’s raining! I’m trying to help you out!” But we were both giggling. “Fine, get wet. See if I care.”
“Twenty-nine minutes. Don’t be late.”
I stuck my tongue out at the phone as I hung up. “So annoying,” I muttered, but I was smiling as I said it.
“Two minutes to spare!” I said as I leaped out of the car, dodging between the now-calmer raindrops. “I’m early! What do I win?”
Jesse looked up at his phone and tapped it. “Oh, no no no,” he said. “My phone says it’s been thirty minutes. You’re exactly on time.”
“Let me see that,” I said, but he held it out of reach over my head. “Your phone is biased and a liar. It looks shifty.”
“How dare you,” Jesse said, and when I went to grab for it again, I stumbled over my boots and half tripped, half tumbled into him. “Whoa, easy there.”
“It’s the rain,” I said. “I’m slipping on everything.” That wasn’t true, but I needed to say something to make up for the fact that I was starting to blush. “And hi.”
“Hi,” he said, smiling down at me. “Nice to see you again.”
“A pleasure, I’m sure.” I hung on to his sleeve while righting myself, and when I was steady, he handed me my coat. “I made sure that Max didn’t shed all over it,” he said. “You’re welcome.”
“Thanks. And tell Max thanks, too.” Jesse held it for me while I slipped my arms into the sleeves, then helped me pull my hair out from under the collar. “Good as new!” I said. “Where’s the coffee?”
“Are your eyes dilated?”
“I just really like coffee.”
“Do you think you may have a problem with caffeine addiction?”
“I only have a problem with caffeine when there isn’t any caffeine.” The line was already forming out the door and I craned to see how far away the cash register was.
“Look at you!” Jesse laughed. “You’re twitching!”