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“Paul Reyes was never my best friend,” I mumbled. “So I guess they are lying.”
Lea’s eyes flew open. “You stole the car for Paul Reyes?”
I sighed. “Gina’s brother, yeah. But it was really for her. She said he needed help. Begged me to do something. So I did the only thing I could think of.”
It was the easiest way to describe the situation without saying things I shouldn’t. And Civics were easy cars to lift. Everyone knew that. It was why they ended up in chop shops more than any others.
“He was in with some heavies around the neighborhood. They agreed to a trade—three cars in exchange. Got the one before I got caught.”
I shook my head. I didn’t mention that Paul had come sniffing around on behalf of the Mancusos again, trying to make good on the rest of that bargain. Me, I considered the matter closed. I hadn’t ratted on anyone. I’d served my time. They got two years of my life and my silence instead of two more shitty Hondas.
Finally, I turned, expecting to see disappointment. But her face was utterly unreadable.
“I knew you were a liar,” she said at last. Then crooked a smile that brightened my cold, black heart.
I raised one brow. “You think so, Tess?”
She smirked. “‘Because I wanted to.’ Liar.” Her finger pushed into my chest. “I knew you were a good guy at heart, Michael Scarrone. You can’t fool me.”
I couldn’t help but feel a mix of relief and confusion. Lea saw through my tough exterior and recognized the flickering ember of goodness within me. And with every smile, every mild push to be something better, it was like she was blowing on that ember, coaxing it back into a flame.
Lea’s touch lingered on my chest, her finger pressing against my heart. It was as if she was trying to assure herself that the spark she saw was real, that I wasn’t just another disappointment waiting to happen.
And in that moment, I made a silent promise—I wouldn’t let her down.
“You’re something else, Lea Zola,” I told her, my voice barely above a whisper. “No one’s ever said things like that to me.”
Her eyes locked on to mine, her gaze unwavering and strong. She took my hand in hers, and this time I let her.
“Maybe it’s about time someone did.”
I couldn’t find it in myself to argue.
The subway came to its final stop, jolting us back to reality.
Lea glanced around as the doors opened. “Battery Park?”
“Nah,” I said, keeping her hand in mine as I guided her off the train. “We have one more ride to take.”
She quieted as I guided her through the station. God, that I could take her someplace better. That I could afford more than a two-dollar subway fare for the one date we had. That I could show her something nicer than a rat-infested subway platform and a free boat ride.
But this was my life. And I was trying to make the best of it.
“We’re going to Staten Island?” she asked as we came to the edge of the ferry dock right as the next boat was coming in.
I squeezed her hand and looked down at her. “We won’t be getting off. But I thought…maybe you might like…well, I brought us dinner. For a cruise. So to speak.”
She looked at me for a long moment, then down at the plastic bag, then back up at me.
What the hell was she thinking? That I was stupid for thinking this would work? That a ride on a subway and then the Staten Island Ferry wasn’t an actual date, just an exercise in public transit? That I’d broken my promise and fucked up yet again?
The ferry came to a stop. The attendants removed the chains, and we waited while the riders exited before we could get on.
When I got up the courage to look at her again, I found her grinning up at me. That smile. My God. It was going to be the fucking end of me.
“It’s perfect, Michael,” she said as she squeezed my arm. “I can’t think of anything better.”
Relief washed over me in waves that matched those on the river.
