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Ames squinted at him. “That was way too easy.”
“I’m serious. That’s all there is. You just gotta wait and it will all figure itself out.” He slapped Ames on the back. “I have to say, man, this is great to see, however.”
“What is?” Ames was pretty sure he didn’t want to know.
“A woman who’s got you totally messed up.” He chuckled madly. “I am loving it. Nothing messes you up. Nothing ever has messed you up. And now this woman has messed...you...up!”
“Very funny.” Okay, so Ames had always been the predictable straight guy in the family. It was serious business being the oldest son, especially when your brother had majored in falling apart. “What kind of season you think the Browns will end up with this year?”
The tactic worked, same way it always did. Once his brother got talking football, that was it. In fact, usually Ames tried to hold the subject off until he got a sense of how his brother was doing. This time, he needed the intervention.
They chatted pleasantly until Mike had to leave for his dinner appointment. Ames considered having another beer, but though he generally didn’t mind having a drink on his own, tonight it didn’t feel right.
He paid the tab and stepped out of the restaurant. The temperature had dropped; the air had become damp and penetrating, smelling of approaching rain. He was nearly to the union Square subway station when his phone rang.
Eva.
Now what? His attempt at righteous exasperation was hijacked by a thrill of pleasure seeing her name. Which irritated the hell out of him.
“Hey, Eva.” He kept his voice curt. “What’s up?”
“Hi. Um...are you home right now?” She didn’t sound like herself. Her voice was low, dispirited. Ames went on immediate alert.
“I’m on my way back, why?”
“Oh, then, never mind.”
“No, I’ll be there in twenty minutes. What’s going on?” His heart was beating faster. He sped his steps toward the subway entrance.
“Look, it’s nothing, really. This guy came into the café about half an hour ago, drunk off his ass. He gave me the creeps. I just closed the store, and I think I see him outside. I don’t want to call the police, I mean, he hasn’t done anything, but I also don’t want to—”
“Stay in the café.” He broke into a jog. “Wait for me. Don’t go out or try anything, okay?”
“No, no. Jeez, now I feel stupid, I’m probably totally overreacting.”
“You’re not overreacting. You’re being smart. Stay there. I’m on my way.”
“Thank you. Really.” Her relief made him feel like superman.
Miraculously a train was just arriving when he got to the platform. He was first out of the car at Forty-Second Street and half ran the half mile to Tenth Avenue, thinking if this was another of Eva’s tricks to spend time with him, he’d be able to indulge his righteous exasperation genuinely, and then some.
She wasn’t kidding. A guy was pacing unsteadily back and forth opposite NYEspresso, watching the shop intently. He was around forty, short, skinny, hair wild, clothes baggy and mismatched, and not warm enough for the chilly evening.
Ames turned hot with anger. Taking a deep breath, he walked up to the guy, not sure if he was being brave or stupid. Probably both. “Hey, you waiting for someone?”
“None of your business.”
“I’m Ames.” He offered to shake. “What’s your name?”
“Stan.” The guy glared his hand. “Stanley.”
“Hi, Stanley.” Ames put his hand back in his coat pocket. “You see the woman in the coffee shop there?”
Stanley turned to stare suspiciously.
“Yeah, not sure if you were hoping for a chance there, but she’s with me.”
“I don’t give a flying—”
“Right. Well, good, then.” He kept his tone friendly. “But if she calls me again and tells me you’re harassing her, we’re putting police on speed dial, okay?”
The guy’s face crumpled with anger and embarrassment. “Hey, man, screw you.”
“Okay, good. We’re good, then.” Ames held up his hands. “Just a misunderstanding.”
