He laughed again and shook his head.“For answering the phone.For saving my life.”
“Oh.”Larkin considered the correct response, but what was polite, what wasright, when someone thanked you for that?He said, “You’re welcome.”
Noah looked out at the water, at the lighthouse on Roosevelt Island.“When everything—and you were—I couldn’t move.I saw that wallfallon you and I couldn’t… but Ira did.He told me I was okay and he wouldn’t leave me alone, but he had to go back for you, and you know how they say mothers become superhuman and lift a car to save a child?”Noah turned back to Larkin and their umbrellas bumped.“It was like that—watching him.”
Larkin’s heart beat so hard in his chest, it physically hurt.
“He loves you, right?”
Larkin nodded.
“And you’re happy?”
Again, Larkin nodded.
“Happier than when we were together?”
“Noah.”
“I want you to be honest.”
Larkin took a breath.“Yes.”
Noah bit his lower lip as his chin quivered, but he only whispered, “Okay.”
“Are you staying with Steph.”
Noah wiped his face once more.He cleared his throat.“Yeah.She broke up with Michael, actually.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“No, you’re not.You never liked him.”
“No, I didn’t.”
Noah cracked a smile.“He moved out.We’re both up the creek without a second income to pay rent, so she asked me to be her roommate.”
“I think that’ll be good,” Larkin agreed.
Noah looked in Steph’s direction, and then he said abruptly, “I’m gonna go.”
Larkin followed Noah’s gaze.Steph was still waiting, but now so was Doyle—a few feet away, umbrella in one hand, a cup of coffee in the other.“All right.”
“I’ll see you again, won’t I?I mean, we have to sign the papers.”
“We’ll talk,” Larkin agreed.“Get home safe.”And he watched as Noah slowly made his way back toward Steph, and the two disappeared down the curving stairs.
Larkin turned to the railing one more time.
He touched the wet surface.
But his purpose was to love, and love again.
Over and over.
Forevermore.
Larkin took a breath, and walked away.He fell into step with Doyle as they, too, started down the winding set of stairs and made their way along the green line of trees at the park entrance.
