“What about the Tonuto sabotage angle?” I ask.
Veronica’s lacquered lips form a straight line. “Tonuto’s the city council representative for the Commission and attends every meeting. We can’t afford to bring it up unless we have hardcore evidence against him.”
“I don’t know if it’s worth it.” Vinny grimaces. “We’ll be making an enemy for life, Veronica.”
“Everybody knows Tonuto’s up to shit.” Veronica takes a long pull from her seltzer. “We just have to catch him at it. Has anyone talked to his guy Wilson?”
Vinny rolls his eyes. “Wilson’s never gonna spill against Tonuto while he’s on the payroll.”
“What about Sammy DiFiore?” Everyone stops to look at me.
“From Sammy’s Steaks?” Vinny frowns. “Why him?”
“He seems to be Wilson’s number one punching bag.” I shrug. “Maybe he’s got Tonuto theories.”
“Can’t hurt,” Veronica says. “Nomi, you talk to Sammy. I’ll try shaking something out of Wilson.”
After Vinny and Veronica head out, Julian hangs around while I lock up.
“Alright, then. Good night.” My voice chirps with a false brightness, and I start walking down the sidewalk.
“Nomi, wait.” Julian places a too-warm hand on my shoulder. The feeling makes me cringe in the already muggy air. “Can I drive you home?”
I shrug off his hand. “No, that’s okay. I want to walk.”
“You’ve been vaping a lot tonight. Are you—”
“I’m not stoned, and even if I was, I’d be fine to walk home.” My smile turns tight.
Julian frowns. “I know—I saw you pack the vape with the high CBD, low THC strain that you got for Ms. Peters’s fibromyalgia. I was going to ask whether you’re feeling alright.” His eyes study my face, my sweat-damp hair, the dark circles beneath my eyes. “Are you okay?”
I soften beneath his caring, concerned eyes. I didn’t realize he’d recognize what I was using. But of course Julian would. He’s one of the most observant people I’ve ever known. The fact that he was watching me, not out of judgment like I’d feared but out of knowing concern, reminds me how much he’s grown.
“Is it anxiety?” He offers his hand, and this I can take. I slide my palm against his, letting him clasp his strong fingers around mine. “About the hearing?”
I exhale deeply, grateful for the excuse that’s as true even as it’s not. “Yeah, it’s just—really stressing me out.”
“Let me take you home. Let me help.”
“You’re already helping so much.” Even though Julian’s full time at the clinic, he spends every non-working hour deep in case preparation beside me. He’s been relentless, even when I’ve been too sick to work and forced to scrounge up excuses covering my absence, he keeps on anyway, carrying the work forward on my behalf.
“Nomi,” he says my name so softly. “Please?”
Ugh, I’m a slut for his begging. I can’t keep avoiding alone time with him forever, and more than that, I don’t want to. This last week, I’ve missed Julian. It feels crazy since I see him almost every day at our working sessions, but every night, I’ve pushed him away, keeping my distance, trying to give my body the privacy it needs to be sick.
But a ride home can’t hurt, can it?
I breathe out. “Okay.”
The short, air-conditioned drive to my house is admittedly much more pleasant than the longer humid walk would’ve been. When he arrives, he runs his fingers along the steering wheel then smiles at me sweetly. “Can I come inside?”
“Julian, I—” I begin, feeling guilty and torn and so tired of my body making choices I hate for me.
“It’s okay. I understand why you don’t want me to.”
My eyes widen.
“I’ve done nothing but make your life complicated since I’ve returned, and while I’m trying to undo all the damage I’ve caused, I haven’t fixed any of it yet. I don’t deserve to be with you when I’ve done so much wrong, but I swear to you, I’m going to make it right. I don’t want you to pretend you’re not angry with me when you have every right to be. I just—miss you, and I want to be with you a little longer, if that’s okay.” He leans his head against the headrest, still facing me. “I’ll be quiet. I’ll do your dishes, or laundry, or whatever you need. Just—please. Don’t make me leave. Not yet.”
