“I’m not trying tosayanything,” he says, tone flat. “I’mtellingyou—Tessa’s had a crush on you since college. Now she’s back, planning movie nights. It’s a pretty simple equation.”
“Tessa hasn’t had a crush on meever,” I say, forcing a dry laugh. “I mean, sure, she made a move when we were teens, but nothing’s ever happened. There’s no spark there. Never has been.”
He gives me a look. “Dude, I’ve known some of my friends since we werebabies. Doesn’t mean I wouldn’t fuck some of them.” He stares at me, then adds, “You can’t be this obtuse.”
I shift my weight, steeling my spine. “There’s nothing there,” I say, a little too fast, even though I was trying for certainty. The kiss flashes in my mind, but I shake it off.
Andrzej’s wait time is killing me. He stares at me, tilting his head, and squares his shoulders. It screamsI can tell something’s off.And I’d tell him—I really would—except I didn’t tell Robyn, so I can’t tell anybody. In any case, there’s nothing to tell becausenothinghappened.
It’s clear he won’t say anything until I do, so I add, “You’re reading too much into it.”
He studies me for a beat, then nods slowly. “I’m just saying—Robyn’s a woman. Smart, dedicated. With just the right amount of sass to keep you together. And she loves you topieces. Don’t shoot yourself in the foot.” He pauses, lips in a thin, disapproving line. “But hey, if you’re being this belligerent because you’ve got a thing for Tessa?—”
My patience snaps. “I don’t have a thing for Tessa.” I shoot my palms up then drop them uselessly to my sides when it occurs to me he’ll misread that as well. “I justdon’tsee her that way.”
“A week ago, I would have believed you.” He shakes his head. “But after last week at the bar?—”
I raise my eyebrow. “Look, I don’t know what to tell you. She’s a friend. Has been for a long time. I help her with stuff. Nothing else.”
He pins his calculating eyes on me, then gives me his signature maddeningly calm nod one more time.
Andrzej’s friends approach us. Blondes with blue doe eyes, mirror images, wearing shiny lip gloss and vanilla perfume. He introduces one as Laura, and the other one as Lorena. They switch sides, I can’t tell who is who. One drapes herself over Andrzej’s arm, laughing too loudly, while the other hangs back, with her gaze flicking between him and her sister, an uneasy smile on her lips.
Andrzej wraps an arm around the girl’s waist. “Think about what I said, man,” he murmurs, tone even but firm.
Before I think of a reply, the three of them disappear down the glowing stretch of sidewalk.Don’t shoot yourself in the foot.Andrzej’s voice shouldn’t loop in my head like there’s some truth there, but it does, burrowing under my skin while the heat from the lights mixes with the cool bite of the night air.
Now, with Tessa’s mossy-green eyes flashing in my mind, I can’t tell if I’m angry because he’s wrong… or because I’m afraid he isn’t, and I made a mistake coming here.
“Nate?”
Tessa’s voice keeps me from overthinking too much. I’d recognize her low swing, throaty cadence anywhere. Her coat’s unbuttoned, cheeks flushed from the wind, hair loose and wavy unlike her usual straightstyle.
“I’m so glad you could make it!” She grins. “I thought you had plans!”
She wraps her arms around my neck, and I breathe in her citrusy scent when she presses into me. It’s strong and lemony, not unpleasant, but it’s not at all Robyn’s orange blossom shampoo. I’m hit with the epiphany that Robyn’s sweet scent is my favorite, remembering waking up to it on Christmas morning.
However, not even the memory of Christmas can keep me from noticing the unnatural way Tessa’s skin scorches mine when my forearm lands on the sliver of skin between her skirt and her jacket. And it’s like I’m watching a movie scene, not pulling away fast enough. Again.
Where the fuck is this coming from?
Easing her arms from around my neck, I notice she’s alone, and I flinch, shoulders tensing. “Where’s everyone, Tess?”
She gives a one-shouldered shrug. “Guess their plans fell through. Like yours. But, hey—silver lining, right? Less people to fight over snacks! And I’m loaded!”
She hefts her bag like a trophy, the bulge of it ridiculous. I can picture half of the candy aisle crammed in there. There’s no trace of guilt on her face, and that strangely helps me settle. Tessa was never good at lying; her lips do that thing, press together, jut out. It gives her away every time.
I smirk, tipping my head toward the lobby, my tone lightening. “Lead the way, snack girl.”
She laughs. “Let’s divide and conquer—movie’s about to start.” We fall into step side by side. “I’ll get the tickets. You grab the drinks. Anything with vodka will do.” She looks over her shoulder and winks. “We’ll meet by the ticket check.”
As we step into the MUSIC BOX lobby, the buzz of conversation nearly drowns out the faint piano track threading through the speakers. Buttered popcorn, caramel, and the hoppy tang of beer from the small bar to the left mingle in aunique scent. Golden light spills from the lantern overhead, catching on the carved moldings and patches of peeling paint that make the place feel timeless. It’s a masterclass in fusing Spanish revival and Italian Baroque: arches and cornices working in unison. As an architect, it’s inspiring how, through dozens of remodeling, its essence is intact: well-cared for yet tenderly worn.
I join Tessa as the attendant checks our tickets, vodka cranberry in one hand, Jack & Coke in the other. He’s asking if she’s seen the movie before, his eyes moving from her and back to tickets. When he winks, handing them back, she hooks her arm around my waist.
“This is my guy,” she tells the usher with a grin.
She pulls her arm from my waist quicker than how it got there, then plucks the cranberry from my hand and takes a sip. I can’t shake the feeling that her arm, her comment, fleeting as it was, went too far.
