Traffic lights blink around us. I look at Haru again. “I promise to make it up to you. Maybe I’ll see you after the movie ends?”
Haru smiles. “Have a good time.”
Then he turns down the street and walks off. I shout goodbye, but he doesn’t glance back. I wouldn’t normally cancel plans like this, but who knows when Christian will invite me out again? I drop my bags off at the theater before I head to the train stop. I can return the jacket another time.
The Red Line drops me offin River North. The rooftop bar is located in the London House hotel. It’s only a few blocks from Christian’s apartment building. He sends another message, letting me know he’s already inside. I still can’t believe he wants to see me again. It’s not like our interaction was very long. What if he has me confused with someone else he met at the party? I push the thought away as I head into the elevator. The doors open to the twenty-first floor where a piano is playing in the corner.
I wish I had brought the jacket. Everyone is dressed like they came from the country club. I make my way down the bar, looking for the terrace. Christian is sitting at a table alone, dressed immaculately in a beige shirt. He spots me as I come outside, rising from his seat.
“You found me,” he says, making room for me on the rattan sofa. “Glad you could make it.”
“I was in the area.” I sit down next to him. The matching table reminds me of the patio furniture in his apartment. A glass railing runs along the length of the terrace, giving stunning views of the river. “So this is the place you told me about.”
Christian smiles. “How could I talk it up when I know you’ve never been here before?” He picks up a menu from the table and hands it to me. “I hope you haven’t had dinner yet. I’ve been craving oysters all day. Do you like oysters?”
“I’m open to trying.”
As I scan the menu, my eyes widen at the prices here. Christian might have noticed because he smiles and says, “Don’t worry, just order whatever you like.”
“Oh… okay.”
“Admittedly, the wine selection could be better,” he says. “Was thinking of getting a bottle of something, if you have any preferences.”
“I actually just turned nineteen,” I admit.
Christian chuckles, leaning into me. “They never card at this place. You should get one of the cocktails. They’re all good.”
“Okay… what do you recommend?”
When the waiter comes, Christian orders for the both of us. A dozen oysters and some scallops to start us off. The oysters feels weird to swallow, but the taste isn’t as bad as I expected. Our conversation is nice. Christian turned twenty-three a few months ago. He graduated from the Yale School of Drama. When he asks about my education, I consider lying to him. It wouldn’t be a stretch to say I go to the Art Institute, since I basically work down the street. But I decide to be honest, despite the advice of Simon and Alex.
“I actually work at the box office,” I say.
“I know,” Christian says casually.
“You do?”
“Was it supposed to be a secret?” He smiles, taking a sip of his drink. “Apparently, you’re the newbie there. Heard you’ve been taken under the wings of those friends you came to my party with. I hope you didn’t have anything to do with the infamous missing cake.”
I nearly choke on the bread. “I swear, that wasn’t my idea.”
Christian laughs. “Relax. We ordered another.”
“I’m glad it doesn’t bother you,” I say.
“Of course not. I prefer chocolate.”
“No, I mean, the fact that I work in the box office.”
He shrugs. “Why would that bother me?”
I smile to myself. Maybe the rumors Simon heard about him are wrong. The waiter brings out the rest of our food, along with a bottle of wine. I don’t really drink very much, but I want Christian to like me, so I let him pour me a glass. We share a tiramisu and crème brûlée for dessert. I stare out at the river, watching a ship pass. Christian must have noticed this because he asks, “Have you been on the water before?”
I think back to the other night, when Haru and I took a ride on the river. “I mean, I’ve been on a boat. But nothing like one of those.”
His lips curve into a smile. “Would you like to?”
There’s a two-story yachtdocked at the water, a few blocks away from the hotel. It belongs to his friend from Yale, whohappens to be hosting a small gathering tonight. I follow Christian up the steps of the stern as someone hands me a champagne flute. The next thing I know, we’re moving along the water. It’s a bit windy out tonight. Christian must have seen me shiver a little, because he places his jacket over my shoulders. “It’s Valentino,” he says. The leather smells of vanilla and musk. I wear it for the rest of the night. The views of Navy Pier are stunning from the water. At one point, Christian’s friend even lets me hold the helm.
