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“Why didn’t you ever tell me this before?”
She laughs a little.
“I did. Over sushi. You were so worried about eating the food right and being a regular guy that you didn’t hear a word of it.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. But stop worrying about being a regular guy. I get hit on by fifty regular guys a day. I like you because you’re not regular. I bet your friends do too.”
“Listen,” I say, and pull a fistful of hundreds out of my pocket. “You spent a lot of your own money on this stuff. I want to pay you back.”
She laughs again and takes one bill.
“Thanks, Daddy Warbucks. I stole the donuts, so they were free. This will cover the rest.”
At eight, people start arriving. Carlos and Ray first. Then Brigitte. Vidocq and Allegra arrive together, which is nice to see. Candy gets there last.
She says, “Alessa couldn’t make it. She has a headache.”
“Too bad,” I tell her. The headache is almost certainly a lie, but it’s just good enough to get us both off the hook so we don’t have to spend an awkward evening together.
Candy takes one look at Janet and goes over to her.
“Hi. I’m Candy.”
“Hi. Janet,” she says, barely getting the words out. She lets one arm dangle by her side while she nervously crosses her other arm over her chest.
“How do you know Stark?”
“From Donut Universe. There’s some donuts in the kitchen if you’re hungry.”
“Thanks. I am a little.”
More people introduce themselves to Janet and she’s the same way with all of them. Suddenly quiet and nervous. That’s the last thing I expected. I want to go over and save her, but Candy puts her hand on my arm.
“I like your friend,” she says.
“Yeah. She’s nice. A musician.”
“Really? What’s she play?”
I think for a minute.
“I’m not sure.”
“She’ll probably tell you eventually.”
“Yeah,” I say, keeping an eye on Janet, who looks like she wants to be anywhere else.
“I’m hungry,” says Candy. “I’m going to check out the food situation.”
“Okay. I’ll join you in a minute.”
“Terrific. Oh. One thing.”
“Yeah?”
She goes to the kitchen and comes back with a napkin. Points to the side of her mouth.
