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Such a quick change in conversation. And in the way he was suddenly looking at her. That same feeling came over her again, as if there weren’t enough breathable air between them.
“No. There isn’t.”
He reached out. Caught a strand of her hair.
“You left your hair loose,” he said softly. “I like it this way.”
“Marco. We agreed—”
He nodded. Drew back. “Yes. You’re right. What about Nola?”
“What about…”
“Nola left the water running.”
“Oh. No. She didn’t. I didn’t. There was a puddle by the sink but it was probably from Mrs. Flynn’s dog.”
“A pee puddle,” Marco said solemnly.
Emily laughed.
“A canine protest. Against foolish owners dressing them up with ribbons and polish and things that are undoglike.”
Emily laughed again.
“That is nice,” he said.
“What is?”
“Hearing you laugh.” His smile tilted. “I have the feeling you have not laughed enough in your short life.”
“That’s not true. I mean—”
“I can see that things have not been easy for you, Emily.” His voice was low, his eyes dark and serious. “Playing piano in a bar, living in a building like that—”
“Marco,” she said quickly, “really, my life hasn’t always been—”
“Si. I am sure you have some good memories.”
“Yes. I do. What I mean is—”
His phone rang. He cursed softly, took it from his pocket and checked the screen.
“I must take this, cara. Give me a minute, please.”
Emily nodded. Marco began speaking in rapid French. It was about business, a financial deal he was making. After a few seconds, she tuned out.
He thought she was poor. That she’d come from poverty.
She knew she ought to correct him.
I’m not poor at all, she’d say. My family has money. Lots of it. I was raised in luxury and maybe that’s why I’m so determined to make it on my own, or maybe it’s because I’ve never really accomplished anything in my life. Either way, you’re wrong about me…
“So,” he said briskly, “I have something for you.”
She blinked. He’d ended his call. In his hand now was a duplicate of his iPhone.
“From now on, this is yours. All of my contacts are programmed into it. There is no need for any phone.”
