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“Oh it was wonderful. Have you ever eaten here? It’s called Arno’s. In the West Village.”
“No, I don’t think I have.” I know I haven’t, but I’m trying to be polite here.
“You should come some time,” she says, then her voice goes a little tinny. “You should bring Sophie here,” she says, and I can only assume she’s talking to Liam. “To say thank you for the forecasting.”
I can’t hear Liam’s reply, but I hear his mom’s laugh. And now I really want to know what he said.
But of course I can’t ask.
“Liam’s been telling me all about this prize he bid on,” she says, her voice closer to the receiver now. “I think it’s wonderful. So useful, too. I just wish he’d use it for something other than work. He has a yacht he could use in the right weather but he’s always too busy for it.”
Of course Liam Salinger has a yacht.
“That’s a shame,” I tell her. “All work and no play and all that.”
“Yes, though I don’t think anybody could describe Liam as a dull boy,” she says wryly.
She’s not wrong.
“Well I should probably let you get back to your evening,” I say. “I’m so glad you’re having a lovely time.”
“Oh, there was one other thing. It’s my birthday in a couple of weeks.” She lowers her voice. “A big one. I’m not telling you the number but let’s say it’s not twenty-one. I’m having a party and I’d love for you to be there.”
“My guess is thirty,” I say. “And I’d love to come if I’m not working that weekend.”
“You’re so sweet. And for that you get a gilded invitation. It’s at Misty Lakes, my ex-husband’s estate. I’ll ask my secretary to email you all the details if that’s okay?”
“Of course.” I’m touched that she’s asked. And the fact is, I don’t have much in my schedule for the next few weeks. “I’ll do a forecast for you if you’d like.”
“Oh I’d love that,” she says. “You’re so kind.” There’s a warmth in her voice that makes me feel like I’m snuggled in a blanket. “I can’t wait to see you again. Oh, wait a minute, Liam’s gesturing at me. I think he wants the phone. I’ll speak to you soon, Sophie. You have a lovely evening.”
“You, too,” I tell her, then wait because I’m not sure if Liam wants to talk to me or get me off the phone.
“Sophie.” Apparently he does.
“Liam,” I say in as deep a voice as I can. A huff of a laugh rumbles down the line.
“Will you be up for a while?” he asks me. “I have a couple of itinerary changes to deal with. I’ll tell you about them when I get back to my place.”
I glance at the documentary I’ve paused. It’s episode four of six. Of course I’m not going to bed until I know what happens. “Um sure. Yeah, I should be up for a couple more hours.”
“Good. I’ll speak to you then. Have a good evening.”
“You, too,” I say as he ends the call. There’s a stupidly big goofy smile on my face. He didn’t go on a date. And he wants to call me.
I could get used to being Liam’s friend.
I wonder if that means I’ll get a trip out on the yacht sometime.
* * *
LIAM
“You look tired,” Mom says as I escort her into her building. The security guard tips his head at her as she presses the button for the elevator.
“I’ve been traveling since stupid o’clock this morning,” I say. “Hopefully I’ll catch up on some sleep this weekend.”
“Make sure you do.” She kisses my cheek as the elevator car arrives, the doors opening with a ping. “Thank you for a lovely evening. It’s been so nice to see you.”
