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I pulled out plates and utensils, sitting across from Andy without meeting his eyes. “What shouldI pack? I’m afraid I don’t own anything super fancy.”
He waved a hand. “You’ll be fine. A nice dress for the meeting this evening. Brad’s wife usually arranges some activities for the spouses, a spa trip, shopping, and a tour, but it’s up to you whether you want to go. There’s a cocktail hour on Sunday night, but otherwise, it’ll mostly be boring meetings. You can just explore.”
A soft wave of disappointment rose in my stomach; I pushed it back. “I should be able to manage that.”
“If you want to do some shopping while we’re there, you’re welcome to.”
“I saw the credit card. Thanks.” I didn’t add that I had zero intention of using it. “Sorry you’re stuck working, but I’m excited. The only time I’ve been to New York City was back in high school. Bunny surprised me with a ticket to the senior trip. It was so much fun.”
Bunny had been on a fixed income before we’d come into her life, and it wasn’t like my parents paid her child support. She somehow kept three growing kids fed and clothed, but barely. I suspected more than a few people had helped her pay for the class trip, though no one ever admitted to it.
“You’ve only been once? How?” Andy asked with a level of awe that reminded me we’d had two very different childhoods.
I shrugged. “Len promised to take us to see one of his exhibits, but ended up bringing us to some studio in Boston instead.”
Andy’s brow furrowed. He locked his eyes on his coffee in thought before meeting mine again. “Well, then, we have to make this special.”
I bit back a laugh. “You have work.”
“Just the first night, and during the day. I can beg off some of the late night stuff. In fact, that’s the exact reason I asked you to marry me.”
I shook my head, fiddling with the sleeve of my robe. “I’ll be fine.”
He shook his head. “Absolutely not. What have you always wanted to do in New York?”
My unimaginative list of things to do in New York dwindled down to a single site with Christmas months away: The Empire State Building. I’d daydreamed about visiting the most romantic place in New York. Well, the most romantic place according to me, Bunny, and the movieAn Affair to Remember. My daydream always involved a man like Andy, but one who loved me. Who I loved back. With my head in a spiral and my nerves already frayed from my fake wedding, I clammed up.
“Broadway? Did you watch a show on Broadway?”
“You think Franklin Notch High could afford a Broadway show?”
“Maybe a matinee?” he asked, the corner of his lips upturned, his blue eyes sparkling.
I bet Andy had watched dozens of Broadway shows over the years. Probably in a box seat, ordering drinks and snacks at intermission without bothering to glance at the price.
“Well, I hate to disappoint you, but no. We took the Staten Island ferry to see the Statue of Liberty and mostly went on museum tours. Probably subsidized museum tours.” I played with the cinnamon roll, chopping it into small bites.
He steepled his fingers over his coffee. “So, a Broadway show, at least. How about the Empire State Building? Did you go there?”
I froze, eyes wide. “No. I’ve always wanted to go. It’s the closest thing to heaven in the city.” Andy stared at me blankly. I closed my eyes, wincing at the missed reference. “An Affair to Remember?” He shook his head. “It’s my favorite movie. Bunny and I watch it every year for my birthday.”
“We’ll need to watch it, then.”
The edge of my lips quirked up in an. “I’m not sure you’d like it. It’s old and sort of cheesy.”
“I can’t imagine that’s the case.”
I searched his eyes for some hint of teasing, but found none. Andy’s frank earnestness must be why he’d done so well over the years. Sure, the family connections and money helped a lot, but more than anything, he had a way of making his words true. He said he’d like the movie, and I implicitly believed him.
He finished his coffee and stood. “I’ll get you something to wear into town. I’ve got a few last-minute things to wrap up before we leave, but could you be ready to leave by one?”
I nodded, holding my coffee mug and watching him stride out of the kitchen, thinking how perfectly he fit into this life, and how out of place I felt in comparison.
CHAPTER11
Andy
We stoodoutside the steakhouse as a taxi rumbled by the crowded sidewalk. Nora smoothed her hand over the pleats on her dress, a black number that evoked memories of Audrey Hepburn, without the oversized sunglasses and pearls. She pursed her lips, her eyes flitting absently around the backdrop of skyscrapers. She reached out to touch my forearm.
