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I folded my arms and turned so I was facing him.
“The kiss,” he said, looking into my eyes.
“Yes. The kiss. What was that about, Tommy?”
He scrubbed his face with his hand and sighed. It may have been the first time I saw the man without the shroud of composure enveloping him.
“I’ve rehearsed what I was going to say so many times, and yet, here I am, speechless.”
I put my hand on his arm. “We don’t have to talk about it.”
“Ah, but we do because you, my beautiful girl, mean the world to me.”
“It was just so…unexpected.”
He reached his arm across the back of the sofa, touching my shoulder with his fingertips. “You have no idea how lovely you are.” He shook his head and smiled. “Or, how bruised my ego was when you were…what is the word…aghast.”
“Surprised. Not aghast. Seriously, though, why did you do it?”
“Call it cocky optimism, I suppose. I was certain my affection would be reciprocated. So,” he slapped his legs with his hands. “Not the case. My broken heart has since mended, and quite a good thing since I understand your heart belongs to another.”
“My heart? No. There’s no one else. I mean, there was, sort of, but I’m sure you know that Lynx, we…uh…met a few years ago. Actually, I’m not certain I’d call it meeting since we didn’t even know each other’s names. Well, I knew his name was Lynx and he knew mine was Emerson, but we didn’t know last names. And then, well, I met him at our building…”
Tommy smiled. “It’s okay, Charlie. I know everything that happened.”
“Everything?”
He shook his head. “No, not everything.” He put his hand on his heart. “I couldn’t have withstood the pain of hearing details, but, yes, I know about you and Lynx.”
“There isn’t any ‘me and Lynx.’”
“About that, sweetheart, we need to talk.”
33
LYNX
Iwalked into the apartment that was now mine, at least that’s what the lease said. It didn’t look much different than it had when Saint was the primary resident. The wardrobes were empty, but I’d never checked to see what, if anything, was in them previously.
The refrigerator and cupboards were as bare as they had been when Emerson and I were first here together, which reminded me the chai tea cup might still be here.
I opened another cupboard, and there it was. Someone had obviously washed it but hadn’t known it belonged to Rashid’s father’s store. Perhaps I should walk down the hallway and give it to him. Then he’d have to take it over himself. Instead, I set it on the island so I’d remember to deliver it myself when I left.
And I was leaving. Without Emerson living here, there was no reason for me to do so either.
When Saint assured me he had reason to believe Emerson might be interested in a longer-term relationship with me, he didn’t mention that she’d moved out of her apartment. I’m sure it would be easy enough for me to find where she’d gone. But was that fair? Just like the morning I woke in the hotel room to find her gone, I found myself questioning the ethics of using my job or connections to find her.
Since I was in Boston for the weekend with nothing to do, I decided to call Stephen. Maybe he and Nora would be up to me visiting.
My call went to voicemail, so I sent my cousin a text message instead. While I waited for him to ring me back, I decided to take the ceramic cup across the street to Rashid’s father’s store.
It was brutally cold outside, reminding me of the harrowing ride I experienced from the airport. Perhaps driving to Providence this weekend wouldn’t be the best idea after all.
When I ran across Boylston and into the corner market. A man I didn’t recognize was behind the counter.
“I believe this belongs to your store,” I said, setting it on the counter. No sooner had I done so, than Rashid’s father came walking up from the rear of the store. “My apologies for returning this so late,” I said, pointing to the cup.
“It belongs to Emme,” he said, not bothering to make eye contact.
