She shrugged. “Once.”
“And what did he say?”
“Nothing.”
“You mean he gave you the runaround?”
“No. I mean he said nothing. It was on the phone. He’d called to talk to Mom, but I happened to be home and had answered. So I decided I’d just ask him why he left. He was silent for a long time, and then he said, ‘Can I talk to Mom, please.’ That was it.”
“Maybe he had a good reason.”
“Yeah, well, if he did, I don’t care anymore.” She drained the rest of her wine, then picked up the bottle. “You want some more?” She looked at his glass. It was almost full. “I guess not, huh?”
“I’m fine.”
She started to tip the bottle over her own glass, but stopped before any liquid spilled out.
“Maybe it would be better if we just call it a night,” she said. “I’ve got class in the morning, and I’m sure you must be tired.”
“I’m doing okay,” Nate said. “But it’s up to you.”
She smiled, then started to stand, the bottle of wine still in her hand. When she straightened her knees, she swayed.
Nate jumped up and put out a hand to steady her.
“Thanks,” she said. “I think I just proved another glass would have been a bad idea.”
“Why don’t you give that to me?”
He took the bottle from her, then picked up the two glasses and carried them all into the kitchen. When he returned, Liz had moved the sheet, blanket, and pillow she’d set on the floor that afternoon onto the couch, and looked like she was about to make his bed.
“I can do that,” Nate said, rushing over.
She gave him a smirk. “I’m not completely helpless.”
She tucked the sheet around the cushions, put the pillow at one end, then spread the blanket out.
“Thanks,” he said.
“My pleasure.”
“What time’s your class in the morning?”
“Not until ten, thank God.”
“Mind if I come with you? Not to class, of course. But I’ve always wanted to see the Sorbonne.”
“Sure.” She leaned over and gave him a hug. “Thanks for being a good guy, Andrew.”
“Eh … thanks? I guess.”
She laughed into his chest, then, as she pulled away, he felt her hesitate, her cheek only an inch away from his. He could sense tension building between them, a tension he unexpectedly welcomed.
He closed his eyes and tried to regain control. Just as he was about to push her away, she pulled back.
“If we leave by nine-fifteen, we can pick up something to eat on the way,” she said.
“That sounds good.”
She walked over to the hallway, then looked back. “I’m glad you decided to stay.”
He smiled. “I’m glad you asked.”
She disappeared into her bedroom, but he continued to stare at the spot where she’d been. When he finally looked away, he pulled out his phone. As much as he hated thinking about work at the moment, there was one last text he had to send. He pulled up Julien’s number, then typed:
Leaving 9:15 a.m. L has class at 10,
have talked her into letting me come along.
Will check in when I get up.
After hitting Send, he put his phone in his bag. Hopefully, Julien would get the hint and not reply. Right now all Nate wanted to do was pretend he was Andrew Cain, on vacation in Europe, and staying for a few days with an intriguing American girl in Paris.
And for a few seconds, right before he fell asleep, he actually believed it.
QUINN ROSE EARLY THE NEXT MORNING. HE took a quick shower, got dressed, then sat on the edge of the bed and checked his email.
One was from his mother, sent to a dummy address that forwarded the message through a series of sites before it showed up in Quinn’s inbox.Jake,Just wanted to let you know your friend Steven is all settled in. He pretty much stays out of the way, but has been kind enough to ride into town with me when I have to go. Claire, unfortunately, was only able to stay a few hours. But while she was here she not only helped me sort through some of my mail, she also made a wonderful spaghetti dinner. I like her a lot, Jake.
