Page 100

I takethe water bottle William offers me. He nods toward it, silently asking if I want him to open it. I crack the lid’s seal with a single twist. That lures a soft smile to his lips.

We stopped at a bodega after Tony left us to go to Ramona. I didn’t question William about him, although I can think of at least a dozen things I want to ask about, including how William ended up being friends with the top orthopedic surgeon in this part of the country.

When my mom cracked her wrist while horseback riding a few years ago, she tried to get in to see Dr. Northrup. The waitlist was months long, and her surgery was urgent. The fact that William was able to call up the doctor and get results quickly speaks to the closeness of their friendship.

“We were talking about the Brooklyn apartment,” he reminds me. “Before Tony interrupted us, that is.”

He’s right. We were talking about Brooklyn, but just as Tony interrupted us, I was on the brink of confessing something to William. That moment is now lost, so I refocus on what he just said.

“You asked me to meet you there because the apartment in Tribeca is your home, and it’s private.” I bite the corner of my bottom lip. “I understand wanting to protect that.”

He swallows another mouthful of water. “I don’t want to protect it now. I want you to be there. I want you to want to be there.”

That’s a leap I’m not ready to take. “I was a little confused about why you had barely any food in your fridge.”

Finishing the rest of his water, he lifts both brows. “I didn’t think it through. I was just so damn excited to have you there. I hadn’t cooked there in years.”

I didn’t expect him to say that. It touches me in a way I’m not prepared for. “Really?”

“I only ever cook for my siblings.” He caps his empty water bottle. “The fact that they always expect me to meet them at restaurants should probably hurt my feelings.”

“You’re a great cook,” I blurt out. “For what it’s worth, I think you’re a fantastic cook.”

“It’s worth everything,” he whispers as he stares into my eyes.

I break our gaze by taking another small sip from my water bottle.

“Should I flag down a cab?” he asks. “Or order a rideshare to take us to my home?”

I shake my head. “I’m enjoying the walk.”

He glances at the watch on his wrist. “I’ve still got time. My hour isn’t up yet, so let’s walk and talk.”

I have no intention of holding him to the sixty minute time limit, but I don’t tell him that.

Suddenly, my phone starts ringing. The ringtone is a song I often sing in the shower. It has a bouncy beat, and the lyrics are about the perfect man. I cringe as I dig in my bag to find it.

“He’s the one,” William sings. “The one all the girls want.”

My head darts up. “You know this song?”

“I can dance to it too.” He holds up a hand. “I won’t right now. I don’t want to scare any of these people.”

Laughing, I glance at my phone’s screen. “I need to take this.”

“Of course.” He nods. “Take all the time you need.”

I swipe a finger across the screen to answer, “Aunt Hildy? Are you all right? Is everything okay?”

William takes a half step away but doesn’t wander beyond that. I have no issue with him overhearing this conversation, so I stay where I am.

“I’m fine, dear,” Aunt Hildy says. “I’ve been thinking about things since you left. I fear I’m the reason Percy showed up in your life.”

“Forget about Percy,” I tell her.

William’s eyes widen as he listens to me talk. His hand rakes through his hair, leaving it a mussed mess.

“I can’t.” Aunt Hildy sighs heavily. “I can’t stop thinking about how he wanted you to marry him so he could get his hands on our Turquoise Crown.”