“Seriously, we could send a picture to my college alumni magazine like, right now.” He dropped down in the chair across from her and pretended like he was reaching for his phone, making her giggle and shield her face. “Honorary Rutger’s Scarlet for life.”
She grinned, scooping up veggie cream cheese on a knife. “I eat lowlifes like you for breakfast – ” She pointed it at him as she imitated his signature tough Jersey accent.
“ – with extra schmear.”
“That was classic, right?” He leaned an elbow on the table, watching as she took her first bite. The eggs were scrambled to ideal texture, and the onions not too strong; almost caramelized. Mixed in were perfectly salted bites of the smoked salmon, which had cooked along with the eggs. She’d never had lox this way, and didn’t think she could go back to eating it the usual way ever again.
“Why aren’t you eating?”
His half-smirk was bashful bachelor. “I could only find one fork.”
She handed it over, and they took turns.
Jonah’s coffee was amazing, too. Or maybe it was the entire tableau: curled up in the cozy studio, its view just another building on his tree-lined street. His neighbor’s window had fake snow sprayed into its corners, and you could make out the twinkling of a tree. If she could see that, Tzipi wondered if they could see Jonah’s electric menorah on his sill, and inside beyond it to the books and plants and the wide brim of his mug hiding his smile after she complimented his cooking.
New York seemed to have endless stories to daydream about.
She knew they were nowhere near the West Village, but she was getting that lazy afternoon cozy coffeeshop indulgence right here. Good thing, since she couldn’t leave Jonah’s apartment even if she wanted to.
At least they had all his mom’s bunker supplies. And Kara’s fancy ballgowns.
Inspiration struck.
While Jonah cleared the table and washed what he joked was his only pan, two plates and a fork, she snuck into the bathroom with Kara’s suitcase.
There was the blue velvet jumpsuit, right on top. Kara had mentioned wearing it on last year’s cruise. And Jonah had admitted his embarrassing encounter with her sister last Hanukkah had been the impetus for seeking her out. Putting two and two together…
“Hey, big guy.”
Jonah turned. And dropped the frying pan into the sink at the sight of her in the doorway. Hair fluffed, lips plumped. In blue velvet that practically plunged to her navel. How on earth did Kara manage to not flash boob every time she turned in this thing? Tzipi’s feet were bare, still recovering from last night’s stilettos. But otherwise, she considered it not a half-bad replica.
Despite being dumbfounded, Jonah’s reflexes were still sharp – he caught the college shirt she tossed. “Thanks for the loan. But I’m good now.”
He slowly put it on, gaze never leaving her except for when he pulled the T over his head. “I think you are being the opposite of good right now.” He slowly approached her. “This is all kinds of wrong.”
She held her ground and his stare, bee-stung lips slightly parted.
“I heard you had something you wanted to say to me?”
He was toe to toe with her now, gazing down at her. “You’re shorter than I recall.”
“No, that wasn’t it. Something you wanted to ask…”
He tilted his head, taking a deep, controlled breath. “Why do you smell so familiar? Like…like my deodorant.” Another healthy sniff, nose practically running up the side of the jumpsuit. “Just like Dr. Squatch.”
Work with me here, buddy. “I couldn’t find mine.”
He nosed up the other side of her. “Yep, that’s Mountain Meadow. The ‘wild, untamed edge of fresh,’ all right.”
She knew what he was trying to do. He was trying to get her to break character. If so, he was seriously underestimating her Method acting. Hands on her hips, she shook out her hair and turned her eyes upward. Blinked. And pouted.
He dropped to his knees. “Oh yeah. I wanted to ask forgiveness. And thank you.”
“For…?” Her hands rested on the top of his curls, ready to absolve him.
“For the chubby I am now sporting in my boxers.” He pulled the satin ribbon at her waist, and the bow unraveled. As did her commitment to the role.
“Jonah! I’m giving you this one pass…” she protested.
