“So go ahead,” Ani said.
“I left my phone in the office.”
Ani’s heart began to race. “Do you operate like it’s 1980? A normal person always has their phone with them. It’s called a mobile!”
He crossed his arms. “Well, where’s yours then?”
“In my bag, on that bench, remember?” She began to pace. “Along with my water and snacks and all the emergency supplies a person could need. Oh shit, oh shit.”
“Don’t panic,” Raffi said slowly, although his voice had lost some of its ease. “Sanan and Chris know we’re here. They’ll come soon enough.”
Ani wasn’t convinced. She strode to the door and pounded on it with her fist, the sound echoing loudly in the confined space. “Hello? Is anyone out there? Help!” She pressed her ear to the door, listening for footsteps or voices, but there was only silence.
“We’re near the edge of the property—”
“I know, I walked over with you,” Ani cut in.
Then she pulled at the door handle, confirmed that it was indeed locked, and let out a huge sigh.
“Can’t believe I took off my damn coat,” she muttered.
“Can’t believe I screamed at the sight of a mouse,” he mumbled, and she felt herself smiling despite her anxieties. “Don’t tell anyone, okay?” he said with levity. “I have a reputation to maintain.”
Right. His reputation. Well, she didn’t have to talk to him. She’d act like he was part of the shelving.
Ani found a low round barrel; sat on it, hugging herself; and turned away from Raffi. She started to feel ice-cold, the type of chill that seeped into her bones and made her achy and sick. It was frigid in here. Technically above freezing, but only just.
Her makeshift chair was icy against her thighs, and an actual shiver released itself along her body. Ani closed her eyes and concentrated on being warm. A sandy beach in the tropics, rays penetrating her skin. Closing all the doors in a hot car.
There was some shuffling of feet and some moving around of objects on the shelves behind her. Raffi was no doubt grabbing the chalk.
Then, suddenly, she felt warmth envelop her shoulders and neck and she jumped the tiniest bit as her eyes flicked open. It was fabric, heavy and comforting. Smelling of verdant, rain-soaked herbs. Raffi had draped his coat over her shoulders.
Ani turned toward him and glanced up, half suspicious, half grateful. The coat was like a heated blanket, thawing her insides.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“Of course,” he said.
Then, when she didn’t turn away, he added, “Don’t want your family to sue us if you drop dead here.”
“Uh-huh,” she said, and could feel a smile in her voice.
“Seriously, you okay?” he asked.
She nodded. “I’m good now.”
She turned back around to face the door, thinking that the coat smelled way too decadent. She closed her eyes and took adeep inhale. Spiced air. Rich blue, green, browns. It didn’t mean anything that this was possibly the best scent she’d ever encountered in her life. She was just a perfume aficionado.
“So. What do you like to do for fun?” Raffi asked, out of the blue.
Ani turned to face him and wanted to respond, “Wouldn’t you like to know,” but his expression seemed earnest. He was asking her about herself. She also detected a subtle shiver rattle his shoulders. Hehadjust given her his coat.
She shrugged. “I don’t know. Nothing out of the ordinary.”Just like me, she couldn’t help but think. “Hang out with my friends. Watch movies, the kind I’m sure you’d hate.”
“You’re sure I’d hate them?” Raffi questioned, the beginning of a smile starting.
She pulled the coat tighter around her body, felt the soft fabric against her fingers as they pinched it shut. “You know, frilly romantic stuff. Gallant men. Hijinks. Crosses over into my line of work, too, minus the hijinks. I guess most of what I do for fun relates to work. I brush up on flower arranging, photo editing, that kind of thing. I love making things beautiful for other people. I get to design a little corner of their lives that’s just joy. I’m sure that sounds—well, whatever.” Then, realizing she was talking too much, too fast—was she nervous?—she decided to change the subject.
