“I saw them sharing a cider and some sort of snack near the Irish Village,” Charlotte said.
Claire sucked in a fast breath, looking scandalized. “Sharing, hm?”
Jesse nearly chortled. He knew what Claire was implying. But Giuseppe had never liked anyone. Had never and would never. He’d said so himself.
Just then, Patrick and Giuseppe came into view. Both men were walking toward them, smiling and laughing and... sharing a beer?
Jesse quirked an eyebrow as they came close.
“Don’t worry, we’ve only had two,” Giuseppe said, and Patrick immediately elbowed him for it. “Alright, three. But we’re fine.”
“Somehow, Mr. Caputo here knows how to hold his liquor,” Patrick said.
“Of course I do. Back when I lived with my parents, I’d sneak sips of my papa’s homemade grappa here and there. I’ve been enjoying the finer things in life since I was a kid.”
“Finer things. I’m not sure you know the meaning of those words,” Patrick teased. Giuseppe stuck out his tongue, and Patrick shook his head. “Thank you for proving my point.”
“Enough silliness,” Arthur said, holding up his hands. “If we want to have time to enjoy the moving sidewalk, we have to leave now.”
“Moving sidewalk?!” Giuseppe asked.
“Oh, there’s no reason to fret, Mr. Caputo. I’m sure Patrick can hold your hand if needed,” Arthur said with a flippant flick of his wrist.
Jesse covered his mouth with his hand to hold in a laugh, but he still snorted loudly enough for Giuseppe to notice. Giuseppe crinkled his nose while Patrick snickered.
Smiling wryly, Arthur turned and started back toward Jackson Park, motioning for everyone to follow.
“Jesse?” Arthur asked as Jesse came up beside him.
“Hm?”
“I think you’re right. Ihavebeen happier today. I’ve been having a sinful amount of fun.”
Jesse smiled up at him warmly. “I’m really happy to hear that, Arthur. I know how much the fair means to you.”
“Youmean a lot to me, too. Everyone I brought with me here means a lot to me.”
“Even Giuseppe?” Jesse chuckled.
Arthur chuckled too. “Even Giuseppe. Who else might remind me in such a brutally honest manner not to behave like the snob I no longer wish to be?”
“I thought maybe I filled that role.”
“Oh, but you are never so brutal in your honesty.” Jesse cocked an eyebrow in silent protest, and Arthur huffed a laugh. “Alright,almostnever. But my point still stands. I love every single person whose World’s Fair ticket I purchased. Being here with everyone has been nothing short of sublime. I feel so free and happy and, well, I want tokeepfeeling that way.”
“I want that for you as well.”
“Good, because that means you might say yes to this probably-terrible idea I have.”
“Which is what?”
“I want you to come to my home and eat with my parents sometime. I want to flaunt our friendship a little. Or, well, if not flaunt, then at least not keep hiding it. I still feel so terrible that you were worried about me leaving you someday because of the risks associated with our being together. And I never want you to feel as though, because of my family name, we must keep even ourfriendshipto ourselves.”
“Are you . . . sure? Won’t your parents—”
“Think that I’ve lost my mind? Oh yes, I’m positive that they will.” He shrugged. “But they’ve thought that for years, Jesse.” He shook Jesse’s shoulder a little. “So, what do you think? Will you come by to have dinner with them? Maybe even in one week’s time?”
“Uhm, sure,” Jesse replied slowly, his stomach flip-flopping as the words tumbled out of his mouth. “I’ll be there.”
