Charlotte said, “Sounds lovely, Arthur.”
“Yes, very generous of you, Mr. Hughes,” Patrick added.
Slowly, everyone’s eyes shifted to Giuseppe, who sighed and said, “Yes, yes, the bakeryandthe train both sound lovely.”
Arthur inhaled a fast breath, and a smile split his face. “Alright, then. Bakery, it is!”
Immediately, Arthur started walking, leading everyone past Machinery Hall toward the bakery. Jesse stayed back with his roommate. After a few feet, he bumped Giuseppe with his shoulder.
“Are you finished being surly now?” he asked.
“It looks like I have to be.”
“I thought you were fine with me and Arthur being together.”
“Yeah, I am. Mostly.” Giuseppe reached up to rub the back of his neck while they walked. “Look, Jess, I’m still worried sometimes, but I’ll try not to be if that’s what you want.”
“It is.”
“It’s not only that, though. I’m still a little... upset with him for the whole steel mill thing, too.”
Confused, Jesse shook his head. “Why?”
“Because they’re sending people home more and more in my current mill now. Permanently. Just like they are everywhere else.”
“And you think you’d have been better off at your old mill somehow?”
“Probably not, but I wish he’d have put as much effort into keeping it open as he seems to have put into planning a trip to this ridiculously ostentatious fair. Maybe that mill would have weathered everything better. I’m worried I’ll be out of work soon. Meanwhile, your beau is spending money without hesitation on treats and train rides.”
“He’s trying to be nice.”
“I know.” Giuseppe cringed. “Sorry.”
Jesse rolled his eyes. “It’s fine. But try to be a little nicer. It wouldn’t kill you.”
“It might.”
“No,Imight.” Jesse nodded ahead toward the rest of their group. “Or Patrick might.”
“Yeah, he seems like a bold one. Jeez, he was ready to take my head off back there.”
“Well, be nice to him, too. It’s a small miracle that Arthur’s staff is so accepting of us, Patrick included. I’d rather not have Patrick leave to work for some other family because of you.”
“Oh, he’s not leaving anytime soon. Didn’t you hear him say thatMr. Hughespays well?” Giuseppe said in a mocking tone.
“Jealous?” Jesse asked, crooking an eyebrow.
Giuseppe’s hand flew to his heart as though he was offended by the suggestion.
“No!” he said emphatically.
Jesse smirked in response. Giuseppewasjealous, wasn’t he? Though he’d never admit it.
“Uh-huh,” Jesse said. “I believe you.”
Giuseppe shoved Jesse ahead. “Go spend time with your sweetheart.”
Jesse snorted a laugh. Oh yes, Giuseppe wasveryjealous. Rather than continuing to tease his friend, especially since he needed Giuseppe to behave, Jesse took the opportunity to hurry ahead to meet up with Arthur as Giuseppe had sokindlysuggested.
