“Last night.”
“And?”
“And nothing.”
June gave me a sly look. The same one I could almosthearin Ruby’s text when I replied to her the same last night.
“Really. Nothing. He arrived. Walter greeted him with a flare of guilt and grumpiness, and they both went into their rooms. He was still asleep when I left. Probably jet-lagged. Plus, looked like he was in pain. He limped.”
“Hmmm.” June nodded.
“What?” I asked defensively.
“Nothing.” The look on her face told me she didn’t believe I was this indifferent.
“Oh, hey, I wanted to ask,” I said. “Do me a favor, don’t tell Angelo about him, or at least don’t tell him his name. Angelo follows European football, and he’ll know Owen. I think he’s here to keep a low profile.”
June pantomimed locking her mouth with her fingers.
“Thanks.”
She then turned her fingers the other way around, as if unlocking her lips. “So it did nothing to you to have him there?”
“I didn’t sleep well. That’s what you want to hear?”
“Yes.” She chuckled.
“It’s just strange having someone in the house besides Walter and me. This big star who I used to know suddenly fills in the space with his ...” I shrugged.
“With his body and face and good looks and charisma. I read about him and saw pictures. Iknowwhat it’s like to live in the same space with someone like that. I married him.”
“It’s different. You didn’t know Angelo before, and hewantedto stay here. Owen is not here because he wants to, and don’t forget that I used to know Owen but he’s an entirely different person now. And ... I don’t thinkthisOwen is someone I want to ... I wouldn’t askthisOwen to ... you know, if I were ... Never mind, we have customers.”
I hurried from behind the counter toward Mr. Amos who strode straight to the tea aisle.
“I’M READY,” WALTERannounced as soon as I walked in that afternoon. He was wearing a tracksuit over his swimsuit and holding his duffel bag.
“Are we still going? I thought ...”
“I want to go to the pool like I do every week. We had lunch together. For him it was breakfast, of course, because he only got up at twelve.”
“I told you he was jet-lagged. Is he here?”
“In his room, got a call from his agent.”
“Okay, let’s get going. Unless you want to be polite and ask him if he wants to join. Walter, I know you love him and that you’re a bit angry with him for not coming sooner, but please, it’s hard for him too, I’m sure. Let’s try—”
But before I could finish my lecture, Owen came down the stairs. His limp seemed better though his knee was still in a brace, the end of which was visible under the leg of his off-white cropped chinos that matched his leather sneakers. I nearly sighed out loud. Those soccer players sure had developed calves and thighs.
“Hey,” he greeted with a smile, raking his fingers through his dark brown hair.
“Hi,” I greeted back.
Even in a simple olive Henley that fitted his shoulders in a way that made me gulp, he looked effortlessly put-together. He looked ...elitewas the word that sprang to my mind. It took me a moment to realize why—these were no simple chinos, sneakers, or a henley. These were designer brands that individually cost like my monthly salary. I remembered the watch he was wearing at Emma’s christening and my uncle whispering to my mom, “That’s a Patek Phillipe.” I had beentoo busy tryingnotto see how good he had looked in a perfectly fitted suit to notice the watch.
“Mind if I come with you?”
“You can come but you look too fancy for the pool.” Walter didn’t waste words again.
