Nodding, I take a sip of the coffee. “I can arrange for you to see a matinee of a show on Broadway, or I can book you a table at Nova for a late lunch.”
Her eyes widen. “That’s all tempting, but I have something I need to take care of, so I’ll handle that today.”
As eager as I am for details, I don’t ask. I won’t pry into her life because I don’t want her to pry into mine.
“I’m going to hit the shower.” I nod toward the bathroom. “I wouldn’t mind the company if you wanted to join. I’d love a front row seat to one of your shower concerts.”
Her chin dips as a wide smile blooms on her lips. “You can hear me when I sing in the shower?”
“Most of Manhattan can,” I jest. “It’s music to the ears of all New Yorkers.”
“Funny.” She slaps a hand across my bare chest. “Let’s save the shower concert for another time.”
Cupping a hand over her cheek, I stare into her eyes. “Promise me that will happen.”
Her hand darts into the air as if she’s taking an oath. “I promise that before we leave New York and go our separate ways, I’ll sing you a song in the shower.”
And I promise I’ll let you go.
I keep those words to myself even though it’s a promise I don’t want to keep. I don’t have a choice. When her brother gets back to town, this ends. It has to end.
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
Emma
“Is that a new game?”Mickey cranes his neck to get a better look at the screen of my phone.
“Mick.” His mom gives him a playful tap on the shoulder. “Don’t be nosy.”
I laugh off the idea that any child his age could be nosy. “I tell my students back home that it’s good to ask questions and to be inquisitive.”
“According to Miss Owens, you are a very good boy.” Delaney directs her words to her son but offers me a soft smile.
When I stopped in at Sweet Bluebells, I didn’t expect to see Delaney and Mickey huddled together at a corner table.
They spotted me just as I was about to order a cup of lemonade to go. When they waved me over, I couldn’t resist joining them.
I turn my phone’s screen around and place it on the table in front of Mickey. “This is an app I use to organize and print my photos. It’s called Printe.”
His gaze scans the screen before he taps his index finger on an image. “That’s Bella.”
I caught her in a moment of bliss as she was looking down at her small baby bump yesterday. I showed her the picture, and she insisted I send it to her. The tears in her eyes when she thanked me for taking it made the image a keeper.
“I’ll print that one for my scrapbook back home.” I slide my finger over the screen. “Today, I’m going to get a larger print made of a very special picture.”
“Who is that?” Mickey leans closer to me.
“My brother and his wife.” I turn the phone toward him. “It’s pretty great, isn’t it?”
He shrugs. “I guess it is if you like weddings.”
“I love weddings.” Delaney shifts her chair closer. “Can I see?”
I hand her the phone.
“Emma, this is gorgeous.” Her eyes dart up to look at me. “Where did they get married?”
“Ireland.”
