Page 132 of Only Lovers in the Building

I’m leaving next week, she acknowledged to herself.

It was time she behaved accordingly.

Chapter Thirty-Four

“I don’t know about another season,” Lily said. “This summer was perfect. I don’t want to ruin it.”

“You’re right,” he said. “The sequel hardly ever lives up to the original.”

Lily stuffed a pastry in her mouth. For once, she didn’t enjoy being right.

“Mr. Romero?”

Ben turned to a young woman who’d tentatively approached them. The lanyard around her neck identified her as a student volunteer.

“Yes,” he said.

“Mr. Aubrey would like to speak with you.”

“How does he know who I am?” Ben asked her.

The student was more than willing to volunteer this information. “He’s a fan,” she said. “So am I, by the way. I’m registering for your class in the fall.”

“Thanks. See you in the fall.” He turned to Lily. “Will you come with me?”

“No. Go ahead,” she said. “I’ll get the books and join you soon. It’s more efficient this way.”

Lily needed a few minutes alone to calm down. Ben squeezed her hand and went off for his private audience. At the bookstand, Lily chatted absently with the seller, waiting for her heartbeat to stabilize. The man handed her a receipt and asked if she could use a drink of water.

“I’m fine,” she said, though sweating profusely. “Thanks for asking.”

She wasn’t fine. She had that sick feeling that she was making a mistake. Or was it this hotel? Returning had brought her face-to-face with a former version of herself, one who questioned her every decision.

When she joined Ben, the Nobel laureate was praising his father’s work. “He wrote about power better than anyone.”

“That’s what they say,” Ben said, already turning to Lily, taking the books off her hands, drawing her close.

“Is this your wife?” Greyson asked.

“No,” Ben replied. “This is my . . . Lily.”

“Ah, my mistake,” Greyson said with a laugh. “In my time, we were herded into the institution, two by two, like cattle. Your generation does not have that problem. I envy your freedom. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lily.”

“The pleasure is mine,” Lily said, calmer now that Ben had his hand at her waist.

Greyson resumed his line of questions. “Would you say your father was satisfied with his body of work overall?”

“I couldn’t say for sure,” Ben said. “We never discussed it.”

Greyson studied him for a while. “Father-son relationships are complicated, aren’t they?”

“We did not have much of a relationship.”

“I see.”

“What are you working on, presently?” Greyson inquired. “If you don’t mind my asking.”

“I’ve started a few projects. All have stalled.”