Page 28
“MoMA. I was going to go to the Museum of Natural History, but I changed my mind at the last minute.” I didn’t add that I’d avoided it because I was afraid it would make me think of Rafe all day. “I saw this painting called Electric Bloom. The background was this deep plum color—not quite purple, not quite black. I was thinking maybe we could paint one of the bedroom walls that color, like an accent wall.”
“Sure. Whatever you want, babe.”
“I also saw Starry Night, Water Lilies, and this really strange Salvador Dali painting I kind of fell in love with even though it’s nothing like my usual style for art.”
“That’s great.”
The line went quiet for a moment, and I wondered if he was still watching whatever baseball game he’d been blasting when I called. I had no proof, but the thought left me deflated. There was just no getting Calder excited about this.
“Yeah,” I sighed. “It was a nice museum.”
“It sounds like you had a fun day. I’m sorry I couldn’t be there with you.”
“You would’ve been miserable at the museum anyway.”
“No, I would’ve been happy. Because I can hear how excited you are, and seeing you smile makes me happy, even if museums aren’t my thing.”
I smiled, but it didn’t feel like quite what I was hoping for. When had I gotten so picky? “That’s very sweet.”
“It’s true. I love you, and I hate when you’re down.”
He meant it. I knew he did. And somehow, that made me feel worse. “I had a really good day.”
“See? I told you New York would start to feel like home.”
“Yeah…it is.”
We talked for a few minutes longer, but when we hung up, the quiet felt even louder than before. And I hated myself for lying again. I’d started the conversation off well, but still ended up pretending.
I stared at my phone for a minute, then dropped it on the couch and pushed myself to my feet. Sitting around wasn’t helping. I considered going for another run, but my shins were already starting to hurt from this morning. Instead, I picked up the laundry basket in the corner. Doing something mindless was better than doing nothing at all.
When I passed Rafe’s apartment, his door was still open, but I made myself look straight ahead and didn’t slow down until I got to the basement. I set my basket on top of the dryer and flipped the washing machine lid open.
A gray blur shot upward.
I screamed and slammed the lid shut so fast, my fingers vibrated from the force. “Oh my God! Oh my God!” I stumbled back, nearly tripping over my own feet as footsteps thundered down the stairs over my head.
“Talia?” Rafe called. A second later, he bounded down the basement stairs in three long strides. “What’s the matter?”
“There’s a—” I pointed to the machine. “—in there!”
He followed my line of sight, then looked back at me. “In the washer?”
“Yes!”
Rafe stepped to the machine and lifted the lid just a fraction before letting it drop again. “Okay. Yeah. That happens from time to time.”
My eyes widened. “Mice live in the washer?”
“No, I meant they get into the house, particularly the basement.” His lip twitched, like he was trying hard not to laugh.
“It’s not funny!”
“It’s a little funny. Admit it.”
“Are you out of your mind?”
“Haven’t you seen a mouse before?”
