Page 44 of The Mouse and the Maestro

“And I have a pending proposal from my ex-boyfriend of ten years.”

“Yes.”

“You can’t trust me completely, both because you’re not certain I’m not a criminal, but mostly because I lack a virtual footprint.”

“Yes.”

“I’m angry with you because you won’t let go of your distrust.”

“Yes?” he said, but that time it came out sounding like a question. He couldn’t say for certain what she was feeling, only that it was something that kept her from giving in to him, to them.

“We agree there are too many issues between us,” she said.

“Yes.”

They were quiet a few seconds, their eyes on the horizon as a not-so-subtle tension began to wind between them, coiling like a snake.

“You’re going to kiss me now, aren’t you?” she asked.

“Yes.”

He reached for her, but she held up a hand and leaned away. “I think I should call Charles.”

“To tell him I’m going to kiss you? I’d prefer to keep it between us,” Blue said.

“To tell him I’m in danger, to tell him he might be in danger. Plus I’d like to meet with him, to pick his brain and see if he has any idea what’s going on.”

Blue sat back. “No.”

“I don’t understand that word as you think it relates to me,” she said.

“This is a sensitive operation. You can’t tell anyone about it,” he said.

“I don’t have to tell him everything, but I can give him a heads up, see if he has any ideas about what might be going on. Why are you shaking your head at me?”

“I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to meet with him,” Blue said.

“Why not?”

“Because he has a thing for you. You guys clearly have chemistry.”

Jane put her hand to her head. “Are you actually telling me you don’t want me to meet with my friend of twenty years because you’re jealous?”

“No, of course not.”

“Then why?” she asked.

“Because I don’t want you to meet with your friend of twenty years because I’m jealous,” he said. ‘I don’t know where that immature possessiveness came from, sorry. It’s just that you andhe seemed to have chemistry, a connection, and my kneejerk reaction is to hide you away from him.”

“I’m not interested in Charles,” she said. “But even if I were, it wouldn’t matter. You and I are not together. You have zero claim on my time or attention.”

“I know. You’re right, you’re totally and completely right. Just like you’re not jealous that I have a thing for Maggie.”

“Right, except I kind of completely am,” Jane said, frowning. “What is wrong with us?”

“I don’t know, but I’m inclined to blame you,” Blue said. “I was doing fine until you came along, pepper sprayed me, and made me like you.”

“You were doing fine mooning over your married coworker?” she said.

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