Page 151 of Crystal Iris
“When you have pages ready, let me know. I’d like to readthem,” I say before showing him a few more pieces I think he’ll enjoy.
Our tour puts me in a better mood, and I finally leave the museum feeling optimistic.
“Are you home?” Hoyt asks later that night over the phone.
“No, I’m on my way back from yoga.”
“The lawyers called. Aaron’s firm wants to meet. They’re apparently settling the case.”
“What does that mean?”
“They’re releasing the money—giving it all back.”
“Really?”
He laughs. “I know, it’s crazy. Maybe they just came to their senses.”
“Yeah, maybe.”
“I’m leaving tonight. I was wondering… should I get a hotel?”
“Oh… you can stay at my place… if you want. It’s not luxurious, as you know, but I cleaned it up. I don’t know if we’ll fit in the bed with a mountain of pillows, though.”
“I don’t care about that. I’ll sleep on the floor. Are you sure? You hesitated.”
“Of course, you just caught me off guard.”
“Okay, I gotta run. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I’m planning to meet Hoyt after my morning lecture. I’ve left my keys for him with the doorman.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, almost dropping my books.
“I wanted to see you, at work,” Hoyt says.
“I have to stop at my office really quick, and then we can go.”
“Not even a tour?” heasks.
“A tour?”
“It’s my first time.”
I laugh. “At Harvard?”
“At college.”
I smile. “That building over there is the library. This one, the history of art department. And that one, over on the other side, is where the real smart ones work—like Akira.”
We’re walking to my office when James comes over. “Iris?”
I turn around.
“I wanted to thank you. I had a great time yesterday.”
Hoyt is standing next to me. I don’t know if I should introduce him.I don’t even know how to introduce him, I realize.
“Oh, sure. See you tomorrow, James.”
