Page 62 of Love Is an Art
“Sebastian just texted that he is walking fast,” I say.
“From midtown?” Ben asks. “He might want to jog.”
“From Christopher Street,” I say. “He just got off the subway.”
I don’t have much of an appetite.
“You look like crap,” Sebastian says as he joins us at the table. “Is Arthur still on your case?”
“He just broke up with somebody,” Ben says.
“I don’t need you to broadcast that,” I say. Seriously. Ben.
“Youbroke up with her? Why?” Sebastian waves at my face. “Given that you appear sorry. Can you get back together?”
“No,” I say, as Ben says “Yes.”
Sebastian says, “And here I thought you subscribed to my philosophy that being single has a lot to recommend it.”
After the spectacular catastrophe with Paisley.He doesn’t need to say it. It’s implied. That’s the drill when you have a well-known office relationship that ends badly.
“I’ve renewed my subscription,” I say.
Ben shakes his head. “I’m looking forward to watching you fall hard, Sebastian. And Zeke, you should man up and call her and say you freaked out, but you’ve thought about it and you’re back on board.”
“Zeke freaked out?” Sebastian says. “This gets more interesting.”
“He means I broke up with her,” I say. “I found out that she was lying to me.”
“She told you,” Ben says. “It wasn’t like you were doing some undercover investigation.”
“No. She was.”
“She’s an undercover investigator? That’s pretty cool,” Sebastian says. “Maybe I should take up dating again.”
“She’s not for you,” I practically growl.
Sebastian and Ben both look at each other.Great.
I wave my hand. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Do any of you play squash?” Sebastian asks. “My usual partner is less available now that he has a serious girlfriend.”
Sebastian’s a good guy. The change of subject is appreciated.
“I play,” I say.
“There’s a good bar around here if you want to go for a drink,” Sebastian says. Ben has already peeled off to head home to Brooke.
“Sounds good,” I say.
As we reach the corner of brownstone-lined Perry Street, we pass by a glass-fronted restaurant. Couples sit at tables outside.
“This café has excellent coffee,” Sebastian says.
I glance inside. And there is Tessa. Framed in the window. With that Jurgen guy. She’s leaning forward, almost as if she’s beseeching him. He reaches out and puts his hand on hers.
She doesn’t pull away.
