“Because I like you better than anyone else. And someday, you’ll like me better than anyone else too,” he said, winking at me.
I smiled. It didn’t matter that I was behaving like a raving bitch, Adler found a way to disarm me.
He took another drink of his wine. “Come on, let me take you out for dinner at least. It’s too damn hot to cook.”
He wasn’t just sweet, he was always so generous with me. Yeah, he let himself into my apartment, but how many times a week did we go out and he refused to let me pay? At the very minimum, I should accept his invitation graciously. Besides, if I stayed here, all I’d do was wallow in self-pity.
“Okay, but nowhere fancy.”
Adler motioned to his shirt and shorts. “Not exactly dressed for black tie, Mil.”
“This place is such a tourist trap,” I said when he turned right at the corner of Boylston and Dalton.
“You have to admit, their lobstah is wicked pissa.”
“Ad, it’s too expensive.”
“I got you.”
I rolled my eyes. “I still have a paycheck coming; I can buy my own dinner.” Of course, the only thing I’d be able to afford here was a cup of clam chowder.
“I invited you, remember? My treat.”
“Thank you,” I murmured.
“Wine?” he asked when we were seated at the crowded bar.
“I’d rather have a beer.”
Adler raised an eyebrow.
“It’s just so hot.”
“You don’t need to convince me. Two Mystics when you get a chance,” he said to the bartender before turning back to me.
“Let’s talk about something besides the job. I’m sure you’ll get another one lined up in no time. How’s your sister doing? Have you spoken to her recently?”
How’s my sister? What an odd thing for Adler to ask. He’d only met Sybil once, and I’d always been forthright about our lack of a relationship. Not to mention, bringing up Sybil reminded me of the state of my now-empty savings account and the fact that I no longer had a job in order to replenish it.
“I’m sure she’s fine,” I answered, wondering if she really was. The last time I was in Texas, we’d argued to the point where I changed my ticket and returned to Boston ahead of schedule. Since, I’d had an inexplicable feeling that something was up with Sybil. Not that I’d call to find out. My sister and I had never gotten along, even when we were children.
I took a long swig from the bottle of beer the bartender set in front of me.
“You okay?” Adler asked, resting his hand on my arm.
I bristled at his touch like I had earlier. “Yeah, I’m just tired.”
He frowned. “Why do you do that?”
“I’m sorry. I just…”
“Don’t like being touched. Yeah, I get it.” He got off the stool and went in the direction of the men’s room.
When he came back, he acted as though nothing uncomfortable had happened. I did my best to pay attention as he rambled on about his day, but I couldn’t stop my mind from drifting back to losing my job and why I suddenly had a bad feeling about my sister.
After dinner, I let Adler talk me into going to a concert at a park a few blocks from our building. We sat in the grass, and I closed my eyes, letting the smooth jazz wash away my worries—at least temporarily.
I must’ve dozed off, but I woke with a start when I felt Adler touch my arm.