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Richard took my arm in a firm grip, like I was a ship to be steered, and led me toward the garage, where a gleaming Randolph car waited.
Will’s eyes narrowed briefly as he took my other arm. “Slow down, Dad. Andie isn’t used to your pace.”
“She’s a city girl now,” Richard boomed. “Aren’t you, Andrea?”
Will’s hand tightened on my arm.
“I’ve only been here two weeks,” I said.
“I’m sure you’re learning the ropes,” Richard chuckled. “Caroline is impressed. You want a job at the end of the summer?”
I sucked in a breath. “Thank you so much. I’ll think about it.”
Of course I wanted a job. This job. I loved the work, and even more than that, the city. All the bustle and life, the anonymous crowds, were an antidote to the loneliness I’d felt in my isolated childhood home. I loved everything about the offer except that Richard controlled the strings.
He’d dashed my dreams once. Was it foolish or wise to accept?
The drive to the restaurant was brief, despite New York traffic. Inside, the room was all soft, deep tones and muted voices. The maitre d’ greeted Richard and Will by name and showed us to a table where Aunt Rose was waiting.
I tried not to gape during dinner, but the menu had no prices listed and the food was so good, it seemed to be from another world. The tastes, the textures, the presentation were all exquisite.
Midway through the meal, Aunt Rose informed me that she and Uncle Richard would be going to Nantucket over the weekend, and asked pointedly if I had my own plans.
“Or are you included in Will’s plans for the weekend?” She speared a cherry tomato with a fork.
Will, studying his phone while I found a hundred reasons not to look at him, glanced up. Those clear green eyes settled on me. Uncle Richard, bored, was dictating something into his own phone. Clearly, the magic of the restaurant was lost on them.
“No,” I said brightly. “I’ll be busy. And I have a date.”
“How nice, dear.” Aunt Rose patted my arm. “Be safe.”
Will’s eyes flickered.
“With who?” Uncle Richard put his phone down, next to his plate of squid ink tagliatelle. Will’s gaze made me nervous, but Uncle Richard’s dark stare bored right through me.
“A friend of a friend. Of a friend.”
“What’s his name?”
“Richard, you don’t need to launch an investigation,” Aunt Rose murmured.
“He’s advertised as being very nice.” I took a long gulp from my glass, hoping the subject would blow over. I might be under Richard’s roof for the summer, but I was an adult. Whether or not I felt like one.
“Nice is good.” Will pushed back his chair and stretched. “I’m going to the Bahamas this weekend.”
I choked on my cucumber water and tried to cover my snorting.
“Andrea, really,” Aunt Rose drawled. Richard grunted, focused on his phone again, and Will, grinning broadly, reached over to pat my face with a napkin. I pushed his hand away.
“No, you’re not,” I said once I’d caught my breath. I could feel my blush, but spraying liquid across the elegantly set table had been satisfying.
“Sure I am. Leaving work early tomorrow. Staying for two nights. Want to come?” Under the table, a warm leg nudged mine. Will’s slacks brushed my bare skin.
“No, really, it’s okay.”
Aunt Rose twirled her fork, watching us lazily.
“I can buy you a ticket right now. First class.”
