“No.” She said it firmly. “I don’t have time. We’re really busy building up the business.”
He gave her a long, steady look but didn’t pursue it. “Do you have any work events between now and Christmas?”
“A couple, but nothing I need to attend in person. I’m using a company called Delicious Eats, and they’re great.”
“What about the Christmas party at the assisted living community? Are you going to go?”
Eva wondered why he was asking her that question. “Why would I?”
“You said that you missed seeing the people there. They probably miss you, too. Why not go?”
It was an option that hadn’t occurred to her. “I don’t know. I thought about going to visit a couple of times after Grams died, but it was so hard—” She tested the idea and felt a flutter of mixed emotions. “I’m worried that going somewhere so full of memories will be painful.”
“Or they might make you feel connected. I’m sure the staff and residents there have memories of their own. They might appreciate sharing them with someone who knew her and loved her.”
The waiter appeared, delivering hot coffee, plates of eggs Florentine and French toast.
Eva stared at her food without seeing it, thinking about Tom and all her grandmother’s friends. “I’ve neglected them. I should have gone and visited but—”
“It feels daunting. So take someone with you for moral support.”
“There isn’t anyone. Paige and Frankie are so busy I couldn’t possibly ask them. Matt is working on a project out in Long Island so he’s away a lot and Jake—well, Jake is great, but not the sort of guy I’d want to cry on.”
“I’ll come with you. And you’ve already cried on me so we’ve covered that one.”
His offer took her by surprise. “You’d do that?”
“You’ve helped me by being here. If I can help you, then I’d like to.”
She was touched, and part of her wondered why he’d make such a generous offer. “You’d be mobbed. One of my grandmother’s closest friends is a fan of yours.”
“I appreciate fans. Without them, I wouldn’t have a job. The only part that makes me uneasy is when women send me their underwear.”
“That happens?”
“More than you’d think.” He told her a few stories about various incidents at book signings and she listened, amused and intrigued.
“I had no idea being an author could be so exciting. You should get danger money. But Tom is ninety, so I don’t think you’d be in any physical danger from him.”
“Eat.” He gestured to her plate. “And think about it.”
She thought about it as they ate, and afterward as they strolled down Fifth Avenue to the Rockefeller Center to admire the Christmas tree.
“I used to come here with Grams.” She leaned against him, watching the skaters glide around the ice rink in a blur of color, wrapped up against
the crisp, cold air. Skyscrapers sparkled behind them, dazzling in the winter sunshine. “Sometimes I’d skate and she’d watch. I wish she was here now. I miss talking to her.”
“What would you talk about?”
“I’d ask her advice. Sometimes when I’m not sure what to do about something, I close my eyes and try to imagine what she’d say. Does that sound crazy?”
“No.” He slid his fingers under her chin and lifted her face to his. “What advice do you need? What would you ask her if she were here?”
She’d ask her grandmother what she should do about Lucas.
“Nothing specific.” She forced a smile. “I’m freezing. We should get back to the apartment so you can work. Thanks for breakfast.”
Sixteen