They’d have time with each other. They’d have time with their children. They’d have time to just sit by the lake, and watch the ripples in the water. They’d have time to take a helicopter into the city, and watch what they wanted to watch, and explore where they wanted to.
Nadya stayed in the bath until her fingers wrinkled, until the water went lukewarm and the sun went behind a cloud, leaving her chilly. All at once, the life she imagined seemed far away. She was Nadya Anderson again—just a girl playing a part, who wouldn’t get to play it for long. The longer she let it go on, the worse it would be. And time wasn’t on her side to begin with. The day after tomorrow, everything would be over, one way or another.
She got out of the bath, not so much feeling relaxed as disheartened. She chose her clothes carefully, and packed her purse with everything she had with her of value. She’d be leaving whatever she didn’t bring with her at the hotel.
She would tell him tonight, while they were out. They’d enjoy the date. She’d give them that. She wanted the memories of tonight to hold on to.
But she’d tell him before the sun came up. She had to.
NINE
They met in front of the elevator, at 7:30 on the dot. Dressing for Rudy’s had been much easier for Nadya, as she already knew what she was getting herself into. For Salman, it hadn’t been so easy. She opened her mouth to speak, but he put his finger to his lips to quiet her, and jerked his head toward the elevator doors.
When they were safely inside, headed down to the lobby, he spoke. “So what is it?”
She reached over and held his tie up in front of his eyes. “It’s this.”
He held the tie as well, and his fingertips grazed hers. Even though they’d touched casually many times today, the accidental touch still made her blush.
“It’s Armani. What’s wrong with it? It’s a good tie!”
“It’s a tie,” she said, reaching over and beginning to loosen it for him. “There are no ties at Rudy’s. Unless, weirdly, you’re a girl. Or you’re not wearing a shirt.”
He let her take his tie off. “Well, I’ll keep my shirt on. And I’m not a woman.”
“Thank you for clarifying,” Nadya said with over exaggerated relief, drawing a chuckle from him. “Better take your jacket off, too. Where we’re going, we don’t need jackets.”
He obliged, as the elevator reached the ground floor, and they made their way through the bustling lobby. The clientele of the hotel was a spectacle in and of itself. Nadya felt out of place in the clothes she’d chosen. It was a Friday night, and the rich and famous were out in force, heading for the great stage for debauchery and performed indulgence that was New York City on a weekend.
She felt Salman give her hand a squeeze, as if to reassure her. She tried to seem as though she was more at ease. The other Nadya – his Nadya, she must remind herself – wouldn’t be so overwhelmed by it all. They left the jacket and tie with a very confused receptionist, along with very clear instructions not to send it back up to their room.
As they left the lobby, the smell of New York in the summer hit Nadya like a racing train. She’d been so sheltered from it the last couple days, and she’d forgotten what a misery it could be.
“So, where to now, captain?” Salman asked her.
She liked the joy in his face. He had such an openness – so different than she’d ever imagined a man in his position. It was like he was a boy, heading out on an adventure with an imaginary friend and a toothbrush, never intending to return.
“Can we walk to where you have in mind?”
Nadya chuckled. “Not if we want to get there anytime soon.”
“So, a taxi?”
“No,” Nadya said, feeling bold and ready for the entertainment. “We’re going to take the subway.”
They walked a block and a half to the station, and the way he slowed as they descended the stairs confirmed Nadya’s suspicion: he’d never ridden the subway before.
“Don’t worry,” she reassured him, “It’ll be cooler on the train.”
He still held her hand, she noticed. She was amazed at how normal and how strange it felt, all at the same time. Only a day together, and they’d settled in. She felt closer to him now than she ever had her last boyfriend, though there had been a time she’d really thought that he might be her future.