“Who’s your friend?” Tuck says.
“Levi, an old friend of Francesca’s,” he says tightly. “And you’re Tuck Avery, right? Player for the Pythons?”
“Hmm,” Tuck murmurs as he grabs a chair from a table nearby and sits down at the end. “Mind if I join you?”
“By all means,” I say dryly.
Levi stiffens. “Actually, we were in the middle—”
“Lori, I’ll have a green smoothie,” Tuck calls out to the waitress who’s at the counter. He gives her a blinding smile, and she titters and gives him a thumbs-up.
“Apparently, you know every waitress’s name in Manhattan,” I say.
He smiles. “I’m a charmer.”
But underneath, darkness simmers. I sense it on the verge of spilling over. I like that about him. The shadows.
“Now, what were you saying?” Tuck murmurs as he places his elbows on the table. “Oh, yeah, you and the princess know each other ...”
“Princess?” Levi asks.
I take a sip of my cider, ignoring Tuck and Levi’s question.
Tuck nods knowingly. “Yeah, man. Pet names usually follow after sex.”
My mouth parts as the waitress sets down his green smoothie.
“Tuck—” I snap, but he cuts me off.
“Yes, sweetheart?”
“Can we talk later?” I hiss. “Please.”
He takes a sip of his drink. “Sure. In a few.”
I grit my teeth, and he smiles back.
“Ah, so you two are ...?” Levi asks, his voice trailing off.
“Yes,” Tuck says. “Very much.”
I groan. “It—”
“It’s complicated,” Tuck interrupts, giving Levi a steely look. “But it’s going places.” He slides his eyes to me. “Did I tell you that Herman wants in on the coat thing?”
I blink, readjusting my train of thought. “Oh?”
“He’s putting boxes in the lobby for donations. It’s going to be a thing. Here’s my idea: I want to start a nonprofit that sets up stations all over the city. We can purchase coats from stores; take donations from businesses, from athletes I know; put up billboards. Of course, it’s just on the ground level, but by next year it could really be special. What do you think?”
“You’re going to fund it?”
“Yep.” He leans closer to me. “It could be a nationwide thing. What do you think?”
My lips twitch. “Imagine the endorphins your brain will release. Can we discuss it later?” I really need to settle this Levi thing, and Tuck doesn’t have the right to sit down and act like we’re together.
He nods. “The nonprofit could do more than just coats. We could set up centers in major cities for free counseling and shelter.” He slaps the table and checks out Levi. “Sorry to monopolize her. Who are you again?”
“An old friend,” Levi snaps. “You’ve interrupted—”