You don’t arrange accidents.
You don’t decide which pieces of your life I’m allowed to know.”
His answer was immediate.
“Agreed.”
“And I get to say no.”
“Always.”
I studied him.
Power had been the frightening thing about Luca when I learned the truth.
Now the only question that mattered was what he did when I placed a limit on that power.
So far, he was standing exactly where I’d told him to stand.
I adjusted the strap on my camera.
“I have work to do.”
“Then I should stop distracting the photographer.”
He stepped aside.
I walked toward the private dining room, then turned back.
“Luca.”
“Yes?”
“Tomorrow.
Seven thirty.”
His eyes narrowed slightly.
“At the café?”
“At the café.”
“Is that an invitation?”
“It’s a test.”
“Those are usually more expensive.”
“Seven thirty.
Not seven fifteen.”
A slow smile appeared.
“I can follow instructions.”
“We’ll see.”
The next morning I arrived at 7:29.
Luca wasn’t there.
At exactly 7:30, the door opened.
He walked in alone.
Mr.
Lynn looked from him to me and wisely said nothing.
Luca approached my table but didn’t sit.
“May I?”
I pointed to the chair.
“Now you’re learning.”
He sat.
Mr.
Lynn brought my coffee and muffin, then looked at Luca.
“Double espresso?”
“Yes.”
Mr.
Lynn glanced at me.
“Separate tabs?”
I answered before Luca could.
“Definitely.”
Luca nodded solemnly.
“Apparently I am no longer permitted financial influence over blueberry muffins.”
Mr.
Lynn disappeared behind the counter laughing.
I looked at Luca across the small table where I’d once believed we were two strangers repeatedly colliding by chance.
We weren’t strangers anymore.
