“I’ll look into it.”
Something was clearly bothering him. She didn’t think she should ask. It was just as likely to be her imagination. But when he abruptly got to his feet, she knew it wasn’t.
“But now, I really do have to leave.”
Disappointed, Catherine accompanied him downstairs, and when she opened the front door, there was a kid sitting on the bottom step of her stoop. She couldn’t imagine what he was doing there.
He jumped to his feet and looked at Tony. “Hey, Mr. Paladino. Nonna wants you to come over. She’s got something wrong with—” his face, pale under the unflattering outdoor light, scrunched with thought “—something in the kitchen.”
Tony frowned. “When did your grandma send you over? It’s almost seven o’clock.”
The kid, who looked to be around ten, shrugged. “I dunno. She and my mom were arguing about something. Then I was supposed to come here. Wait to catch you before you went home.”
Tony turned to Catherine. “Sorry. This is Ricky Alberti. His grandmother is your neighbor.”
She smiled at the boy. “Nice to meet you.”
When Tony stepped outside, his frown looked even more doleful in the bad light. “You tell your grandma that she should call Gina for an appointment. No. Have her call me. I’ll tell her myself.”
Ricky shrugged again. “’Kay.” Then he was off like a shot.
“I’m sorry about that,” Tony said, sounding irritated despite the easy smile. “He shouldn’t have been hanging around your stoop.”
“It’s no problem. I find it kind of charming, actually. The sign of a tight neighborhood.”
The brief glance toward the neighbor’s house indicated he didn’t agree. Huh. “Well, I’m not thrilled at being at everyone’s beck and call. Anyway, I’ll be going now.” He took two steps down before turning to her again. “Hope you like the dumplings. They’re my favorite.”
Grateful the tension had vanished, she almost asked him to stay and have some of hers, but she stopped herself just in time. “Good night, Tony. Thank you. For tonight.”
He smiled, nodded, but didn’t look at her again. He just hurried away.
She closed the door, and wished very hard that he’d forgotten something. His cell phone. A jacket. To kiss her.
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