“No. Have you?” Aubrey skated her a glance. “I assume you told Mom.”
“Hmm,” Adrienne muttered.
“Let me guess what she said: I told you so?”
Adrienne elbowed her. “You’re so smart.” She paused on the corner of Avenida Indepencia and stared at the University of Argentina. “Which building is the science building?”
“My lab is on the other side of campus. You should visit.”
“I think I will.” It felt good to change the subject. She asked about Aubrey’s work, her colleagues, and her sabbatical from the University of Washington as they walked down the street until they reached Avenida Sant Fe. Once they passed through the doors of El Ateneo, Adrienne murmured, “I may never leave.” And she didn’t know if she was talking about the bookstore or Argentina.
#
Sebastian pushed through the doors of Bar de Música. If the crowds in the shop surprised him, he didn’t show it. Nick took a deep breath and braced his shoulders for the encounter with his cousin and best friend.
Seb waved to Nick. Like all the Cavallero men, he was tall, broad, and handsome. And impatient.
Nick motioned for Seb to join him in the back office.
Seb nodded before attempting to weave through the patrons without spilling anyone’s coffee. “This place is a zoo,” Seb said. “Are you going to expand?”
“Nah. Things will calm down soon.” At least, he hoped so. Nick took the chair behind the desk.
Seb settled on the cracked leather sofa. “What if they don’t?”
“They will,” Nick said with more certainty than he felt.
“Not if Steph has anything to do with it.”
“Your sister,” Nick said, “is a godsend.”
“Is she a blessing or a plague?” Seb asked, grinning.
Nick beat his fingers on his desk, waiting for his cousin to get to the point of his visit.
“Have you heard from Adrienne?” Seb finally asked.
“No, why? Haven’t you?”
Seb frowned and looked out the rain-streaked window. “She’s gone to visit her sister.”
“Right.” Nick knew that.
“It’s been a few weeks…”
“Yeah.”
Seb leaned forward and put his elbows on his knees. “Abuelo can’t know.”
Nerves tingled down Nick’s spine and the palms of his hands started to sweat. “That she’s gone to visit her sister?”
“That she’s gone.” Seb didn’t fill in any of the blanks, but Nick’s thoughts rushed to answer all his questions.
“She left you?” Nick tightened his grip on the pen he was holding, realized what he was doing, and set it down quickly in the hope that Seb wouldn’t pick up on his visceral reaction.
“Nah.” Seb stood and went to the window to stare out at Seattle’s busy sidewalks. “I mean, she’ll be back.”
Nick fought the urge to clamp his hand on his cousin’s shoulder, spin him around and pelt him with questions first and his fists second.
