Imaginary Lines (New York Leopards 3)

Don’t get me wrong. I liked New York food. New York food was fine. I didn’t even have a problem with their pizza, despite them having some overplayed grievance with ours. (I figured it was part of the New York mentality to enjoy having grievances.) But there was nothing like sitting down at one of Alice Waters’s restaurants, and the delicate, fresh tastes of her entrees. Butternut squash and goat cheese and quinoa, pumpkin seed cilantro salsa... Mom had mesquite-grilled brochettes, and we all split polenta with herb butter. My taste buds could die and leave my tongue senseless, and I would be happy.

Of course, after my mom finished grilling me about every new roommate and job development, she had to go and ask, “Met any interesting boys?”

Abe turned to me brightly with brows lifted. The corners of his lips rose with ill-concealed entertainment.

I directed disapproval at my mother. “Mom.”

She gestured widely with her fork. “What? They don’t mind.”

Abe propped his chin in his hand and gave me Bambi-eyes. “Well.”

“I’m doing fine,” I said repressively.

Sharon, thank God, saved me. “I think it’s wonderful that you’re out there, pursuing your dream.”

“Thanks.”

“And you?” Abe’s dad said to his son. “You’re being good? Showing her the sights?”

I almost choked on my cube of squash. Oh, yes. All the sights.

Abe smiled brightly. “Giving her all the best tours.”

Oh my God, this was so awkward and they didn’t even know it.

The rest of dinner went as well as could be expected when you’re engaged in a clandestine relationship that you’re attempting to keep from two sets of parents, and I gave a sigh of relief when it was over. I didn’t like separating from Abe, bidding him good night like I didn’t wish I could climb into bed beside him, but we pulled it off. He squeezed my hand quickly, and then we were in different cars headed back to the same town.

* * *

The next morning, I walked down to the high school track for the Turkey Day 5K. We weren’t scheduled to show up to the Krasners’ until one, and this way I had time to meet with Gabi and Cindy.

Gabi actually ran, while Cindy and I leisurely walked arm in arm. “So how is it? New York.”

We were the kind of friends that had grown up together, who had been each other’s sounding boards during the terrors of adolescence, who had suffered acnes and embarrassments. We’d been together through the moments when the world opens up and each sunset is a marvel and life could be wonderful and horrible in the same minute.

I still didn’t know exactly how to broach the topic of Abe to her. “It’s...interesting.”

“Cold.”

I let out a huff of breath. “Yes, that.”

We took another few steps. “Interesting how?”

“Um... You know that Abe lives there.”

She groaned. “Oh, please no.”

I stopped and twisted toward her in surprise. Cindy had always displayed more patience with my crush than Gabi had, though I’d known she wasn’t always convinced it was my healthiest move. “What?”

She looked a tiny bit uncomfortable as she shrugged. “You know. I don’t want you going down that path again.”

“I didn’t,” I said automatically. “I mean—not the, um, unrequited infatuation.”

She tilted her head warily. “What does that mean?”

I swallowed. “We’re sort of...dating.”

She stared at me, eyes wide and dark behind her glasses. Then she turned and bellowed across the track. “Gabi!”