Chapter 6

Chapter Six

Caroline

O f all the destinations Calvin could have brought me to, this isn't one I would have guessed. We're on the third floor of the iconic toy store on Fifth Avenue, open late, on holiday hours. The place is crowded, everyone toting bags laden with new purchases. Kids are running all over.

Calvin examines a blue and white stuffed elephant like he's inspecting a precious gem. Maybe he has a friend whose grandkid is having a birthday.

He pays for the toy at the checkout and we find the café on the second floor where we're surrounded by tinsel and faux trees with every imaginable decoration and toy-themed ornament.

We order two cappuccinos and a butter croissant to share. When in the Big Apple, even toy stores offer espresso. Calvin sits across from me.

Only now do I realize his face is tanned. I guess I was too angry—or hurt—to notice before.

I take a casual sip of my coffee. "Were you on vacation?"

"Uh, no. Why do you ask?"

Answering a question with a question is never a good sign. "You're three shades darker than the last time I saw you."

"Oh." He cuts a chunk off the croissant and downs it.

I'm not into game playing. I'm the quintessential New Yorker. Tell it to me straight. No time for beating around the bush. But the earlier laughter still rings in my head. Which means I'm more vulnerable than usual. Especially after this morning's meeting with my attorney.

"One day we're grabbing pizza in Little Italy, and the next, you're AWOL."

Calvin frowns, the soft wrinkles around his eyes deepening. "I just got back. You're my first stop. Even before the hospital."

I have no idea what he's talking about.

He rakes his fingers through his sun-kissed hair. The graying temples I recall are less obvious. I sort of miss them.

"Never got my email, huh?"

Frustration builds up but I hold it in. Does he really expect me to buy a lost email line? "No. I didn't," I say, abruptly.

I'm ready to tell him it's time for me to go home. Better yet, he can drop me back off at The Time Capsule Tavern so I can resume my solitary imbibing. I move to a stand and grab my coffee. Thank goodness it's in a to-go cup.

Calvin's face turns serious. "Okay, why are you mad at me?"

"Who says I'm mad?"

"Please tell me."

It takes me a couple of seconds. I don't want to come across as vulnerable. I put on my professional face. "It would have been courteous to let me know—as your friend—when you plan to go away for an extended period."

A flash of something I can't read crosses his face.

Nerves fill me. Am I coming off as clingy? Controlling?

Calvin matches my demeanor and nods. "You're right, Caroline. I'm terribly sorry. I should have said something in advance. As your friend."

He offers me the rest of the pastry which I decline and together we walk past a Lego robot that twins Calvin's size.

"I was in the opposite climate," he says, glancing at his watch. "Twenty hours ago. Temps hovering at one hundred. No breeze."

Not what I was expecting to hear. "Where were you?"

"Tanzania . . . Africa."

" What ?"

A towheaded boy, shouting "choo-choo!" sprints between us on his way to a holiday-themed train set, puttering on its track.

"It's one of the few places left on the planet with poor or no internet."

He must see the confusion on my face, because he adds, "A group of physicians joined a mission to provide medical care to mothers and young children at a local clinic. I was only meant to be there for a week but there were some unexpected matters to tend to."

"I see." I definitely do not see.

"The whole thing was a crazy rush. Visas, shots, finding coverage at the hospital."

Despite my lingering confusion, I can't think of a better excuse for not hearing from him. Perhaps I should have given him the benefit of the doubt. Calvin is a good man. I knew that but let my insecurities get in the way.

"Can you tell me about the program?" I ask, trying to bring my mindset down from the proverbial ledge.

"You really want to hear it?"

"Definitely," I say, as we navigate through a long line waiting for Santa. Calvin has piqued my curiosity. I hope I didn't come off as a jealous girlfriend. I'm neither jealous nor his girlfriend.

Calvin smiles that killer smile. "Well then, how long have we got?"