“You still have some more explaining to do,”I remind him.
Ryan frowns; telling me whatever he’s hidingis bad. I can feel it.
“Can we get out of here?” he asks.
“And go where?”
“Anywhere. Bryant Park maybe, someplace wherethere isn’t a piece of metal between us,” he kicks the table.
“Fine.”
Bryant Park is about a ten-minute walk down6th street. That’s a relatively short walk when you’re in the city.And when it’s as nice as it is today, it feels like a two-minutewalk with all the street vendors vying for your attention. Ryanholds my hand the whole way, even as we weave in and out of groupsof pedestrians and across busy streets. I know I shouldn’t love it,but I do.
We finally get to Bryant Park, a green oasisnestled between towering skyscrapers. The place is absolutelyswarming with people. Luckily though, we find two free chairs, thegreen fold-out looking ones the park is known for.
We’re sitting right next to some greeneryacross from the fountain. It’s actually sort of romantic.
Ryan pulls his chair right up next to mine,our bodies as close as they can possibly be short of him sitting ontop of me. He doesn’t say anything; he just leans forward with hiselbows on his knees looking over at me. He really is something.
“I’m going to law school in the fall,” I tellhim, just to break the awkward silence.
He nods knowingly. “That doesn’t surprise meone bit. You’re the smartest girl I’ve ever met.”
“That will be determined at the end of theday.”
“Based on what?”
“Based on whether I fall for your charms ornot.”
“Which way is the pendulum swinging?”
“Not.”
“See, smart,” he says and there’s a littlebit of apprehension in his tone. “What law school are you goingto?”
“Columbia.”
His face perks up, “The city?”
“Yes, you look happy about that.”
“I am. You’ll be close. Like, very close,” hesmiles.
“And that’s really what you want? For me tobe close?”
He leans into my face provocatively,“Yes.”
“You sound so sure.”
“I am.”
“How do I know I can trust you?”
“You don’t. Just like I don’t know if I cantrust you. But I’m going on faith.”
“Are you going to tell me where you’ve beenthe last five years?”
“Yes. I don’t want to keep anything from you.It’s the first brick of me building back your trust.”