Now that it had cooled down, it was gorgeous outside, the sky so many variegated, orangey hues. By the time I got up to Brooklyn Heights, the sun was officially setting, but still the sky was a molten pink, the colors mirrored in the water.

He had an outdoor table, with a direct view of the sinking sun. He was on his phone when I approached, his brow furrowed, typing away at something. He didn’t even sense me near. I had to reach out, touch his shoulder, before settling in the chair across from him. Even when he looked up from the phone, his gaze was still confused for a moment, like he didn’t expect me to show up.

“Vera. I haven’t ordered drinks yet,” he said, his eyes darting away from mine, over to the water.

“That’s okay. I’m capable of choosing my own libations.” I opened the wine menu lying in front of me, perused it, deciding on a vodka martini. I expected him to chuckle, but he was shifty, tapping his fingers on his phone case. I found that, without his inquiries, I didn’t have much to say to him at all. I wasn’t certain how to begin the conversation.

“I’m not sure why I chose outdoors. It’s going to get cold when the sun goes down. We should try to go inside.” A waiter came to take our orders. He asked for a vodka martini, too, without looking at the menu.

“I like it. I want to stay out here,” I said, taking a sip of water.

“There are too many people, too much going on. We’re right by the park.” He pinched his nose, ran a hand through his hair.

“What, are you embarrassed to be seen with me?” I meant it as a quip, a joke. I’d never spent time with anyone who would be embarrassed to be seen with me. If anything, it was quite the opposite.

But he paused before smiling. And for a vicious, mocking moment I felt something I hadn’t in a long time: insecurity, a deep-dwelling shadow of a feeling, one that I couldn’t quite define until he plastered a benign look back on his face, pretended I hadn’t ruffled any feathers.

“Of course not. You look beautiful.” But it wasn’t the answer I wanted.

The martinis came. I gulped mine down. “Who is here, Tom? Who do you not want to spot me? And why?”