“I know,” she said simply, which made Dustin wonder whether she knew because she had specifically inquired about him after they had met, or whether this was news she had learned from Lolly in everyday conversation. If Tasha and Stephanie, the two chatty girls from the party, had taught him anything, it was that teenage girls seemed to talk about anything and everything with one another. Chatting was like breathing for them.

“You’re shivering,” he said.

“Only because I stopped to talk to you. Don’t worry, I’m used to the cold. I like it.”

“Can I buy you a hot chocolate at Serendipity?” He had no idea where his boldness was coming from.

Kimmie looked confused. “Steven sent you to take me to get hot chocolate?”

“No. He sent me to ask you if you would cover for your sister with your parents tonight. She’s going to be home late.” He felt immediate relief now that his mission was over and done with. “I’m the one asking if you want to have hot chocolate with me. Or a frozen hot chocolate, since you like the cold.”

Kimmie studied Dustin’s face for a few seconds, then checked her phone pretending to look at the time. When she saw she had no new texts, she looked up and smiled. “Sure, why not? But you should know I’m a feminist so I’m going to have to pay for myself.”

“Cool. I’m a feminist, too, so I’ll let you pay for mine.”

Kimmie surprised herself by laughing out loud again. But no one was more surprised at Dustin’s wit and charm than he was.

VIII

After they dropped off Vronsky’s mother at 834 Fifth Avenue, Steven joined his sister in the backseat of the Uber Select. Anna had been very quiet during the entire journey so far and he knew she was still thinking of the poor dog who had been hit by the train. And while this was true, Anna’s thoughts were also on the handsome boy who was at this moment rescuing another helpless dog. Is he a dog lover, like me?

Steven grabbed his sister’s hand and squeezed it, and as if he knew what she was thinking, he said, “Hey, thanks for coming to this dog’s rescue, too.”

They were crossing Central Park and the snow was still falling, faster and thicker than before. “Perhaps we’ll have a snow day?” she said, pretending she had been thinking of the weather.

“Dude, I’d fucking kill for one,” he responded, checking his phone to see if there was any news yet. “Sorry, I know you don’t like it when I call you ‘dude.’”