“You and me both. But running in soaked and freezing won’t help anyone. So come on, what do you say? Let me get you a cup of coffee as an apology.”

“For what?”

“For not seeing you coming.”

Again she laughed, and again I felt that elemental familiarity. “No one ever does.”

“No, I don’t suspect they do.”

Her cheeks flushed, lips still smiling as we stepped into line. “It’s just that I’m so short,” she clarified without changing my mind. “I really am so sorry. Your poor briefcase. Please let me know if I can pay for any damages.”

“This old thing?” I held it out to inspect it. “I was due for a new one anyway.”

“It’s just that I was so silly to run without looking. I’m afraid the years I’ve been gone erased what I thought was concrete knowledge of Manhattan and how to navigate it, especially in the rain during rush hour.”

“Where were you?” I asked as we shuffled forward a step.

“England. Yorkshire, with my aunt. My mother sent me with the intent to teach me some sort of lesson, but luckily for me, my aunt doesn’t like to listen to her any more than I do. Mostly, I spent years in countryside picking flowers,” she said on a laugh that died too quickly. “But I knew I’d have to come back.”

“I for one am glad you came back. Otherwise, who would I play human pinball with in the rain?”

“I’m sure you have no trouble finding girls to bang balls with.”

A laugh shot out of me, and her cheeks flushed.

“I didn’t mean…” she sighed. “Actually I did, but I don’t know why I said it out loud. God, why am I so nervous? I think I’ve talked to more sheep than people in the last couple of years.”

“I’ve heard terrible things about sheep. Deplorable table manners.”

“And filthy minds.” She paused, watching me for a moment. “I feel as if I know you. Is that strange?”

My heart lurched. “Not at all.”

An impatient voice from in front of us snapped, “Next, please.”

We stepped up to the counter and ordered our coffees, receiving them too quickly to speak again. But when we were out of the way and face to face once more, the exit and our parting looming, we watched each other, searching for some reason, some logic.

“What’s your name?” I asked softly.

“Maisie,” she answered. “Are you sure we’ve never met before?”

“There’s no way I’d forget meeting you.” I paused, struck with sudden boldness. “Tell me we’ll see each other again, Maisie.”

She drew a shallow breath, and a blush smudged her cheeks. “Oh, I…”

My hope sank. “You have a boyfriend. Of course you do.”

“No. No, it’s not that. I want to say yes, but—”

“Then say yes.”