I asked, “Is there a painting that you find beautiful that you would have bought if it weren’t a good investment?”

He dipped his head to one side, looking at the Bulaceña, and smiled. “To be honest, I like the old stuff. I can be sentimental, as you know.”

I asked, “Is that why you like me?”

“Because I’m sentimental?”

“Because I’m old.”

I had intended it as a joke, but neither of us laughed. The mood suddenly turned serious.

Chet sighed. His eyes had a heavy-lidded look, which meant that he was struggling with something. “There’s no reason for you to go back to the States. Your mother’s dead and now you’re home. You could stay. Write. You could put a desk there or in the living room, where the view is better.”

I managed an impassive look, although something within me was recoiling. I had not been expecting such an offer. I struggled to find a response, something along the lines of “you can’t be serious,” but he was serious.

I said, “This is when I remind you that I am married and that you are married. And you are not leaving C. G.”

“You don’t want me to leave C. G.,” Chet said. “I’m thinking you need a place to live and I have one.”

“You want me to be your mistress?”

Chet hung his head, beleaguered. “Ting, why use that word? Even here, that is an antiquated term. You’re stuck in the eighties.” He turned his face to the wall and shifted his eyes back to me. He pointed right into my face. “Everything is so right or wrong for you, but life is not like that. There are ways of getting what you want if you’re willing to think differently.”

I said, “Chet, I don’t need your money. I have a job, and even if I didn’t, I have a place to live.”

Chet’s expression was somewhere between boredom and anger. “You can’t live with your aunt forever.”

“Why not?”

“For one thing, she’s ninety years old.”

“I would like to go home,” I said. “Can you please text Top Gun and ask him to drive me?”

“Ting—” he said, but I was already heading to the door. He put his hand on my shoulder and I pushed him off. “Oh, have I offended you? Have I offended your dignity?” He gave a sarcastic laugh. “There is Ting on her high horse again. How small do I look to you from your super height?” He threw his hands in the air. “I asked you to marry me.”

“I was eighteen.”