Mick laughed. “Happy to oblige.” He reached over and snagged the remaining piece of toast and took a bite, still chuckling. “You’re such a weirdo. You look so relieved.”

“I owe you.”

“I’ll add it to your tally.” A minute later the avocado toast had disappeared down his gullet. He glanced at his watch, took another slug of coffee, glanced at the check, and peeled a few bills from his wallet. “You ready?”

Sarah’s stomach lurched, but she rose to her feet, keeping her face serene. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

*   *   *

They stepped out of the revolving door, past the doorman, and onto the bustling sidewalks of New York City, a mass of humanity streaming past in both directions, everyone seeming to have somewhere to go. Mick paused, taking it in. “Blindfolded, I’d still know I was in New York.”

“The noise?”

Mick shook his head. “The smell.” His cell phone buzzed. He pulled it out and glanced at the screen.

“Anything important?”

“Another message from Paul.” He turned the phone toward her so she could see the screen. IMPORTANT, YOU SON OF A BITCH. ANSWER THE GODDAMNED PHONE! “Such drama.” Mick slid the phone back in his pocket.

“You aren’t going to call?”

He shrugged. “Later. Everything’s always ‘important’ with Peterson. He gets especially wound up when we’ve got a new movie coming out. Loses sleep combing through the preview feedback forms, frets over the various projected box office estimates. Shits a brick at the slightest provocation. I’ll give him a couple of hours to sort it out, calm down, and then I’ll check in.”

“Okay. And for the record, New York doesn’t stink.”

“That’s not what I meant. There’s something about the quality, the texture, and taste of the air here that is unlike anywhere else in the world. Breathe deep. Smell that? It’s the scent of cultures colliding, the crush of humanity, humidity, pavement, automobiles, salted pretzels, warm toffee nuts, big dreams and broken ones. The city has got this unmistakable unique pulse that’s constantly thrumming.” He glanced up the road at the oncoming traffic. “Fewer taxis though. Used to be way more of them when I first visited. A sea of yellow cabs as far as the eye could see.” He moved toward the curb. Sarah snagged the crook of his arm.

“Would you mind if we walk? It’s not too far, and I think moving would help dissipate my nerves.” She wasn’t looking at him. However, she could feel his gaze scanning her face.

“Sure. Lead the way.”