The older waiter approached. "You're leaving?"
"Yeah."
He looked at me carefully. "Are you Emily?"
I stopped. "What?"
"Emily?"
"Yes."
His expression changed.
Then he reached under the counter.
"I was told to give you this."
He held out a white envelope. My name was handwritten on the front.
EMILY.
My heart started pounding.
"Who gave you that?"
"A man."
"When?"
"A few weeks ago."
I took it.
"What did he look like?"
The waiter frowned, thinking. "Dark hair. Tall. Maybe around your age."
"Did he say his name?"
"No."
I looked down at the envelope. "Why didn't you give this to me when I arrived?"
"He specifically said after five."
That annoyed me immediately.
So Adrian had expected me to wait.
I tore open the envelope. Inside was one page.
Emily,
"If you're reading this, you came. I'm sorry I'm not sitting across from you."
"Please don't think I forgot."
"I remembered."
"If you're willing to hear why I'm not there, go to the old clock tower in 4th street Park."
"I'll be there until six."
A.
I stared at the note.
Then at the waiter. "Is this a joke?"
