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She shuffles to a halt “Hello,” she says, pulling down her blue-tinted, Bono-style sunglasses to peer at me

“Hey, have you got a minute?” I ask She doesn’t answer immediately “I can pay,” I add

“Sure,” she replies “Got any cookies?”

“They’re all in the freezer, but co”

Tenan overly sweetened cup of coffee and eating a Ding-Dong I had in my purse

“So,” she says, a clot of chocolate dropping fro?”

I hesitate, then plunge in “Yes, please”

“You’re a believer now?” she says, grinning like Fat Mikey when he’s slain a rodent

“Well,” Iif maybe Jimmy had more for me than toast advice”

She shoves the last half of the Ding-Dong into her , then ss like a coret down a particularly bony fish “Let’s find out,” she says She closes her eyes and lets out a low hum “Uuuunnnnnnhhhh Uuuunnnnnnhhhh” This is new She“Uuuunnnnnnhhhh”

I sigh It’s come to this I’m an official Black Widow

“Okay, I’ someone Name starts with a J”

“I’ that would be Jimmy,” I say neutrally

“Don’t speak” She breathes again “Uuuunnnnnnhhhh Yes J It’s apan Is it Jimmy? Yes! It’s Jimmy”

I roll my eyes “Hi, Jimmy”

“Uuuunnnnnnhhhh Uhn—What’s this? He’s surrounded by food Toarlic, chicken—”

“Okay, Grinelda, you know Jimmy was a chef That’s no secret—”

“Shush I’” She opens one eye a slit “Got any s?”

“You knohat, Grinelda? Never mind I’ll just—”

“Shh! Okay He’s showingBread No, toast He says…yes Toast”

“Right,” I usted with myself than Grinelda “Check the toast Got it, Ji else?”

“He’s showing e”

Ah Noe have soiven that it’s Grinelda and all, but still I’m desperate

Grinelda peeks atto you?”

At that s

“Cell phone usage is strongly discouraged during communication from the other side,” Grinelda intones

I hit Mute and glance at the screen It’s Matt DeSalvo

Matt DeSalvo The bread et my bread to thousands of people, who could then make toast with it Myin the picture And Matt just happens to call

“He’s going,” Grinelda says, and though it’s been alh I don’t have a lot of faith in Grinelda’s special gifts, I feel a lump rise in my throat just the same

“Bye, Ji It’s no use I’ll never stophim

THAT NIGHT, I DECIDE THAT I CAN’T avoid Ethan forever I go upstairs, empty-handed, no cake, no custard, no cookies, and knock firht He’s away I just assumed he’d be back—

The elevator bell dings behindhis suitcase His eyebrows bounce up at the sight of me

“Hi,” I say My stomach cramps with nervousness

“Hi,” he says, taking out his keys “How are you?”

“I’!” I sound like the amped-up host of a children’s show, all cutesy and super-duper friendly “Feeling okay?”

“All better,” he lies I can see a shadow of a bruise along his temple

“Great!” I bleat, apparently unable to sound normal “Welp—” yes, I say welp “—I just wanted to say hi Hey, is it true you’re going international? International sales, I mean? With International Foods?” Shut up, Lucy