Chapter 17Frederick—dressed in a new pair of jeans and a short-sleeved polo shirt—jumped off the stone wall he’d been sitting on when he saw her approaching.
“You’re still here,” she said by way of greeting.
“Where else would I go?” He crooked his arm, inviting her to slip hers through.
She did, hoping he didn’t feel her trembling, and they headed down the street. She was all shaken up but couldn’t figure out whether it was added trepidation at his presence or relief that he hadn’t disappeared—or changed.
“This morning, when I woke and the place was empty, I thought for a second it had all been a dream,” she confessed. “Coming back from—I mean, I was worried about being late to meet you but then I thought, if it was all a dream, this afternoon won’t matter, since he won’t be here.”
“A
