As she approached the car, Kate looked out through the windshield. Her stern and demanding mentor, to whose way of speaking she had grown accustomed, was covered by an unwrapped newspaper, sitting half-turned in the driver's seat. And then Kate, carefully holding the bag of food, managed to glance at her watch and involuntarily cursed. She'd been gone almost an hour, and yet Kessler had somehow managed to be devilishly patient. Perhaps he deserved thanks for his understanding.
Hooking the handle of the door with her little finger, with the pad of her big one Beckett pressed the lock button. Suddenly it gave way very easily, and the door itself was ajar, which Kate had never expected. Mentally thanking the thoughtful instructor, Beckett leisurely lowered herself into the driver's seat and gratefully looked at the fluttering newspaper spread.
- Sorry for the delay, Mr. Kessler," Kate held out her purchases to her neighbor, "if it hadn't been for the crowd of Italians in front of me, it would have been a lot faster. To save time, I had to "console" myself with the bare minimum. Here's your tea, Irwin!
Seeing that Kessler didn't react to her words, and didn't even put the paper down as if it wasn't there, Kate hummed even louder:
- "Just like you asked, with mint!
- And doughnuts? But for your forgetful attention, Kate, I actually prefer coffee," said Castle nonchalantly, glancing at Beckett over the newspaper. - I hope you still remember its variety?
She almost dropped her cup in surprise.
- My God, how? Where did you come from, Mr. Castle? - in a no-nonsense astonishment, Kate did not know how to get rid of the wretched doughnuts.
- Thanks entirely to my keen sense of smell! - Rick boastfully declared as he rolled up the paper. - It's awfully simple. I returned from a presentation, I saw a familiar car standing there, and Kessler was sitting in it with a newspaper. I decided that the old man was bored, so I asked him to switch places: I would read the front page for him, and he would do nothing for me. Imagine how my genius of persuasion worked! - Castle grinned, taking the purchases from Beckett's hands. - So here I am, about to devour his doughnuts out of desperation, and you, Kate, had better shut the door! And if she's suddenly set up by a kamikaze biker, my "sore" shoulders just can't take another financial burden!
The last words were clearly incongruous with Castle's blooming appearance, and Kate smiled in surprise to herself. It was only now that she realized that, despite her personal adamant attitude and her attempts to ward off his inordinate charm, she really missed his company. Yes, that was sometimes the case, and Kate could see that from her own example. Lightness of phrase, jocular but direct remarks, natural observation, and genuine participation in all that concerned her were abundant in Castle. And there was her honed sense of dignity, her kindness, and her ingenuousness, despite her excellent sense of humor. Probably enough for a dozen more like her. Especially since people like Castle are both hidden inside themselves and immediately visible. They are easy to communicate with, especially if there is an underlying sense of the total absence of falsity.
"I wonder what his relationships with women are like after all. What if his overt affection is just an elaborate game?"
Well, keeping her nose to the grindstone is exactly what's needed, but she'll play along with him a little, but more willingly, if need be.
Biting her lip enigmatically, Kate squinted suspiciously at Rick. He was shamelessly sucking down other people's doughnuts and tea, but under Beckett's scrutiny he suddenly stopped chewing and, slightly dazed, now sat like a hamster with his cheeks stuffed.
- Is something wrong? - Rick babbled innocently, arching his eyebrows in a childish way. - I'm in a hurry to save you time.
- Oh, nothing, nothing at all. Actually, I'm in no hurry," answered Beckett smoothly, but the unsettling conversation with her mother was still on her mind. It seemed imperceptible, but Kate sighed deeply and heavily, then nervously clenched her fists on the steering wheel, then furrowed her brow sternly. There was so much living, genuine sadness in her face that Castle suddenly jerked forward, and the poor cup in his powerful fist crunched pitifully. The sound was so loud and sudden that Beckett even involuntarily and fearfully recoiled.
- Hey!" said Castle benevolently. - If you give me the coordinates of that very room, for your own peace of mind, I'll take care of it alone!
- Room? What room? - Kate was genuinely astonished, feverishly pondering the course of his thoughts.
- The one with the generator of your disgusting mood! - Rick nodded gravely.
- And what do you intend to do with it? - Beckett rounded her eyes as she looked at Castle's silly, innocent face: He was certainly a jerk, but hand on heart, it made him unusually cute and even homely.
- I'll smash you to bits! - He assumed a comical boxing stance. He seemed to be quite fond of bragging. - You can trust me!
- You do? - Kate smiled reservedly, rolling her eyes merrily. It seemed that a little bit of seriousness was exactly what the man needed. - What is so indestructible you are confident in?
- A thousand tricks of the computer mouse! With all that experience, I'm pretty good at it! - He nodded so often, swinging slightly, that the back of his head nearly bumped against the counter, but realizing that it was a mistake, he immediately gave himself a solid, nonchalant look. He stroked the short-cropped back of his head and adjusted the seat-belt to his figure, and raised his forefinger in front of him.
- All jokes aside and gas to the floor! - Rick pursed his lips, noticing Kate's sly smile as she took hold of the ignition key. - "And, by the way, without a short refueling in the air, a timely return is impossible," Rick said, not responding to Beckett's ironic chuckle, and then bowed his head slightly.
- What's that got to do with me agreeing? It's no other way Kessler messed up the water here! - risked indignation Kate, but immediately realized that Castle did not deserve even five minutes of her discontent. When your heart and soul feel better, your mood also rises rapidly. However, that doesn't mean that subjects like Rick should be given a pass at all. His ego is so inflated that it simply does not fit within the bounds of decency. Nevertheless, he has a harmlessness about him, too. And a sense of tact, too, by the way.
- No, he's a very kind old man. It's just that I'm very careful," he told her confidentially, and then, as if frightened away by the scent of cherries, he pulled away. - And if you are attentive, collected and obedient, at the end of the class we will have a cup of delicious latte and fragrant, caramel-scented doughnuts. Okay?...
...For the next hour and a half they drove around the city in good faith, talking only about business. It even seemed to Beckett that there was not one Castle sitting next to her, but two. Rick gave clear, concise instructions, sternly demanding their rigorous implementation, and then suddenly noisily, cheerfully glad of Kate's success, as if it was not she who drove the car, and he himself. Learned by bitter experience, Beckett did not forget to furtively look at the clock, because her planned lesson had long ended, but Castle, it seems, had a different opinion. Rejecting every possible and impossible restriction, Rick defiantly shoved his chronometer into the glove compartment and clasped his hands on the back of his head resting on the headrest with an indescribably affectionate look. And Castle's society didn't bother Beckett at all; in a way, it even appealed to him. Surely not every student would have the honor of studying with such a, not quite ordinary, instructor. And let his books still find their way into the hearts of readers, just for the open, kind character one could already say a huge and heartfelt "thank you.
The car turned from a narrow street onto a busy avenue, and just after a couple of blocks Castle signaled to stop. This humble café on the corner wasn't even a branch of Starbucks or Dunkin' Donuts, just a small, cozy joint that knew Castle perfectly well.
A skinny kid in a cream shirt and matching apron removed the "Occupied" sign from the table by the window and bowed gallantly to his dear guests. Kate carefully sat down on a cushioned chair, and Rick, snapping his fingers, meticulously examined the menu, and then sat down opposite. His face lit up with a joyful glow.
- Tough day, Kate? - he asked sympathetically, staring intently at her pretty, slightly pouty lips.
- It's easier now, Rick! - Kate set her purse down on a nearby chair and ran her hands over her temples, fixing her hair. - If memory serves me right, one of us has a trademark eloquence. May I ask who?
- You may! And I swear, miss, you won't regret it! - Rick nodded cheerfully. Waiting until the waiter set plates and cups in front of them, Castle raised his eyebrows questioningly, clasping his hands together in front of him.
- So where do we start?
Their dialogue must have looked quite amusing from the outside. The broad-shouldered man, gushing about something to his miniature companion, waving his hands animatedly, not forgetting to smile charmingly. His movements looked impulsive, even jerky, but the girl, unhurriedly going over her plait with her thin, musical fingers, only smiled sweetly, reservedly. Perhaps she was used to her companion's boisterous eulogies, and was no longer surprised by the appearance of anything, but the bite of her lower lip, the sly squint, and the playful glint of her eyes clearly spoke of her undisguised interest in her interlocutor.
At last, the man's eloquence wore off with the drink. He put his index finger to his lips, something like a sign of silence, Castle put his free hand on the edge of the table, and the other clutched a cup with the rest of the coffee.
- Well, that's it! - As the cold drink slid down his throat, Rick squinted merrily and shivered comically. - Brrrr! Technically, I'm exhausted, and thanks to my "numb" vocal cords for a couple of days, I'll talk in a hoarse bass voice and scare girls in elevators. One way or another, I need my rest!
- It's a good thing it's over," Kate grinned, glancing openly at her watch, "or else I'd have had to give you a good banging!
Rick was so surprised that he almost let the cup out of his hands.
- Devil, has my company bored you so much? Or maybe disappointed? Perhaps I should leave at once?
-No, but I think someone's memory is too short! - She unyieldingly raised her eyebrows, but her eyes laughed. - You're the one who asked me to go. You asked me to do it in the first class.
-Ah, damn, you got me! - And why am I suddenly indiscreet again?
- Because you are evidently against the proper restraint, but it is a thing correctable, - said Beckett with a restrained chuckle. - And thank you very much for the evening, Rick! You're a delightful mood maker!
Kate beckoned the waiter, went into her purse for her purse, but Castle stopped her in a confident motion.
- Don't get sprawled out over the little things! Save yourself, dear Kate, and great things await you!
Beckett wanted to object, but his resolute, unapproachable look made it clear that Castle is not only able, but willing and able to insist on his own. Well! A little concession to a big and inimitable child does not detract from her merits in the slightest! Kate's face lit up with an understanding, soft smile, and sensitively picking up her mood, Castle noisily, loudly rejoiced. It seemed as if he would rejoice even at the huge, stuffed bear in her hands. While Beckett was still confused in her thoughts, marveling at the versatility of his personality, Castle had already left the lad a substantial tip. With a satisfied, even blissful smile, he rose from the table and, with a polite nod to a fussy "Thank you," gallantly gave his hand to Kate.
They walked out into the street. Evening was approaching, and the sullen shadow of the forty-story skyscraper on the opposite side of the avenue crept inexorably toward the front of the café. Castle swiveled his head as if to look for a car, in reality parked about twenty yards away, and, with a sigh of deepest regret, let go of Beckett's hand.
- May I walk you out? You? - Rick corrected himself instantly, shifting awkwardly from foot to foot, blinking his face into the dust as if he were dipping into it.
- Don't, Rick, not yet," Kate gazed intently at his face, biting carefully at his lower lip, "I won't be far away.
- I'm sorry if I seem pushy, but can I at least give you a ride to the subway? - With a tragic sigh Castle obediently bowed his head, and then, looking sideways, with a hilarious face, added. - It's even closer than yours is not far.
- Do you think so? - Beckett smiled warmly. Certainly his chagrin looked genuine, and why wouldn't she agree? Rather than his insistence, his casual insistence would probably allow her to be with him for a few more minutes. And he didn't need to know exactly what was behind her pliability. Maybe she simply enjoys his chatter, sometimes sweet and naive, and sometimes logical and strikingly sober-minded. Or maybe it was all in the secret excitement of his cologne, from whose pleasant aroma a whole swarm of light-headed goosebumps darted between her shoulder blades, and a tiny sweat broke out on her temples.
- All right! - Kate cheered Rick up with an open, disposing smile. - In that case, I'll lead the way!
With a cheerful nod, Castle handed Beckett the keys, and after a few minutes of silence they drove up to the subway entrance. Turning off the engine, Kate pulled the metal bracket of the door lock when suddenly Castle shoved a thick white envelope at her unabashedly.
- I didn't know when I'd get the chance. Since your spirits are soaring, this is for you.
- What is it? - Beckett raised her eyebrows in amazement, and Castle almost withstood her nagging look, which could not be said about the color of his face. Crumpling the envelope with her fingers, Kate tried to look through the package, but to little avail. She wondered what kind of surprise awaited her. Putting the package away in her purse, Beckett reached outside, pulled on her blouse, and stared at Castle, who had moved into the driver's seat right out of his. Without taking his transparent, honest eyes away, Rick, however, swallowed convulsively.
- You know, it's such a mystery that even I don't know," Castle confessed, turning the ignition key pink up to his ears. - All I had to do was use a glue stick.
Without waiting for an answer, Rick slammed the door shut harder and pressed the gas, driving away a piece of her regret somewhere inside her. A very, very imperceptible one, but one so palpably tangible.
Uncertainly biting her lips, Kate stared after him for a long time, not noticing that she was standing in the roadway, and only the tearful humming in her back made her step off onto the sidewalk. Ignoring the curses in her wake, Beckett strode leisurely toward the subway downstairs.
