“We were hoping you’d say that,” Mike said as he reached into his back pocket. “Chicago’s in town tonight to play the Heat. I have two courtside seats I can’t use. I thought you might like them . . . as a small token of our appreciation.”
“I’d love to go,” Madison said, accepting the tickets from Mike. “I went to Northwestern for undergrad. I’m a huge Bulls fan.” She studied the tickets. “Boy, these really are great seats.”
Mike turned to Jack. “You don’t have any plans tonight, do you, buddy?”
With wary eyes and caution in his voice, he answered, “Actually, I was planning on spending the evening right here with my dearest friends in the world.”
“Don’t take this the wrong way,” Mike said, putting his hand on Jack’s shoulder. “But I think Tess and I would rather be alone tonight.” He looked over at Tess. “Isn’t that right, baby?”
“Alone—definitely alone. We can spend a lot of time with you tomorrow, Jack.”
They all looked at him at once.
“It looks like you’re free after all,” Madison said. “So, what do you say? Would you like to go to the game with me?”
“Uh . . . yeah, sure, why not?”
“Great. Mike told me you’re staying with them. I’ll pick you up at around five thirty. I know a terrific Indian restaurant that’s a couple of blocks from the arena.”
“Sounds great.” Jack cleared his throat again and added, “I’d like to show you that GNS article I’ve been working on for the New England Journal of Medicine.”
“And I’d love to go over it with you in detail . . . but not tonight.”
“Well, I . . . I didn’t necessarily mean—”
Mike play-pinched Jack’s cheek. “Enjoy the game, buddy.”
With a grin he had no hope of containing, Jack looked at Madison. It was at that moment that all the awkwardness and anxiety that always consumed him in her presence vanished as quickly as skywriting on a windy summer’s day.
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Error in Diagnosis Page 29