Free Ripped at the Seams by Nancy Krulik

an uncomfortable silence in the room.
    â€œMarking his territory,” Sami heard Vin whisper to Rain.
    â€œLike any other dog,” Rain whispered back.

Seven
    Sami was sitting in the living room sketching when Vin knocked on the door on Sunday morning. “Hey, wake up, you sleepyheads!” his deep voice called through the door.
    Sami walked over and opened the door. “You’re too late, Mr. Alarm Clock,” she teased. “We’ve been up for hours.”
    Vin walked into the living room. He stopped for a moment, listening to the CD playing on the stereo. “Mmm … a Bach concerto,” he remarked. “I gather Rains not here.”
    Sami shook her head. “She went out for a run about an hour ago. Then she saidsomething about a manicure and pedicure. She’s got a big meeting over at Mollie Mack tomorrow. Sorry.”
    â€œDon’t be sorry,” Vin replied. “Who said I was here to see her? Besides, I love Bach.”
    â€œYou do?” Sami sounded surprised.
    â€œI was raised on classical music. Of course, in my house it was mostly Italian opera, but I’m a huge fan. It’s nice to have company around here. Your roommate is more the headbanger type.”
    â€œI know. But that’s kind of neat too. It’s new to me. And there are actually some good melodies hiding in there from time to time.”
    â€œGood melodies in Kid Rock?” Vin asked. “I never thought about that.” He flopped down beside Sami on the couch and looked at her sketches. “You work too hard,” he remarked.
    â€œWell, you heard Bruce. He wants to see my designs tomorrow. So I thought I’d work on a few new ones.”
    â€œOh yeah,
Bruce,
” Vin said slowly. “I wouldn’t pin all my hopes on that one.”
    Sami looked at him curiously. “You don’t like him?”
    Vin shook his head. “I just don’t trust him.”
    â€œYou don’t really know him,” Sami declared.
    â€œNot him, necessarily,” Vin admitted. “But I know a lot of people like him. Big on flashin’ cash and compliments.”
    Sami shook her head. “You’re wrong. He’s a really nice guy. And he’s incredibly supportive of my work. I mean, he might actually show some of my stuff to Ted Fromme. That’s a huge deal.”
    â€œJust watch out for him, okay?” Vin said quietly.
    â€œWhy? Do you have some sixth sense I don’t know about?” Sami teased.
    â€œJust street smarts, I guess.” He seemed to study her for a moment. “Look, I have an idea,” he said, changing the subject. “Since we both like classical music, why don’t we go hear some? The Philharmonic is performing in Central Park later.”
    â€œI’d love to,” Sami replied. “But I don’t get paid until Friday, and I don’t have any money to spend on tickets.”
    â€œDon’t worry about that,” Vin assured her. “The concert’s free. It’s out on theGreat Lawn. The acoustics stink, but it’s a good program—Bernstein, Beethoven, and Mahler. And you’d have great company.”
    Sami smiled. “You’re on.”
    â€œGreat!” he exclaimed, his brown eyes lighting up with excitement. “I’ll tell you what. I’ll go get my picnic basket and a blanket to sit on. Then well head over to Balducci’s, pick up a few sandwiches, some cannolis for dessert, and maybe a bottle of wine.”
    â€œSome what?”
    â€œCannolis. They’re a kind of Italian pastry. My grandmother used to make the most incredible ones, but the kind they sell at the bakery are pretty good. You have to try the ones that are stuffed with vanilla cream and chocolate chips.”
    â€œSounds good,” Sami agreed. “But, how much—”
    Vin shook his head. “This one’s on me,” he told her. “You can get the cannolis next