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Chapters (66)
  1. Cover
  2. Title Page
  3. Dedication
  4. Chapter One
  5. Chapter Two
  6. Chapter Three
  7. Chapter Four
  8. Chapter Five
  9. Chapter Six
  10. Chapter Seven
  11. Chapter Eight
  12. Chapter Nine
  13. Chapter Ten
  14. Chapter Eleven
  15. Chapter Twelve
  16. Chapter Thirteen
  17. Chapter Fourteen
  18. Chapter Fifteen
  19. Chapter Sixteen
  20. Chapter Seventeen
  21. Chapter Eighteen
  22. Chapter Nineteen
  23. Chapter Twenty
  24. Chapter Twenty-One
  25. Chapter Twenty-Two
  26. Chapter Twenty-Three
  27. Chapter Twenty-Four
  28. Chapter Twenty-Five
  29. Chapter Twenty-Six
  30. Chapter Twenty-Seven
  31. Chapter Twenty-Eight
  32. Chapter Twenty-Nine
  33. Chapter Thirty
  34. Chapter Thirty-One
  35. Chapter Thirty-Two
  36. Chapter Thirty-Three
  37. Chapter Thirty-Four
  38. Chapter Thirty-Five
  39. Chapter Thirty-Six
  40. Chapter Thirty-Seven
  41. Chapter Thirty-Eight
  42. Chapter Thirty-Nine
  43. Chapter Forty
  44. Chapter Forty-One
  45. Chapter Forty-Two
  46. Chapter Forty-Three
  47. Chapter Forty-Four
  48. Chapter Forty-Five
  49. Chapter Forty-Six
  50. Chapter Forty-Seven
  51. Chapter Forty-Eight
  52. Chapter Forty-Nine
  53. Chapter Fifty
  54. Chapter Fifty-One
  55. Chapter Fifty-Two
  56. Chapter Fifty-Three
  57. Chapter Fifty-Four
  58. Chapter Fifty-Five
  59. Chapter Fifty-Six
  60. Chapter Fifty-Seven
  61. Chapter Fifty-Eight
  62. Chapter Fifty-Nine
  63. Chapter Sixty
  64. Chapter Sixty-One
  65. Chapter Sixty-Two
  66. Acknowledgments

After yoga we enjoyed our time together, sometimes going for a small bite before we went to work. Sometimes we even discussed the sutras the instructor read. Sometimes we said profound things. Sometimes we made wicked comments. Sometimes we laughed, not sounding serious at all. Sometimes we lingered even after the bill was paid, drinking bad coffee. Sometimes we just exchanged glances, saying nothing. Sometimes we walked closer than we should have. Sometimes we were mistaken for a couple deeply in love. It was one of those happy times I took completely for granted. Looking back on it now, maybe had it gone slightly different, it could have been life-altering. But now it was simply a tattoo on a body that I could no longer lay claim to.

After that conversation with Griffin, we talked less and less. It was hard, being rejected. The ease we had once had with each other was gone.

One day, surveying my closet, I realized it was becoming barren. Most of my things had migrated to Elliott’s closet. I supposed it was my turn to move out next.

Elliott had returned to fine form, getting up early, going to the market, and cooking with renewed panache. I decided to postpone a trip home. Henry assured me Daddy was fine. My heart needed a break. Elliott was being kind, responsive, and reassuring of his feelings. I appreciated him. It was lovely knowing where I stood with a man.

Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty

Autumn ushered in an eagerness I had not anticipated. Elliott had returned to being an undisputed maestro in the kitchen. Right before Elle’s wedding, Aztec, the Peruvian restaurant, had opened with stellar reviews. I was very excited for Luis Pompeo. He had worked tirelessly as both the owner and chef. He was about to earn his American citizenship, and I wanted to be present for him for that. It made me think of Elliott and how excited he had been.

I was spending much of my time putting the finishing touches on Ipanema. Luckily for me, Elliott and I were in such a good place he wasn’t even jealous of Gabriel. I was very proud of my work, but each day that passed, I was becoming more and more content with our relationship.