I fell asleep in his arms, certain everything was going to be okay. Leo wanted to get past his anger and resentment, so he would. Then in the early hours of the night I woke up, to find he was gone. All I can think is he regrets that day, what he regrets I have no idea.
Tomorrow is my stupid book party. I’m miserable because I don’t know if he’s coming. Before the photo shoot, I would have thought it was a given. Now, I don’t know. It pisses me off just how much I’ll hate it if he doesn’t come. I try to stop thinking about it because a headache is building at the base of my skull.
He leaves for lunch with Victoria without a word. With a sigh, I give in. The headache isn’t going away, it’s only getting worse. I call and ask Jenny if she’s willing to fill in for me, I have a migraine. I can’t stay. She’s happy to. I don’t wait for her. I chicken out and don’t email or text Leo.
***
Leo
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Victoria is already seated when I arrive at Tesoros. “Leo, smile, dear you are looking ferocious today. It’s far too beautiful a day for you to be gloomy.”
“I apologize, I simply have much on my mind. Alexa’s book launch is tomorrow. You will be there.”
Her laughter fills the air. “Ah, Leo I do so miss this every day. As much as I would be delighted to attend her launch, Vincent and I will be at the cabin this weekend. My daughter is punishing the grandkids by sending them to us for a weekend without a television, computer, or internet. It will be lovely, I can hardly wait.”
Abashed at my high-handedness. “My apologies again. I know how much you treasure your time with your grandchildren and the joy you take in your time at the cabin.”
“Enough of the contrite Leandros Kaplan, it’s unsettling. You are not quite yourself today. Talk to me, my dear. I won’t tell a soul, I promise.”
I am saved by the arrival of the waitress. Once we place our order I search for another topic to turn to, so how I say what I do, I am not quite sure. “I do not know if I can ever get past the lie. I want to leave it in the past yet at the strangest moments I remember, and I cannot let go of my anger over it.”
“I adore you, Leo, you know that. I say this with love, quit bullshitting yourself. You knew she was lying about being married. The girl is one of the worst liars I have ever met. You let go of the anger you had at me when I admitted I knew she was lying, why can’t you let go of the anger you have with her?