I was sure he was being manipulated into this.

“Yes. I love her.”

I couldn’t let him go. I wasn’t ready. I’d never be ready. We fit together, were broken when apart.

“Tony, you can’t deny the chemistry between us, and I know she can’t hold a candle to what we had. Why can’t we try again? I swear it won’t be like before. I’m clean. No more pills. I can be a better me—for you, for us.”

He shook his head. Was that pity in his eyes? “We’ve been down this road a million times. I’m through. And I think you should move on too. Get clean for you. Get better. Get your life back on track. You’ve always been better without me, Liliana. Let’s just let each other go without the drama. Please?”

No. I wouldn’t accept it. I needed to know who I was dealing with.

“What’s her name?”

“Why do you want to know?”

Ah, defensive. So she was a secret, was she?

“There’s no need to be so guarded about her. If you’re as serious as you say you are, I’ll find out eventually. I’m just curious.”

“Fine. Her name is Sienna.”

“How old is she?”

“Does it matter? We love each other. We want to start a life together, maybe even have kids together.”

“So she’s young then.”

“God, Liliana, get over yourself. She’s twenty-three, all right? Older than when we started seeing each other.”

“Wow, you’re old enough to be her father. How’s it feel being a sugar daddy?”

“You know, I expected your resistance, but I didn’t expect you to act like a damn child. Just sign the papers and stop harassing me, okay?”

“Harassing you? What the hell are you talking about?”

“The constant texts. The voicemails. You drunk dial me all the time. It’s pissing Sienna off, and me too, for that matter.”

“No I don’t!” At least I didn’t think I did.

“Oh, really? Here, have a listen to this.” Pulling his cell phone out of his pocket, he pressed a series of buttons and held it out for me to hear. “This was from two nights ago.”

My voice on speakerphone, slurred and sounding like a pathetic, needy loser:

Hey, sexy thang. I miss you. Thinking of you and your hands all over my body. I want you back if you’ll take me. I think about you constantly. Call me. I love you, Tony. I’ll always love you. Oh, and it’s me, Lily. I’m sure you figured that out already, though. I miss you. Did I say that already? I don’t know, but get your ass over here. Puuhhleeeease?

It wasn’t one of my finer moments. I was definitely high when I left this message, but I had no recollection of doing so.