“Because I can’t come home with you for Christmas…” I mutter to fill the silence, blinking over my rounded eyes.

“No, James. Not because you can’t come home with me for Christmas.” She glares at me. “Because you won’t. There’s a big difference.”

“I can’t leave Jesse—”

“There’s that word again!” She snaps, then glances around the cafe we’re sitting in to ensure no one’s looking. The place is practically empty. “You damn well can… if you wanted to. He’s eighteen. He’ll be fine.”

I rake my fingers through my hair. “That’s not the point. I’m not going to leave him alone for Christmas. I’m the only family he has.”

Leslie keeps her lips zipped, brows furrowing in a petulant scowl that boils my blood just a tad.

“It’s not like you even invited him to come along…” I mumble, knowing full well it’s a stupid argument.

Jesse wouldn’t have wanted to come along.

“Therein lies yet another problem, James,” she sighs. “We’ve been together for two years and I barely know your… son. He obviously doesn’t like me. We never spend any time together… I mean, you don’t even let me stay over your house. It’s like you’re purposely keeping me away from him.”

“That’s not true…”

“It is.” She grips the table in frustration, leaning in to whisper-shout at me. “I wanted you to finally meet my parents. I was hoping this would give us a push in the right direction. But as expected, you want no part of it. You’re not interested in taking our relationship to the next level, and you’re sure as shit not interested in welcoming me into your two-person family.” She sits back, gathering her purse. “So we’re done.”

“Les, just hear me out,” I stammer, my thoughts clouding up with what I think I should say. Anything I could do to fix this… Within reason, of course.

“No more excuses, James.” She stands. “We’re finished. Merry Christmas.”

And then she leaves.

She walks right the fuck out of the cafe, leaving me sitting alone at a table, staring at the lipstick on her coffee cup.

I’m not sure why I’m surprised. Things with Leslie have never really felt permanent, which clearly doesn’t work for a woman in her thirties who just wasted two years on a man she maybe should have sensed was unlikely to commit.

Leslie was the first person I’ve been serious with since high school. I suppose I’m what you would call a chronic bachelor. I’ve dated girls, but my default setting is to keep it casual.

Thinking about settling down has always caused some significant discomfort in my gut.

Relationships just aren’t at the forefront of my mind. My focus remains on building my business and providing a stable home environment for my kid.

Honestly, Leslie’s not wrong in her grievances. I have a tendency to keep Jesse in a bubble. Maybe it’s because I’m so afraid of him getting hurt, or attached. But then those things don’t seem to satisfy my inner turmoil…