“Why? He doesn’t need to do that.”
“I need to make sure you’re okay, since I can’t be here with you. You don’t know your way around Westfordshire. And he could use the distraction as well.”
“What’s going on with him, anyway?”
“I’ll explain when we have more time. That’s not a conversation that should be rushed.”
That left me unsettled.
“It’s late,” he said, standing. “I’d better get back, but I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”
He walked to the door. He looked so painfully handsome, his golden brown hair slicked back off to the side. At thirty-three, Leo was sexier than ever. If anything, he was more physically fit than I remembered. His periwinkle blue sweater hugged his broad shoulders and muscular chest.
“Try to get some sleep tonight,” he said before walking away.
He didn’t hug me again. It seemed surreal to have been standing across from the man I still cared so much about and not be able to touch him. It was as close to pure torture that existed.
* * *
Leo
Track 21: “Goodbye My Lover” by James Blunt
The moon was bright against the dark, night sky as I pulled onto our property. Dread mixed with guilt followed me inside as I opened the front door.
Darcie waited for me in the foyer, which likely meant she’d been watching from the window until I arrived.
I don’t fucking blame her.
Her arms were crossed protectively over her chest. “That took long enough.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I still don’t understand how she didn’t Google you and figure out you were married.”
“I understand your confusion.” I removed my jacket and hung it up in the coat closet by the door.
“So then explain,” she demanded.
“Come sit with me for a moment.”
She followed me into the adjacent living room. We sat down.
“When my relationship with her ended, we agreed not to keep in touch if we weren’t going to be together. She must have chosen not to search the Internet for information on me.”
“And somewhere along the line, she realized she’d made a mistake and wanted you back? So she just hops on a plane without calling first? Who does that?”
There was no good way to spin this situation. I could already see the wheels turning in Darcie’s head. I reached my hand out and placed it on hers. “I know you’re upset.”
“What now?” She pulled her hand back. “Is she going home?”
“She’s staying for a week. She and I need to talk through some things. Nothing more. I don’t want her to return to the US so shocked and hurt. We just need to process this before she goes.”
She gritted her teeth. “I want to tell you to go fuck yourself right now, Leo. But I’m not entirely sure that’s the answer. Whatever you still apparently feel for this woman isn’t going to go away, even if I take that stance.”
“I wouldn’t blame you if you told me to fuck myself, Darcie. I really wouldn’t. I’m sorry to have put you in this situation. But I need you to trust that I would never cheat on you, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
She let out a long, frustrated breath. “So when are you going to see her again?”
“Tomorrow.”
“Jesus,” she muttered. “I suppose this is what I get for agreeing to marry you so hastily. You told me yourself when we first got together that you were still in love with her. I should’ve known better.”
“If you recall, you’d barely gotten over Gabriel when we started dating.”
That was irrelevant now, but I was desperate to take some of the attention off me.
“Gabriel? You’re going to bring him into this? I’ve long moved on from him. Gabriel is not going to be showing up at my door unannounced years later. For God’s sake, Leo.”
“You’re right. I shouldn’t have brought him up.” I looked at her with pleading eyes. “Darcie, I’ve never lied to you. And I don’t plan to start now, all right?”
She tapped her foot against the floor. “What time are you seeing her tomorrow?”
“Probably the afternoon. I’ll only be gone a couple of hours. And Sigmund will be with us, if that makes you feel better.”
She raised her voice. “Actually, it doesn’t. You point that out as if I would have a reason to worry if he weren’t with you.”
“That wasn’t how I meant it.”
My wife stood. “I’m going to bed. I waited up long enough.”
“Darcie…”
She whipped around. “Please just let me be.”
Feeling completely beat and emotionally drained, I sat in silence, alone for a while. I deserved every bit of her attitude.
After a few minutes, I ventured into the kitchen, where Camila was still awake making some tea. While most of the staff lived off-site, Camila had always been a live-in employee.
Years ago, before my return trip to the US, I’d confided in Camila about falling in love with an American girl. While I hadn’t opened up to her like I had my grandmother, Camila certainly knew more about my life than my parents did.