“I’m afraid you are.”
“If you do this, I really will stop helping you, Leo. I swear it.”
“Good.”
“Good?” she asks. “Did you not hear what I just said? I willstop helping you. That means I’m not going to keep begging your father for money on your behalf. You really will spend the rest of your life being broke.”
“That’s okay. Being broke isn’t as bad as all that.”
“Are you on drugs right now?”
“No, Mother, I’m not. For the first time in my life, you don’t need to worry about me, because I’m finally fine. Now, I need to run. I have to finish washing the kitchen floor before I go to work. I don’t want to be late for my shift.”
“Seriously, Leo. You must be high. Or is someone holding a gun to your head? Is it that woman?”
“I love you, Mother. I’ll come and visit as soon as I can set aside money for airfare.”
With that, I hang up and smile, feeling ridiculously proud while I wash the floor. I’m a man. A man with responsibilities and an amazingly full future ahead of him. As long as that future doesn’t fall for someone else while I finish getting my shit together…
CHAPTER 35
One Day, Twelve Hours of Testing, and One Brain-Dead Concierge Later…
Brianna
“So?” Dolores says when I arrive at home.
“My brain is completely fried. I honestly have no idea how I did,” I say, shaking my head. “Turns out, they don’t make it easy to become a barrister.”
Dolores gives me a mock-surprised look. “Really? That’s surprising. All you ever hear about the bar exams is how easy they are.”
I grin at her. “Right?”
“Mummy!” Isabelle rushes across the living room and jumps into my arms, kissing me hard on the cheek. “You’re done! Now we can play all the time.”
I hold her in my arms and plant kisses on her soft cheeks and forehead, then give her a good long hug, my heart squeezing with guilt at the number of hours I’ve kept her waiting while I study. “I’m so excited that we’ll have more time together, my little peanut.”
“Me, too!” Wiggling out of my arms, Izzy grabs my hand and gives it a tug. “Come on! Auntie Dolores and I maked a big party for you.”
I follow her toward the backyard, my gut tightening at the thought of who might be waiting for me. I can’t imagine Amber and Dane being here—not after what happened. But maybe my parents, in which case, we’ll do the whole pretend-everything’s-fine, ignore-the-elephant-in-the-garden thing.
Oh, or what if Leo’s out there? The thought of him on the other side of that door makes my heart race. Logically, I know he’s gone, but what if he’s not?
I can’t see him right now. I’m a total mess. I’ve been sweating all day and need to brush my teeth and fix my hair. Dear God, don’t let him be out there. But also,dolet him be out there because I so desperately want to see him.
I allow Isabelle to lead me out into the garden, where a table and some chairs have been set up. A small glass vase sits at the centre of the table, filled with random flowers from our beds. Four place settings surround the vase. Four. Izzy, Dolores, me, and…who?
My palms go sweaty, and I glance around for signs of him. The garden suite looks as empty as it has for the past several weeks. He’s not here. He’s halfway around the world by now.
“Who’s the extra chair for, sweetie?” I ask, trying to sound casual.
“Mr. Bananas.” Isabelle beams up at me. “Oh damn, I should go get him! He’ll be all ready by now.” She dashes back into the house, leaving me alone in the yard.
My heart sinks to my heels, solidifying what I already knew deep down. I’m madly in love with a man who is never coming back. I can’t get him out of my stupid mind because the longer he’s gone, the more I realize he was lying when he said he was only being so wonderful to get what he wanted from me. The truth that I know in my bones is that he is an amazing human being and I pushed him away with my need to judge the world. We could’ve had a wonderful life together if I hadn’t buggered everything up by acting as if I’m the smartest person in every room.
The door swings open and Dolores walks out carrying a tray of food. “We’ve been cooking up a storm. All your favourites—bacon-wrapped scallops, spaghetti carbonara, and Caesar salad.”
She means her favourites. “Sounds amazing.” I do my best to seem happy.
