I paused. “I just can’t take on anything until the end of the month.”
“Totally get it. I can do the ramp-up. We’re still finalizing the engagement.” He smiled and looked at me intently. “I’ll wait for you.”
I felt dizzy from the flashing lights. His attention somehow felt bolder. Was it just his marriage that had been holding him back? I wondered if they had separated and if I actually wanted to know.
“Be right back,” I said quickly.
Before he could respond, I swung open a door to the patio, cold air hitting me like an IV. I’d left my coat inside.
“Wondered if I’d find you out here,” Charlie said so quietly, I thought it was in my head.
“I’ve been looking for you,” I said, hoping Leo hadn’t followed me outside.
“Can we talk?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“Are you upset with me?”
“Why would I be upset?”
“Because I bailed on New Year’s.”
I watched the air form smoke as I shivered.
“We didn’t have to spend New Year’s together. And I had to work anyway.”
“You never even asked why I wasn’t coming back.”
“It wasn’t my business.”
I turned to face him. “Look, if you freaked out, that’s okay. I get it. We both knew this was going to be impossible. You were just mature enough to do something about it.”
His glasses were fogging up again. He took them off and shook his head impatiently. “Like I said, youdon’tknow—”
“We meet again! Charlie, right?”
I watched Charlie watch Leo drape his arm around my shoulder.
Charlie nodded. “Hey, man. Good night?”
“Great night. Hate having this one all the way on the other coast though. Trying to get her to make a move out to LA,” he said, his words slurring slightly.
“How’s that going?” Charlie asked.
“Brought you a beer,” Leo said to me cheerfully. I peered at Charlie.
Leo stepped back. “Holy shit, I’m a jackass. I totally interrupted something here, didn’t I? My bad. I’ll let you two get back to it.”
Neither of us said anything.
He looked down at his watch. “Hot tub’s at midnight. Feel free to come by too,” he added unconvincingly, looking at Charlie.
“Sure thing.”
Charlie looked at me sideways once Leo was inside.
“That’s the partner you had a crush on?”
