This was exactly what she’d longed to hear, and yet... it didn’t make anything better. She got the impression he was simply lost, didn’t know what he wanted and was flailing around. Trusting him again would be like walking across a bridge that had already given way and let her fall through once. Did she really want to take the risk a second time?
“Char?” he prompted when she didn’t respond.
“Would you be willing to let Lilly come live with us?” she asked, just to see how far he’d go to get her back.
“You want to bring your sisterhere?”
He didn’t sound excited by the idea. But she’d known he wouldn’t be. He wanted kids of his own eventually, but he’d indicated he wasn’t ready. So why would he agree to become the guardian of one? “She doesn’t have anywhere else to go,” she said, which, of course, he should already have known.
He hesitated. Then, obviously sensing the trap she’d just laid for him, said, “Sure, why not? This place is big enough for an army.”
Under the circumstances, it was the only way to avoid looking like a bad guy. Problem was, she didn’t believe he’d stick by those words, not once she went back to him. As soon as they ran into any inconvenience caused by Lilly’s presence—something she had to attend at the school when he wanted her to be at his game or whatever—he’d start pressuring her to make other arrangements. And that was if he didn’t change his mind aboutherand their marriage again and throw her out.
“Thank you.” She’d said it without any real feeling, but he didn’t seem to notice.
“No problem. So... does that mean you’ll be coming home sooner rather than later? I mean, as long as she can come here, there’s no reason to stay in Italy, is there?”
“I’ve already paid for the villa.”
“So? You’re missing the playoffs!”
“I have a book to write, Cliff.”
“And how much will you make off that book?”
Nothing compared to what he made. That was his point. But it was money she’d need if they couldn’t make their marriage work. “It’s mycareer.”
“I get that. But it’s the playoffs, for God’s sake! Tell your publisher you’ll get to it when you can. They’ll understand.”
Just because he could throw his weight around didn’t mean she could. She covered her eyes with one hand. “I’ll think about it. I’d better go. It’s late here, and I have to get up early and write.”
“Okay, but tune in for tomorrow’s game. It’s going to be a good one. Maybe you can get home before the next one.”
“I’ll think about it,” she repeated and told him good night before disconnecting.
A lump grew in her throat as she stared at her phone for several seconds. She’d lost more than her marriage, she realized. She’d lost faith in the man she loved. He’d proved himself to befar different than she’d once believed him to be. But she knew in her heart that she’d been turning a blind eye to his less favorable traits for a long time.
Too upset to sleep, she texted Jules.
You awake?
To her surprise, she got an almost immediate response.
Just sitting out on the deck, editing a few pictures. Something wrong?
Where’s Sloane?
Sleeping.
So was Lilly, which meant they could get away for a little while on their own.
Will you go for a walk with me?
Where to?
That restaurant—Kasai—if it’s still open. I’d like to have a glass of wine and some tiramisu.
You had me at Kasai.
