"Let me think about it."
"Think about what? You have to come!" She sniffled. "Bring Leo too. I want to meet him. Please, this is really important to me—"
I was silent for a long time.
Ella's words flashed through my mind, and Leo's hopeful voice.
Maybe I really should let go of the past and start a new life.
Besides, I missed Sophie more than I realized.
"Okay," I finally said.
"Really?" Sophie's voice lit up instantly. "You really said yes?"
"Really."
She screamed on the other end.
"Perfect! I'm booking a hotel right now! No wait, you're staying with me! I have a guest room! Leo can play with Jason, he loves kids—"
I listened to her chatter, the corner of my mouth curving up involuntarily.
Five years.
She hadn't changed at all.
After hanging up, I stood in the shop.
Phone still in my hand, the screen gradually darkening.
Go back.
Back to New York.
Back to the place I thought I'd forgotten.
I turned my head, looked at Leo.
He was still drawing, head down, little hand gripping the crayon, coloring stroke by stroke.
"Leo."
"Yeah?"
"Want to go to America?"
He looked up, those green eyes brightening.
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"When are we going?"
"Next month," I said, walked over, crouched beside him. "To see Sophie get married."
"Awesome!" He jumped up excitedly. "I can finally ride on an airplane!"
