Couldhe?
I swallow. “Theo was seeing someone when we met. They were going away together for the holidays. I don’t know the details, I’m not sure how or when it ended, and, well…” I shrug.
“You think he went back to her?” she asks softly. “Without saying a word to you first? That doesn’t sound like Theo.”
No, it doesn’t. But itdoessound like the behavior of the guy my dad used to describe. Theo, the great business partner who was always off with a new woman, one he would never commit to. And maybe that was just a role he was playing, but I’ve got no reason to believe I’m the person who convinced him to stop playingit.
She looks at me. “Why haven’t you just asked him?”
My eyes fall closed. “I haven’t wanted to know. I mean, Idowant to know, but only if the answer is a good one, and I’m not sure it will be. And I didn’t want to pressure him.”
She scoops a handful of sand and lets it slide through her fingers. “Are you so scared of rejection that you’d rather live with that much uncertainty? Youdeservean answer.”
She’s right. I haven’t asked him the hardest questions because I’m scared of what he’ll say. And—most of all—I’m not sure I even deserve to be the one he chooses.
“He should have ended up with Bronwyn. Even though she’s gone, in my head…he’s still hers.”
“I’ve watched you two together this entire time, so I can say with some authority that I seriously doubt that. And he hasn’t told you how he feels, but it sounds like you haven’t told him either. Don’t you thinkhedeserves to know too?”
“You heard what he just said in the trailer about our failing marriage. I’m not sure he’d care.”
“Oh my god,” she says, throwing out her hands in exasperation. “Where have you been the past few months? Have you not noticed how often Lars makes you say crazy shit to move the story in the right direction?”
I sigh. She might have a point.
She knocks her elbow into my bicep. “Do me a favor. Stop being someone who settles for less than she deserves. Tell Theohow you feel and what you want, and if he can’t provide it, fuck him.”
I cast a sly glance her way. “Maybe you should take your own advice. With Lars.”
She slaps a hand to her forehead. “I…Bex, you’ve got to let that go. I swear to you, I’m not interested in Lars, and Lars is not interested in me.”
“Crazier things have happened.”
She snort-laughs. “I’m not sure they have, thank you. No.”
I walk back to the house, then sit in bed for a long time, waiting for him to call with my stomach in knots.
I wait and wait, but the phone never rings.
Me:I’m about to go to bed. Are you free?
Theo:Sorry, meetings are still underway, and I don’t know when I’m getting out of here.
Me:I can try to call you during my layover in Lisbon tomorrow.
Theo:I’ve got a long lunch thing so I might be hard to reach. Let’s just talk after you get home.
I swallow. If it hadn’t been for what Katrina said, I’d assume I was being blown off. A piece of me still assumes it, but I’m done watching everyone else get their happy ending. I deserve to know if I’m getting mine too.
• • •
I land in London shortly after lunchtime the next day. I was going to have to wait for a flight home anyhow…I might as well wait in London where I can, hopefully, see Theo in person.
I take the Tube into the city and navigate my way to the UK offices of Families Travel, dragging my carry-on behind me. A reasonable person would text Theo and tell him she was here,but the long lunch thing must have been a big deal if he wasn’t able to call, so I don’t want him to feel pressured.
I find the building and follow the directory inside the lobby to the seventh floor. The receptionist frowns when I walk in, but then…they probably don’t get a lot of visitors. Most, if not all, of the work is done online.
“Hi—I’m Bex Daniels. Rick’s daughter? From the U.S. office?”
