Together?
“I’ll get in touch with the building inspector and send those specs over to them. Yes, you too. Bye.” He hit end and placed his cell phone on the metal kitchen island, it clunked loudly.
I waited for a few minutes, hoping he would share what that was all about, however he didn’t. I even gave him the stare down, thinking he would get the hint to spill it. His silence tore into my insecurities about the man he’d turn into when I wasn’t around to remind him to slow down.
I walked back into the bathroom, more annoyed than anything, and once I was dressed, I went to the kitchen. I didn’t want to ask him what was going on, I just wanted him to tell me. To include me. Like he always did.
It was simple as that.
Did we fuck up our friendship last night?
I started to wash the dishes when I felt him come up behind me and wrap his arms around my waist, turning me to face him. He grabbed my chin, making me look at him. Placing his arms on my shoulders, he caged me in the only way he could.
“Say it,” he demanded with a shit-eating grin on his face.
I shrugged, not wanting to give him an inch. I knew I was being a child, but I didn’t care. After all we had been through, he should just know. It was a given. I narrowed my eyes at him and he laughed again, shaking his head and kissing my forehead.
“What was that about on the phone?”
“Why are you worried about things that don’t concern you?”
I couldn’t bite my tongue, I snapped, “Why weren’t you in bed this morning when I woke up? Were you hoping I’d leave so you could avoid the whole morning situation?”
He jerked back from my abrupt outburst. “Are you trying to have an argument right now? Before you leave?”
“No. I’m trying to understand what’s going on.”
“Between us?”
I nodded.
“Your flight is in four hours. Do you really want to spend the little time we have left fighting?”
“Why would we fight? Unless you regret it? Do you? Regret it?”
He scoffed out, backing away from me. “I left to get you coffee because I know you’re not a morning person. I picked up your favorite donuts too, thinking you could have something from home on the flight.”
“Oh.”
“Oh? Is that all you have to say for yourself? Do you honestly think I’d dick you over like that?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Wow.” His eyes widened.
“What do you expect, Leo? I’ve seen this song and dance with you before. You don’t do mornings, remember? It’s easier to just dip out?”
“I also don’t cuddle, but I spent the entire night awake, holding you in my arms.”
“Ugh! I’m sorry. I’m… shit…” I threw my hands up in the air in frustration. “I just panicked. I didn’t see you anywhere. We had sex and I freaked out waking up naked and alone. Thinking of all the times girls would wake up naked and alone and stumble out here in only your bedsheet looking for you. By that point, you’d already dipped out, and I was there to cover for you. Pretending like you didn’t just fuck them over.” I shrugged, feeling overwhelmed. “I’m your wing woman, remember? It’s what I do. I just never thought I’d be at the receiving end of what so many girls have already been through.”
“I see.”
“Do you?”
“I can’t change the past, Mila.”
“I know, but what about the future?”
“What about it? You’re leaving.”
“And what if I didn’t?”
He narrowed his eyes at me. “But you are.”
“What if I didn’t? What if I stayed?”
He rubbed his fingers back and forth over his mouth, clearly conflicted with my banter. “Why are you talking about what if’s?”
I didn’t allow fear to take over, I spoke with my heart, blurting, “If you ask me to stay for you, I will.”
—Leo—
Talk about putting a man on the spot.
What the fuck do I say to that?
If I told her to stay, she’d end up resenting me. I couldn’t do that to her, to us. Despite wanting to get on my knees and beg her to stay for me.
“Mila, you don’t know what you’re saying.”
“No, I do. I do know what I’m saying.”
I shook my head, utterly blindsided by this. “I mean, I know I’m good in bed, Lala, but shit, it doesn’t mean you need to change your entire future for me.”
“Don’t. Please don’t do that.”
“Do what?”
“Try to joke your way out of this. It’s happening. No matter what you answer right now, this is happening. We slept together. I’ve seen you naked, your face has been in between my legs more than my gynecologist, you’ve been inside of me. A lot. So many times last night that I can barely walk today.”
I hid back a smile and she rolled her eyes.