Page 42 of When Annika Met Thom

Annika did not love that Leo wasn’t on the same proverbial page.

What had he told this Cerise person about her? She’d guess nothing. He was fond of omitting details and evading questions. He’d done that to her already this weekend. Maybe she wasn’t asking the right questions.

No. His infidelity wasn’t her fault.

It was Leo’s problem, and it would be his problem to confront alone. They were done. If he bothered to call her, she’d tell him that. If not, she’d just forget about him and move on.

She got Percival out of his cage and put on his harness, pulling the duvet into a little nest in front of herself. He must have been tired because he curled up and went to sleep as she stroked him gently and watched the movie.

Titanic. In the back of her mind, she reviewed the technical flaws they’d discussed in one of her engineering courses. This movie wasn’t going to end well, but it was a romance. The couple would end up together, conquering the odds. She could do with a bit of that kind of reassurance, especially given Thom’s emphatic argument against commitment.

She wasn’t going to consider that this might be the beginning of the new pattern of her life—an endless stream of nights alone with romantic movies and a sleepy ferret. No. Annika was going to discover all the things she’d been missing. She was going to get out there, mix and mingle, face new challenges and meet new people. She would fall in love, but next time, it would be with someone who loved her in return.

She just wasn’t going to start tonight.

She reached for her phone and cancelled her reservation to fly back to Portland, since the big plan of leaving Percival with Leo wasn’t going to work. She booked the train instead and reminded herself that it was a good thing she hadn’t given up her apartment just yet.

But still, it felt as if she was abandoning an adventure before it even started.

* * *

Thom wasn’t particularly surprisedthat he had no luck at all in the great parts search that night. His hunt was starting to feel like the quest for the Holy Grail and he wondered whether these last few parts even existed. If he hadn’t loved that bike so much, he would have given it up, sold the bike and bought another that ran. But he wouldn’t get much for it without it running—everyone who knew about that bike knew about the challenges of rebuilding it.

Maybe he should compromise. Settle for a recreated part, even though it probably wouldn’t fit right. Maybe he’d go talk to that mechanic in New Jersey again and ask for suggestions.

It was dark outside when he gave it up. He took out his earplugs and plugged in his phone, leaving it to charge. Cerberus lifted her head with curiosity, and he beckoned to her. That was enough for her to get to her feet and shake.

“One last trip to the park tonight,” he said and she went to the door, tail wagging.

It was only when Thom opened the bedroom door that he heard Annika crying.

There was proof positive that he was a jerk. He’d kicked her while she was down. He could have declined more gently. But it was too late.

He cringed at the sound, wishing he could make her stop by sheer force of will.

For a moment, he thought that might succeed. She hiccupped and blew her nose noisily, then took a gulping breath. He crossed his fingers but she started to cry even harder.

Damn.

Percival was in his hamster wheel, which made Cerberus’ ears perk up. Thom grabbed the dog’s collar before she could get ideas. There was no way to take Cerberus out without Annika seeing him.

Then she’d want to talk.

He really didn’t want to hear the whole story of how much she loved that loser.

The credits were rolling on the movie she’d been watching and she was bundled up on the couch, her hair in a tangled cloud over her shoulders. She was probably wearing that nightgown. He could see an empty tub of ice cream on the coffee table and the case from the DVD.

Thom braced himself for the worst and strode into the main room, trying to ignore the sound of her unhappiness.

“Got to take Cerberus out,” he said matter-of-factly. “Sorry to interrupt.” He kept his head down, clipped the leash on Cerberus’ collar and grabbed his jacket.

“Oh, Thom,” Annika said, her voice wavering. “Jack died!”

Who was Jack?

Thom glanced over his shoulder. She was watching him, an appeal in her eyes. Cerberus, ever helpful, wagged her tail. “Jack?”

“In the movie. They fell in love against the odds but hedied. How can that be? Now she has to go through her life without him. What kind of shitty romance is that?” The tears overwhelmed her again and she buried her face in a tissue.

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