Page 62 of When Annika Met Thom

“You’ve known for a whole year? And you came home in the summer and again at Christmas and you lied to me?”

He nodded. “It seemed easier. You want a soda or something?”

“No, thanks.” Annika immediately suspected that the offer was made so he’d have the excuse to turn his back on her, so she wouldn’t be able to see his eyes. She braced herself for more lies. “I’m not staying but go ahead and do whatever you want. It seems that’s what you always do anyhow.”

“Annika! I didn’t want to hurt you.”

“And how did you figure that dumping me without telling me about it wasn’t going to hurt me?” She shook her head. “I don’t believe you even once considered me.”

“Annika, it wasn’t like that.”

“You just follow your dick wherever it leads and can’t think beyond the moment.”

He scowled. “It’s not like that,” he mumbled.

“Then it’s love. Good for you. I hope for Cerise’s sake that it lasts—or that you have the decency to tell her when it’s over for you.”

He looked up then, eyes wide. “You can’t be on her side?”

“I’m not on your side, that’s for sure,” Annika informed him.

“Then why did you come here?”

“Because I needed to see you one last time. I needed to know for sure that it was over.” She shook her head. “I’ve been confident for so long that we were meant to be together. You can’t expect me…”

“To abandon the idea without a fight.” He smiled again. “We could, you know, have dinner while you’re in town.”

“No, we can’t. We’re done, Leo. And if you don’t tell everyone back home, it doesn’t matter. I told my sister already and she’ll tell everyone.”

“She won’t believe you,” he began, then hesitated. “Wait. Which one did you tell?”

“Margritte, and she totally believed me.” Annika watched the color drain from his face, a sure sign of guilt, and that was what finally made her mad. She leaned closer. “What kind of pond scum are you to hit on my married sister at Christmas when I wasrightthere?”

“You don’t understand, Annika.”

“Go ahead and tell me. You just can’t keep it in your pants when you see a woman with a bigger bust than me.”

Instead of denying it, he threw out his hands. “How was I supposed to know in kindergarten that I’d like that? How was I supposed to know that you wouldn’t end up having any?”

“How was I supposed to know that the guy who said he loved me and proposed to me really only cared about the size of my tits?”

Leo faltered. “That’s not the only thing…”

“But it’s obviously the only important one. Wait, I’ve thought of another important thing.”

Leo looked wary.

Annika leaned closer, knowing he wasn’t going to finish her sentences this time. “How do you figure that you’re going to be any good as a doctor if you’re afraid to tell people things they won’t want to hear?” She did her best to mimic his voice. “‘Oh, Mrs. B’s tests are back, Nurse, and she has something terminal. Cancel her follow-up appointment and don’t let her book another. And, um, I’m going on vacation. Bye!’” She shook her head as his lips set to a thin line.

“That’s not…”

“How it is? It’s exactly how it is. You’re a coward. Leo, like a little kid who only wants to do the fun stuff. I’m glad to have learned this now, since walking away is easier and cheaper than a divorce. But if you’re ever going to have any kind of a practice, you’re going to have to make your peace with delivering unwelcome news.”

He frowned and looked at the floor.

There had been a time when seeing him at a loss would have made Annika step forward to console him. She was done with that.

“And actually, if you ever want to have a decent relationship, one that lasts longer than a couple of orgasms, you need to think about someone other than yourself.”

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