Page 92 of My Promise To Keep

‘In San Diego?’

‘That’s us.’ Oh my god. Big Blue Tattoo is the setting of the latest and biggest tattoo show on TV — and the owner is calling Leo.

‘Oh, okay.’ I giggle a little awkwardly. ‘I’m sorry I answered. I just saw you call a few times, and I wanted to make sure it wasn’t an emergency.’

‘Oh man, I’m sorry. No, no, it’s nothing like that. I guess I’m a little eager to get all the details fixed. I sent Leo a list of apartments close to the shop that will take a six-month lease.’

Huh? ‘Um, apartments?’ I question, confused.

‘Yeah, all but one can start the lease any time. That one will be vacant about a week after he arrives, so he can get an Airbnb or something for that week.’

‘Yeah.’ I’m numb. Am I hearing this right?

‘So, let him know I called, and that I emailed, and that we can’t wait to welcome him to Big Blue. Good to talk to you, Zoe.’

‘Yeah, you, too.’

He ends the call, and I stare at the phone in my hand. Leo’s going to California for six months, and he didn’t tell me.

I Won’t Go

Leo

I walk into theapartment to find Zoe sitting at the dining table.

‘Baby, you’re up.’ I smile, and she nods. ‘I got kind of a mix. I figured we could just dip in, share.’

‘Yeah, sure.’

I grab some plates and cutlery and head to the table with the food, leaning in to kiss her head before sitting and starting to pull out food from the bag.

‘Man, it smells good.’

I grin and try to meet her eye, knowing she’ll be excited about this, but she focuses on the table.

‘You okay?’ She raises her gaze and offers a small smile, but I know something is up. ‘Honey?’

‘I have cramps, that’s all. Let’s eat.’

She starts to help me dish out food and digs in, but she’s quiet, and I hate it.

‘This is good,’ I muse as we eat, and she nods.

‘It is, thank you for picking it up.’

‘Okay, Zoe, what’s going on? You love food, but you’re just pushing it around your plate.’

She takes a deep breath and puts down her fork, then looks at me.

‘You forgot your cell phone when you went out.’

‘Okay.’

‘You were getting a few calls, so I answered.’

My heart rate kicks up as I try to imagine which past conquest could have called to make her look so defeated. What could they have said? Fuck, please don’t say I’ve got a kid out there somewhere.Shit! I swallow hard.

‘Jay from Big Blue said he’s emailed you some apartments that will take a six-month lease, and he can’t wait to welcome you to the shop.’

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