Page 79 of The Player + The Pact = I Do

“You’re coming too?”

I shake my head. “No, but his office is on my way. I can drop you off.”

“Great,” he says, slapping his thighs and standing. “Let’s go.”

Outside, he scoops up my hand and tucks it under his arm. We walk arm in arm, heading north on Madison. He starts pointing to buildings and telling me snippets of history about them or which movies were filmed there. This is the Dad I remember from when I was a kid—the interesting Dad whose every word I clung to. The Dad who knew everything.

“Here we are,” I say, stopping outside Leo’s building.

“Already?” he asks. “I was just getting started with my tour.” He grins at me and I smile.

“I have the annual pass,” I say. “So we can pick upwhere we left off next time. Are you around over the weekend?”

He nods. “Should be. Got a couple of meetings but apart from that…”

This time I initiate our hug. It’s a little less awkward than it was before. Maybe I’m less stiff. Less nervous. “Good luck,” I say. “Leo’s a good guy.”

Maybe I was too quick to ask Leo not to give him a job. Maybe he deserves a shot.

“Thanks, kid.” He gives me a wink, turns, and pushes through the revolving door to Leo’s office.

I stand and watch as he heads to the reception desk.

Maybe I was wrong about my dad. What if he’s changed? Parenthood is tough and it’s possible he just couldn’t cope with me when I was a child. But it’s different now. He’s got his life. I’ve got mine. I don’tneedhim for anything. He’s got nothing to run from.

TWENTY-SIX

Jules

Leo didn’t mention a specific restaurant when he suggested dinner, so I’m in gray joggers and a Taylor Swift tee, researching food delivery options. It will probably be for the last time. I’m going to miss living here. But it’s not just the convenience and the view. I’m going to miss Leo.

The sadness of moving out is replaced by a nugget of excitement about what’s to come. I really like Leo and I know he likes me. I want us to navigate this next part of whatever we’re doing so we can keep liking each other. I can’t remember the last time I felt that I wantedmorewith a man. This feels like a fresh start.

A fresh start with Leo—and perhaps a fresh start with my dad too? I’ll have to tell Mom that he’s back in town. She won’t like it, but I also know she won’t stand in the way of him being in my life. All those birthdays and Christmases I saw her crying when she thought I wasn’t watching… I knew she wanted my father to be with us—she wanted a family. Maybe it’s too late for a conventional family, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t fashion something out of what’s left.

My phone buzzes and I see Leo’s name as soon as I pick it up.

Running late. Can you order in some sushi?

No problem. How long do you think you’ll be?

An hour. Maybe a bit more.

No problem. Looking forward to hearing how it went with my dad.

Three dots that indicate he’s typing show up and then disappear. He probably has to focus on his current meeting. And then, while I’m staring, they reappear. And stop again. Is he distracted? Busy?

I follow up with, And sushi with you, as well!

The three dots reappear and then I get a message.

Can’t wait for sushi either. Not much to say about your dad. He didn’t show.

It feels like the seat just fell out of my chair. I’m in free fall. He must have been there. I showed him to the door.

I start to type out a message asking if Leo is sure, but then I delete it. Of course he’s sure.

I walked him to the door of your building.

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