Page 91 of Jump-Start
Meanwhile, the real threat was Tim.
Tim…not me.
Not my failure. Or more like my fear of failure. I should be ashamed of myself for thinking the man with the biggest heart on the planet would ever be disappointed in me. I have to go home. After I’m done speaking to Graham, I will go pick up my purse from where I left it at the gallery and go home. It’s where I want to be the most anyway.
“I was a threat to your happiness?” Graham asks, sadness in his voice. My features fall in response, another wave of guilt washing through me.
“Everyone was. We haven’t even told Jack and Stu yet.” Well, I haven’t. Leonard spent the day with them today, so I’m pretty sure they know now, but I’m not about to point that out to my best friend when he’s already hurting.
“Okay, if we’re already admitting things we’ve been keeping from each other, here is mine. Irena and I moved in together a month ago, and we got a cat,” he says, and my jaw drops a little.
“Already?” I ask, and he gives me a little grin.
“You moved in with my brother before you even started dating,” he rebuttals, and I smack his arm with a small laugh.
“I’ve known Leonard almost my whole life, andI knew things would go very wrong. You hardly know her and probably think everything will go right,” I say, and he lets out a low chuckle, giving me an agreeing nod after. A wave of nostalgia hits me right in the chest as I stare at my best friend’s handsome face. “I miss you so much,” I say, and Graham wraps his arms around me, letting me sob into his chest.
“I can’t believe you’re crying. I’ve never fucking seen it before. It’s scary,” he replies, and I burst into laughter.
Even if it’s only for a little while, I’m happy to have my best friend back.
* * *
Grahamand I are on our way to the gallery, strolling down the sidewalks of London. It’s getting a bit colder now, but my best friend has his arm around me, his body heat keeping me warm. We’re talking about his life in New York, and I do my best not to think about Leonard sitting home alone, waiting for me. If my keys to the apartment weren’t in my purse and I wasn’t so worried someone would steal them to break in, I’d be running home right this second. But I can’t. I have to make sure Tim doesn’t steal them.
My eyes drift to the night sky to see the little starling bird following us to the art gallery. I smile up at it, happy to see Papa still watching over me in some way. All I need now is to have Leonard’s arms wrapped around me. God, I should have gone home a lot sooner instead of wallowing in self-pity and all of my doubts.
“Can I ask something that might make you hate me?” I say when we’re right in front of the gallery.
“I could never hate you, Chiara,” Graham assures me, brown eyes so similar to Leonard’s on my face.
“Seeing this gallery, even if it’s in ruins right now, does it make you regret leaving our dream behind?” I ask, genuinely curious.
“Yeah, a little. I haven’t quite figured out what to do with my life anymore, but I’ll get there. This? This has always been more your dream than mine if I’m being honest. This is the way it’s supposed to be. An art gallery that’s only yours. I was never meant to be your partner,” he says, and I feel my shoulders drop.
He’s right. He wasn’t and isn’t meant to be my partner. Leonard is. In every part of my life.
“Can I ask you something?” Graham says after a moment of us merely staring at each other, having an unspoken conversation.
“No,” I reply, and he gives my side a swift pinch. I let out a small laugh.
“Does he make you happy, truly happy?” That might be the easiest question I’ve ever had to answer because there isn’t a doubt in my mind. There will never be, that’s how sure I am about what Leonard and I have.
“Yes. He makes me happier than I’ve ever been.”
Because exploring the world with him, looking at art, immersing myself in life the way a person is supposed to, has me feeling full in a way I’ve never been. Whole. I’m whole.
“Good,” Graham replies as we step into the gallery.
“There you fucking are, you little bitch.” Ice runs through my veins at the sound of his voice. My entire body goes into attack mode, and I let it take over.
“Hi, Tim. I’m glad you’re here. We have some unfinished business to attend to,” I reply and roll up my sleeves with a disgusting smile on my lips.
Confusion spreads over his face as I tell Graham to step back and let me deal with this.
Tim might be a hell of a lot bigger than me, but I’m angrier.
CHAPTERFORTY-FOUR
